research methods Flashcards
8 stages of scientific method
- defining the problem
- reviewing literature
- formulating the hypothesis/research question
- selecting a research method(design)
- selecting the sample
- measuring variables
- collecting and analyzing data
- developing conclusions
sociological questions
- factual: what happened
- comparative: did this happen everywhere?
- historical: has this happened before?
- theoretical: why does this happen?
variable
- measurable trait
- dependent variable is subject to influence of the independent variable
validity
refers to the degree in which the results reflects the phenomena under study
reliability
refers to the extent which the results are consistent
research design
different ways of conducting research
- quantitative or qualitative
quantitative
gathering information and data in numerical values
- analyze data in statistical manners
- can gather info from a lot of people quickly
secondary data analysis
research techniques that make use of previously acquired information and data
qualitative
research that relies on what is seen in the field and in naturalistic settings
- collect data through interviews, content analysis, ethnography
- why things happen
theory
generalizations that explain, predict or interpret social behavior
value of neutrality
- max weber
- researchers cant let their feelings get in the way of their research
code of ethics
calls for objectivity and integrity in research, confidentiality, and disclosure for all sources of financial support
different ways of knowing
there are different ways of knowing and understanding the world. knowledge comes from different sources and we need ways of learning from these different sources
thoughts of post modern sociologists
social world cannot be expressed by a single paradigm
- take into account different ways of knowing
traditional ways of knowing
a cumulative body of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations maintained and developed by peoples with extended histories of interaction with the natural environment. These sophisticated sets of understandings, interpretations and meanings are part and parcel of a cultural complex that encompasses language, naming and classification systems, resource use practices, ritual, spirituality and worldviews” - unesco
critical thinking
asking targeted questions and carefully assessing evidence that involves 4 central components
public sociology
michael burawoy made the discipline of sociology more accessible to the public
- the digital journal global dialogue provides accessible papers on diverse research questions
components of critical thinking
- questioning facts
- questioning basic values
- asking questions
- questioning the status quo
hawthorne effect
unintended influence that observers of experiments can have on their subjects
operational definition
an explanation of an abstract concept that is specific enough to allow a researchers to assess the concept
major research designs
- surveys (questionnaire or interviews)
- observation (ethnography)
- experiment
- secondary analysis (existing sources)
principles of the code of ethics
- maintain objectivity and integrity in research
- respect the subjects right to privacy and dignity
- protect subjects from personal harm
- preserve confidentiality
- seek informed consent when data are collected from research participants or when behaviors occurs in private context
survey
- questionnaires/ interviews
- pro: yields info about certain issues
- con: expensive and time consuming
observation
- ethnography
- [os: yields detailed info about specific groups
- involves months/years of labor intensive data
experiment
- deliberate manipulation of peoples social behaviour
- pros: yields direct measures of people behaviours
cons: ethical limitations
existing source/ secondary analysis
- pros: cost efficient
- cons: limited to data collected from some other purpose
