Chambliss Chapter 2

Importance of Social Research

• Social research aims to explore, explain, and evaluate different phenomena.

• Illustrative examples include:

  • Alfred Kinsey’s Studies: Documented diverse sexual practices leading to greater sexual openness today.

  • Gunnar Myrdal’s Work: Addressed institutional racism, influencing landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education.

  • Broken Windows Theory: Shaped police practices significantly and remains controversial.

• Social research affects various domains, including advertising, drug treatment programs, and social policy.

Formulating Research Questions

• A social research question focuses on inquiry about the social world. These may arise from:

  • Personal experiences of researchers.

  • Existing research literature.

  • Social theories.

  • Requests from governmental agencies.

Good Research Questions

• Good research questions require refinement and evaluation based on:

  • Feasibility: Time and resources to conduct the research.

  • Social Importance: Will the answer have significant societal impacts?

  • Scientific Relevance: Does it address gaps or contradictions in existing research?

• Example question: Does arresting spouse abusers deter repeat offenses?

Understanding Theory

• Theory: A logically interrelated set of propositions about empirical reality.

• Theories guide research focus and direct testing of specific propositions (e.g., Deterrence Theory vs. Labeling Theory).

• Deterrence Theory Predictions: Arrest deters crime based on perceived negative consequences.

  • Labeling Theory Predictions: Arrest increases likelihood of reoffending due to stigma and label.

Research Strategies

• Deductive Research: Starts with theory then tests hypotheses with data.

• Inductive Research: Begins with data to develop theory.

• Both strategies can interact and inform each other, represented in the Research Circle.

Research Designs

• Cross-Sectional Design: Data collected at one point in time, useful for snapshot comparisons across groups but cannot measure changes over time.

• Longitudinal Design: Data collected over multiple time points enables tracking changes and cause-effect relationships. Types include:

  • Trend (Repeated Cross-Sectional): Different samples over time.

  • Panel Design: Same individuals surveyed at multiple time points.

  • Cohort Design: Follows individuals sharing a same characteristic or experience over time.

Units of Analysis

• Individual Unit of Analysis: Focus on individual behavior.

• Group Unit of Analysis: Focus on behavior of groups; care must be taken to avoid the ecological fallacy, which incorrectly infers individual behaviors from group data.

• Consider counter effects where specific policies impact groups differently than individuals.

Research Validity and Reliability

• Research must be methodologically sound, with clear consideration of validity and reliability in design and execution.

• Good descriptive research informs and shapes later deductive and inductive inquiry by establishing basic phenomena.

Conclusion

• Feasible, scientifically relevant, and socially significant research questions yield impactful studies.

• A comprehensive understanding of the research process enhances the efficacy and credibility of findings in social science.

Importance of Social Research

Social research is a critical tool utilized to explore, explain, and evaluate various social phenomena. It not only aids in understanding the complexities of human behavior and interactions but also informs policies and practices within society. Here are some illustrative examples highlighting the impact of notable social research:

• Alfred Kinsey’s Studies: Conducted in the mid-20th century, Kinsey's research on sexual behavior documented a wide array of sexual practices across different demographics. His findings challenged prevailing sexual norms, contributing to a greater sexual openness and more informed conversations regarding sexual health and rights today.

• Gunnar Myrdal’s Work: In his seminal book "An American Dilemma," Myrdal addressed the issues of institutional racism and its systemic consequences in the United States. His research was pivotal in influencing landmark judicial decisions such as Brown v. Board of Education, highlighting the importance of social research in effecting social change and promoting civil rights.

• Broken Windows Theory: Developed by social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling in the 1980s, this theory postulated that visible signs of disorder (like broken windows) contribute to a rise in crime. This idea significantly shaped police practices and urban policies, emphasizing proactive measures for maintaining order but also sparking controversy over potential racial profiling and over-policing in communities.

Social research permeates various domains such as advertising—where understanding consumer behavior is crucial—drug treatment programs, and the formulation of social policies that directly affect community well-being.

Formulating Research Questions

A well-framed social research question stimulates inquiry about the complexities of the social world. These questions may originate from diverse sources:

• Personal Experiences: Researchers often draw on their own encounters and observations as a starting point for inquiry.

• Existing Research Literature: A review of current literature can reveal gaps or emerging issues that necessitate further exploration.

• Social Theories: Established theories can guide research questions by providing a framework for understanding specific social phenomena.

• Requests from Governmental Agencies: Public agencies often seek research that addresses pressing social issues, thereby creating avenues for targeted studies.

Good Research Questions

Good research questions require meticulous refinement and evaluation based on multiple criteria:

• Feasibility: Consideration of the time and resources necessary to conduct research effectively.

• Social Importance: Assessing whether the findings will have a significant societal impact.

• Scientific Relevance: Ensuring that the question addresses existing gaps or contradictions within the current research landscape. For example, a pertinent research question might be: "Does arresting spouse abusers effectively deter them from committing further offenses?"

Understanding Theory

Theory can be defined as a logically organized set of propositions that relate to empirical reality, aiding in the interpretation of phenomena.

• Role of Theories: Theories guide research by setting the focus and allowing researchers to test specific propositions. Two commonly discussed theories in the context of crime include:

  • Deterrence Theory: This theory posits that the fear of punishment can deter criminal behavior, suggesting that visible enforcement of laws leads to reduced crime rates.

  • Labeling Theory: In contrast, labeling theory suggests that arrest and subsequent criminal labels can stigmatize individuals, increasing the likelihood of reoffending due to societal labels attached to criminal behavior.

Research Strategies

There are various strategies employed in social research:

• Deductive Research: This approach begins with an existing theory and tests specific hypotheses through empirical data collection.

• Inductive Research: In contrast, this method starts with observations or data to develop a theory or general understanding. Both strategies dynamically interact and inform one another, often depicted within the Research Circle framework.

Research Designs

Research designs are critical in determining how data is gathered and analyzed:

• Cross-Sectional Design: This design collects data at a single point in time, which is useful for making comparisons between different groups but does not account for changes over time.

• Longitudinal Design: It involves collecting data over multiple time points, which permits tracking of changes and examination of cause-effect relationships. Key types include:

  • Trend (Repeated Cross-Sectional): Involves surveys of different samples over time to identify patterns.

  • Panel Design: This captures data from the same individuals surveyed multiple times, offering insights into changes at the individual level.

  • Cohort Design: This follows a group of individuals sharing a specific characteristic or experience across time, providing valuable longitudinal data.

Units of Analysis

• Individual Unit of Analysis: When focusing on individual behaviors and characteristics in research.

• Group Unit of Analysis: This examines group behaviors but must avoid ecological fallacy, which makes erroneous assumptions about individuals based on group data. Researchers also need to be aware of counter effects, as policies may impact groups differently than they affect individuals.

Research Validity and Reliability

It's essential for research to be methodologically robust, ensuring valid and reliable designs and executions. High-quality descriptive research lays the foundation for effective deductive and inductive inquiries, enhancing our understanding of various phenomena.

Conclusion

Research questions that are feasible, scientifically relevant, and socially significant lead to impactful studies. A comprehensive understanding of the research process not only enhances the efficacy of findings but also increases the credibility of social science as a discipline.