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Scientific knowledge
Uses empirical methods. Sociology is a “social sciencee”
Sociological Reasoning
Combines empirical methods with theory. Concepts of socio reasoning are abstract ideas expressed as a phrase such as “social class.” And variables are categorial properties of people or things such as a “marital status.”
Concept
An abstract idea expressed as a word or phrase.
Variable
A categorical concept to measure people or things.
Deductive Reasoning
When you start with a theory, then you test it. Theory, hypothesis, data collection, findings, hypothesis confirmed or rejected, then the revision of the theory.
Inductive Reasoning
You start by gathering data, and then you try to derive a theory from that data. observation and findings to the theory.
Goals of Sociological Research
Explore (understand abt unknown phenomenon), Describe (detailing of features of a group or process), Explain (identify and clarify aspects), Evaluate (asses needs for outcome), Empower (clarify problems, and improve strategies).
Literature Review
What is already known about a topic using sociological databases.
Narrowed Focus
Making research doable by operationalizing variables.
Research Design
Proposed design for conducting research.
Data Collection
The process of gathering information for research.
Data Analysis
Compiling data into a format that aids understanding of the research problem.
Draw Conclusions
Interpreting what the data indicates.
Report Findings
Disseminating research results to further knowledge.
Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2)
guiding research ethics policy for research involving humans
Ethics Approach
A framework to ensure research does not harm subjects.
Respect for persons
Individuals have basic human rights and must be treated with dignity.
Concern for Welfare
Focus on the well-being of individuals and groups.
Confidentiality
Maintaining privacy of research subjects.
Justice
No person or group should be exploited for research.
Anonymity
Hard to achieve; truly only in double blind studies where researcher does not know who the participant is.
Confidentiality
Responsibility of researcher to mask identity of participant; keep identifying information secret.
Qualitative methods
Use triangulation, combining techniques like interviews, observations, focus groups, and document analysis to gather data.
Quantitative methodology
Measures or tests hypotheses to explain a phenomenon using deductive reasoning. They ensure reliable, replicable, and valid results, with tests repeated and statistical measures confirming accuracy.
Experiments
Test hypotheses; involve random assignment to conditions.
Independent variable
The presumed 'cause' in an experiment.
Dependent variable
The 'effect' in an experiment.
Control group
A group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment.
Survey strengths
high response rate, detailed information, relationships among many variables
Interviews
Verbal question-and-answer technique eliciting qualitative data.
Focus groups
A moderator interviews a small group of people simultaneously.
Secondary Data Analysis
Analyzes data that comes from someone else. for example: Statistics Canada, diaries, websites.
Content analysis
A method for analyzing written, verbal, or visual communication.
Ethnography
Fieldwork in real-world environments to gather qualitative data in a natural setting. As for what it's like being a member of that group, the researcher can be a participant or observer; it can be long and over and covert.
Variable
Categorical concept to measure properties of people and things.
Deductive reasoning
Top-down, hypothesis testing, theory driven approach.
Inductive reasoning
Bottom-up, theory building, data driven approach.
Operationalization
Variables defined to be precisely measurable.
Reliability
The variable is consistently measured (time, researcher, place, etc.).
Validity
We measure what we intend to measure (measures the intended concept).
Tri-Council Policy statement
Guiding research ethics policy for research involving humans.
Survey
Quantitative method using a questionnaire to collect responses from respondents.
Interview
Verbal question-and-answer technique eliciting qualitative data.
Why Sociological Research is important
to differentiate commonsense knowledge and scientific knowledge.
How can you make your research doable
Narrowed focus: Operationalize variables, consider reliability, replicability and validity, and develop a hypothesis.
How to test hypothesis’
random assignment to conditions
independent variable which is the cause
the dependent variable which is the effect
the control group
Difference between a lab experiment vs a field experiment
Lab experiments are controlled in a setting, while field experiments take place in real-world environments with less control.
Use of a representative sample
Closely approximates the population of interest, which means the group you are researching.
Survey limitations
validity and respondent accuracy
