Chapter 2 - Sociological Research 2.1 Flashcards
2.1 Approaches to Sociological Research
Scientific Method
involves asking a question, researching existing
sources, forming a hypothesis, designing a data collection method, gathering data, and drawing
conclusions
How do sociologists avoid subjectivity?
sociologists conduct experiments/studies that gather and analyze empirical evidence
from DIRECT experience
Empirical Evidence
information gathered through observation, experimentation, or measurement, either qualitative or quantitative
Scientific Process: Does What? Why?
A scientific process of
research establishes parameters // to help make sure results are objective and accurate
Scientific Methods Does What? Why?
Scientific methods
provide limitations and boundaries
// to focus a study and organize its results (OR to collect, interpret, and analyze data)
Systematic Observation
observing and recording behaviors or events in a structured way (ex: categorizing seen behaviors in a checklist vs. writing down all behaviors)
The first step of the scientific method (apply to sociology perspective)
- Ask a question, usually about role of social characteristics in outcomes
- Select a problem
- Identify area of interest
Give examples of step 1
how do different communities fare in terms of psychological well-being, community cohesiveness,
range of vocation, wealth, crime rates, and so on?
Are communities functioning smoothly?
Second step of scientific method
Research existing sources through a literature review
How do you know your first step is good to go?
Topic is narrow enough to study within a geographic location & time frame
What should you ensure for your topic in research method?
It’s specific, down to geographic location & time frame, but also has universal merit (not being too narrow & having some usage)
What should you achieve in your 2nd step of scientific method?
- gain a
broad understanding of work previously conducted - identify gaps in understanding of the topic
- position their own research to build on prior knowledge.
What should you ALWAYS ensure in step 2 of scientific method?
Any work that informed you, or is used in your study, must be referenced properly & never plagiarized
Third step of scientific method
Formulate a hypothesis
Hypothesis
an explanation for a phenomenon based on a conjecture about the relationship between the
phenomenon and one or more causal factors
How is a hypothesis in a sociology perspective usually done?
the hypothesis will often predict how one form of
human behavior influences another, ex: “IF crime unemployment increases, THEN the crime rate will increase”
Hypothesis includes what variables? define these variables
Independent variable + dependent variable
IV = cause
DV = effect or thing that is changed
For step 3, how would a sociologist do this?
researcher would establish one form of human behavior as the independent
variable and observe the influence it has on a dependent variable, ex: “How does gender (IV) affect rate of income (DV)?”
Step 4 of the Research Method
Design & conduct a study
Why is designing a study important?
To maximize reliability
What increases reliability?
Accurate tools & methods, ex: “using a measuring cup instead of hand for a cooking project”
Reliability
how likely research results are to be replicated if the study is reproduced, ex: “cooking book”
Validity
how well the study measures what it was designed to
measure
Operational definition
define each concept, or variable, in terms of the physical or concrete steps it takes to objectively measure it.
// It identifies an observable condition of the concept
