Knowt
Module 6
Research Design in Sociology
Research design is a detailed method for collecting data scientifically, influenced by theories and hypotheses.
The choice of research design impacts project cost and time.
Key research designs include:
Surveys
Ethnography
Experiments
Existing sources
Surveys
Surveys collect information through interviews or questionnaires.
Common applications include political polling and consumer behavior studies.
A representative sample is crucial for accurate survey results.
Challenges faced in modern surveys:
Increasing reliance on cell phone surveys; as of 2019, 61% of US households reachable only via cell phone.
Difficulty in reaching populations without landlines, skewing results (e.g., health issues and binge drinking prevalence).
Issues with survey response rates among cell phone users, including ignoring calls and call interruptions.
Legal constraints: federal law requires hand dialing cell phones, restricting automated dialing methods.
Online Surveys
Web-based surveys are low-cost but raise concerns about accuracy and validity.
Importance of careful question wording to avoid bias and misunderstanding.
New census categories reflect changing societal structures (e.g., same-sex relationships).
Two survey methods:
Interview: Higher response rates; allows for follow-up questions and deeper engagement.
Questionnaire: Cost-effective for large samples but may reduce depth of response.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Quantitative research focuses on numerical data and is most common in surveys, providing less depth.
Qualitative research focuses on in-depth understanding, often using ethnographic methods.
Ethnography
Ethnography involves firsthand studies of social settings, often through participant observation and interviews.
Case Study: Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed highlights the experiences of low-wage workers.
Challenges faced by ethnographers include gaining acceptance in unfamiliar groups and maintaining research objectivity.
Visual Sociology
Visual sociology utilizes images and films for research.
Introduced as an important aspect of sociological investigation in the 1830s.
Can provide insights into social environments, norms, and behaviors through visual records.
Example: Sarah Young's study on nutrition among young mothers using photography to highlight food insecurity.
Experiments
Experiments test cause-and-effect relationships through controlled conditions.
Key concepts:
Experimental group: exposed to variables.
Control group: not exposed.
The "Hawthorne effect" describes influence observers may have on subjects' behavior.
Existing Sources
Secondary analysis uses previously collected data for new research purposes, avoiding the Hawthorne effect.
Challenges include data gap and potential bias in original data collection.
Content analysis systematically codes and records data to uncover patterns.
Applications and Implications
Understanding the impact of research designs is vital for sociologists.
The choice of method affects findings and subsequent social policy implications.
Caution advised against basing decisions on faulty data.
Key Terms
Applied Sociology: practical application of sociological research.
Content Analysis: systematic examination of communication content.
Control Group: group not receiving the experimental treatment.
Ethnography: detailed study of cultures through immersion.
Experiment: method manipulating variables to determine effects.
Hawthorne Effect: change in behavior when being observed.
Interview: direct questioning for data collection.
Observation: watching behaviors in natural settings.
Qualitative Research: in-depth investigation of social phenomena.
Quantitative Research: statistical analysis of data.
Questionnaire: structured written survey instrument.
Research Design: overall strategy for conducting research.
Secondary Analysis: analysis of existing data.
Survey: systematic collection of information from samples.
Visual Sociology: study of society through visual representation.
