Understanding Social Problems. Sociology 230 Dr. Babcock Unit I Chapter 1: Research

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Understanding Social Problems. Sociology 230 Dr. Babcock Unit I Chapter 1: Research"

Gwen McKinney
5 years ago
Views:

1 Understanding Social Problems Sociology 230 Dr. Babcock Unit I Chapter 1: Research

The Scientific Method 1. Formulate a research question 2. Review the literature 3. Define variables 4. Formulate a hypothesis. 5. Choose a research design including sample 6. Collect data 7.

2 The Scientific Method 1. Formulate a research question 2. Review the literature 3. Define variables 4. Formulate a hypothesis. 5. Choose a research design including sample 6. Collect data 7. Analyze the data (pl) 8. Draw conclusions 9. Publish results (Chart on the right shows the cyclical nature of research. While the steps may be a bit different from our list above, the process will be the same)

Variable Any measurable event, characteristic, or property that varies or is subject to change. Must operationally define the variables we study. specifies how a variable is to be measured.

3 Variable Any measurable event, characteristic, or property that varies or is subject to change. Must operationally define the variables we study. specifies how a variable is to be measured. The Independent Variable (IV) causes change in the Dependent Variable (DV) Sex, race, age, education, religion, class, political party, occupation, and income are typical variables of interest to social scientists. SES is a composite variable made up of income, education and occupation

4 Hypothesis/Hypotheses A prediction about how one variable is related to another variable. The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that the researcher wants to explain. The independent variable (IV) is the variable that is expected to explain change in the dependent variable. Can you identify the IV and DV in the following? Sociology majors attend class more frequently than non-majors Smokers have a higher probability of contracting cancer than do non smokers Null Hypotheses will be supported or disproven: Hyperactivity is unrelated to eating sugar. All daisies have the same number of petals. Males drive more aggressively than do females

5 Methods of Data Collection Surveys Observation Secondary data research Experiments

6 Survey Research Steps

7 Survey Sampling Survey research involves eliciting information from respondents through questions. An important part of survey research is selecting a sample of those to be questioned. A sample is a portion of the population, selected to be representative so that the information from the sample can be generalized to a larger population.

8 Interviews In interview survey research, trained interviewers ask respondents questions and make written notes about or record the answers. One advantage of interview research is that researchers are able to clarify questions for the respondent and follow up on answers to particular questions. The transcripts are analyzed using qualitative methods

9 Questionnaire Researchers may develop questionnaires that are mailed, or given to a sample of respondents. Questionnaire research is less expensive and less time consuming than surveys and provides privacy to research participants. The disadvantage of mail questionnaires is that it is difficult to obtain an adequate response rate.

10 Mailed Surveys

11 Computer as Interviewer A popular method of conducting survey research is asking respondents to provide answers to a computer that talks. Research finds that when topics are sensitive, as with sexual surveys, respondents rate the computer more favorably than face-to-face interviews. Computer interviews tend to be more reliable.

12 Observational Field Research Field research involves observing social behavior in settings in which it occurs naturally. In participant observation the researcher participates in the phenomenon being studied to obtain an insider s perspective. In unobtrusive nonparticipant observation the researcher observes the phenomenon being studied without actively participating.

An advantage of using secondary data in studying social problems is that the data are readily accessible,

13 Secondary Data Research Secondary data are data that have already been collected by other researchers or government agencies or that exist as historical documents. An advantage of using secondary data in studying social problems is that the data are readily accessible, so researchers avoid the time and expense of collecting their own data. The disadvantage is that the researcher is limited to the data already collected.

14 Experiment A research method that involves manipulating the independent variable to determine how it affects the dependent variable. Not very common in Sociology more often in Psychology

15 Milgram Experiment Stanley Milgram found that 65% of a sample of citizens were willing to use harmful shocks on an elderly man with a heart condition because they were instructed to by the experimenter. It was revealed that the man had been part of the experiment.

16 Asche Conformity Study

17 Bystander Apathy Experiments A. Notice that something is happening. B. Interpret the situation as one in which help is needed. C. Assume personal responsibility. D. Choose a form of assistance. E. Implement the assistance. B. Bystanders ignore the man on the ground END

Asking & Answering Sociological Questions

Chapter 2 Asking & Answering Sociological Questions 1 Scientific Method (p. 36) Sociology is a science because it requires a systematic method of investigation The scientific method is organized around