Chapter 2: Conducting Research Part 2

Why are ethics important in research?

To protect research subjects from harm and ensure fair treatment.

What organization provides ethical guidelines for sociologists?

The American Sociological Association (ASA).

What must social scientists never do?

Violate privacy, harm subjects physically or psychologically, or deceive subjects in ways that cause harm.

What must social scientists always do?

Treat subjects with respect and inform them of their rights.

Why were Tea Room Trade and the Stanford Prison Experiment considered unethical?

They involved violations of ethical principles and caused harm or privacy concerns.

What is secondary analysis?

The analysis of information that was
originally collected by others.

What are examples of secondary analysis?

Crime statistics and U.S. Census data.

Why is secondary analysis popular among students?

It is relatively inexpensive and the data already exists.

What is an advantage of secondary analysis?

It saves time and money.

What is a disadvantage of secondary analysis?

Researchers are limited to data already collected by others.

Why do researcher share they findings?

To share their findings so that
others may learn about what they studied. Also, by sharing their findings, someone
may want to replicate the research to see if they get the same findings.

What are some issues faced when conducting social science research?

1. The world is constantly changing

2. The presence of researchers may
   affect human behavior

3. Human behavior cannot be studied with the precision of the physical sciences

4. It is difficult to be objective

Why can findings change over time?

Social attitudes and behaviors change

What examples of changing attitudes are mentioned in the notes?

Divorce, same-sex marriage, and marijuana.

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

The tendency for people to change their behavior when they know they are being observed

What is another term for the Hawthorne Effect?

Reactivity

Why does the Hawthorne Effect create problems for researchers?

People may not behave naturally when they know they are being watched.

Why can't human behavior be studied with the same precision as physical sciences?

Human behavior is not 100% predictable.

What do social scientists look for instead of perfect prediction?

Patterns and trends in behavior

Why is objectivity difficult in social science research?

Researchers are human and may have personal beliefs about their topics.

How can researchers reduce bias?

By following ethical guidelines and practicing value-free research

What is the difference between pure and applied research?

Pure research increases knowledge; applied research studies problems and proposes solutions.

Why is replication important?

It verifies findings and demonstrates reliability.

What are the four major research methods discussed in the notes?

Survey research, experiments, participant observation, and secondary analysis.