SOCI CH 2: Sociological Research Methods and Ethics

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