research methods Flashcards
what is research
The systematic process of data collection for producing knowledge
- Sociological research is distinct because it is social in nature
what does Social research examine
- Groups, societies, social interactions
- Addresses patterns, comparisons, relationships, and meanings in social life
- Involves people, organizations, or social systems
- Analyzes aspects of people’s experiences that go beyond the biological or psychological
what is the scientific method
a procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting data through observation and experiment
what is one thing research must be
empirical - statements of possible facts, hypothetically be proven true or false
- Empirical research differs from normative or anecdotal statements - tend to be expressions of opinion or the recounting of an individual (one time experience)
what is the independents vs dependent variable
D = The outcome we are seeking to understand
I = The concept purported to be the cause
what is causation vs correlation
causation = X causes Y - Difficult for researchers to demonstrate that a particular relationship is causal
correlation = X may be related to Y, but the relationship may not be a valid or spurious (fake; illegitimate)
basic research vs applied research
B = Directed at gaining fundamental knowledge about some issue
A = Designed to produce results that are immediately useful in relation to some real-world situation
generlizability of a sample meaning
If it is possible to assume the patterns and relationships among the sample in the research to hold true for the broader population
meaning of representitive samples
The people in the sample have characteristics typical of people in the broader population the researchers seek to analyze
- If the sample is representative, the researchers can make the case that their findings provide a good representation of overall population studied
ethical responsibilities when collecting data and conducting social research
- Unethical to make up data or to plagiarize other people’s work
- Minimize any risks of harm to the participants
- Get informed consent from each participant - requires that the participants be told the purpose of the research, what they will be asked to do, and any risks prior to participating – also must be given the chance to withdraw their participation at any time
5 ways Social Scientists collect data
- surveys
- interviews - detailed answers
- participant observation
- ethnography - studies how groups of people live by understanding it from their point of view
- content analysis - Involves counting elements of a text or can involve more interpretive and relational elements (Good reflection of society at the time)
example of content analysis study
HATTON AND TRAUTNER, 2011 - “ ‘EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OBJECTIFICATION?’ THE SEXUALIZATION OF MEN AND WOMEN ON THE COVER OF ROLLING STONE”
- 1967 – 2009: Rolling Stone Covers
- 726 Images of men; 280 images of women (1,006 covers)
- coded for things like: clothing/nudity, pose, mouth, text, body parts
- FINDINGS = Stark increase in the sexualization of both men and women and the hypersexualization of women
what is data analysis
The process of reducing the mass of raw data to a set of findings that provide the basis for making conclusions
quantitive vs qualitative data analysis methods
quantitive = Typically presents an analysis of data based on numbers
qualitative = Typically presents an analysis of data based on words and images
ways quantitive data is collected
Typically gathered through questionnaires (survey) - responses are transformed into numbers and analyzed using data analysis techniques or statistical software
quantitive data advantages
- Can collect data on a large portion of the population at one time
- Generalizable (Findings can be extended to groups of individuals who were not included in the original study)
- Efficient and cost effective
quantitive data disadvantages
- Under served populations (ex: homeless; older adults; differently abled individuals; individuals who live in rural areas) are less likely to be surveyed e.g. no access to internet
- There is no context to understand why people answered the way that they did
ways qualitative data is collected
Typically, gathered through interviews, focus groups or ethnographic research (living amongst your subjects)
- Examine or interpret a research question to discover underlying meanings or patterns of relationships
- may use words, pictures or objects to describe and give context to the research question
qualitative data advantages
- There is context to understand why individuals make choices or answered a question in a particular way
- Individuals may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics with a researcher rather than simply filling out a questionnaire
qualitative data disadvantages
- takes time (interviewing multiple subjects; living with or observing individuals in their social setting) - transcribe and analyze peoples answers
- Fewer participants - results less likely to be generalizable to other populations
- Individuals may feel less comfortable discussing sensitive topics with a researcher rather than simply filling out a questionnaire
reliability meaning
Extent to which research results are consistent
validity meaning
Whether research results accurately reflect the social phenomena being studied
3 conditions to demonstrate causation
- Show that the supposed cause is associated with the supposed effect - If a change in the cause occurs, a related change should be observed in the effect
- Demonstrate that the cause comes BEFORE the effect (not after)
- must be able to eliminate all other possible alternative explanations for the effect
