Sociological Research Methods

Issues of Interest

• What do sociologists research?

• Structures and functions of various features in society

• Rates of behavior• Stability and change

Issues of Interest• Goals of Sociological research:• Describe• Predict• Explain• “

A social scientist’s work is never done.”

Correlation vs. Causation• Sociologists want to uncover the

causal connections between events

• Study cause/effect by examining relationships between variables– Independent Variable: variable that

causes a change in another variable

–Dependent Variable: variable that is changed by the independent variable

Correlation vs Causation• Example:• In a study of teenage

drug use, sociologists want to know what factors impact drug use. First they see if drug use is lower among students who are on the honor roll.

• What is the IV?• What is the DV?

Correlation vs Causation• Student

Response:• Think of your

own sociological study: What is the independent variable? The dependent variable?

Causation vs Correlation• 1st step in cause/effect is to see if there is a correlation

• Correlation: when a change in one variable is regularly associated with a change in another–Correlations may or may not be

causal!–Positive Correlation: both variables

change in the same direction–Negative Correlation: variables

change in opposite directions

Correlation vs Causation• Student Response:• Think of an example of a

positive correlation• Think of an example of a

negative correlation

Correlation vs Causation• WARNING

: Correlation does NOT imply causation!!

Correlation vs Causation• For something to cause

something else 3 things must be present:–Correlation–Time order–Ruling out alternative

explanations

The Research Process

• Step 1:• Define the problem• Step 2:• Review the literature• Step 3: • Form a hypothesis

The Research Process• Step 4:

• Choose a research design• Step 5:• Collect the data• Step 6: • Analyze the data• Step 7:• Present the Conclusions

Research Methods: Types of Research• Quantitative:• Focuses on data that can

be measured numerically

• Qualitative:• Focuses on interpretive

descriptions & direct observations

Research Methods• Survey Research:• An interview,

questionnaire or survey administered to a large group of people–Strengths: collect info from large

# of people in short amount of time

–Weaknesses: misinterpretation, lying, bias

Research Methods• Experimental Research:• Tests the way in which an

independent variable affects a dependent variable in a controlled setting–Strengths: can control IV’s–Weaknesses: may not always be

applicable

• Observational Research:

• A direct observation of subjects’ reactions

• Detached: subjects not aware• Participant Observation:

researcher directly involved–Strengths: observe behavior in

natural setting–Weaknesses: Detached – miss

details; Participant – influence behavior

Research Methods

• Analysis of Existing Sources:

• Historical Method: toys, clothes, diaries

• Content Analysis: count # of times word, symbol, etc appears in a context–Strengths: easy to use and

inexpensive–Weaknesses: may not provide

enough info

Research Methods

Research Methods• Case Study Research:• Intensive analysis of a person,

group, event or problem• May employ other methods to

one focus–Strengths: provides in-depth view–Weaknesses: may lack

generalizability

Research EthicsGuidelines:1. Do no harm2. Informed Consent3. Voluntary Participation (public

place exception)4. Report all information

accurately5. No conflict of interest or dual

relationships with subjects