Handout - Research Methods

Page 1: Key Terms and Research Methods Overview

Key Terms

• Survey (p. 38): A method where individuals respond to questions for data collection.

• Population (p. 39): The entire group of individuals sharing specific characteristics.

• Sample (p. 39): A subset of the population selected for the survey.

• Representative Sample (p. 39): A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the larger population.

• Questionnaire (p. 40): A set of written questions for respondents to answer.

• Interview (p. 40): A method where a researcher asks questions directly and records answers.

• Closed-Ended Questions (p. 40): Questions that provide a limited set of responses.

• Open-Ended Questions (p. 41): Questions that allow respondents to answer in their own words.

• Secondary Analysis (p. 42): The use of pre-collected data for new research.

• Field Research (p. 42): Research conducted in a natural environment.

• Case Study (p. 42): An intensive study of a specific group or event.

• Participant Observation (p. 42): A research method where the researcher becomes part of the group being studied.

Research Methods Overview

• Quantitative Research: Uses numerical data, often through surveys or existing data.

• Qualitative Research: Focuses on descriptive data to provide in-depth insights, often through field studies.

• Common Approaches: Surveys are common in sociological research, used to analyze large populations effectively.

Page 2: Effective Survey Conduct and Sampling

Conducting Effective Surveys

• Surveys must target the appropriate population for accurate results.

• Population Definition: Represents the complete group with the traits of interest, e.g., all high school seniors.

• Sampling: Due to population size, researchers use samples—limited cases drawn from the larger group.

Sample Types

• Representative Sample: Must reflect the population's basic characteristics for valid results.

  • Example: Randomly selecting students from the cafeteria instead of an advanced class improves representation.

• Census Bureau: Employs sampling to maintain accuracy in large-scale data collection.

Selecting Representative Samples

• Random Selection: Creates representative samples through chance, ensuring each population member has an equal selection opportunity.

• Utilizing random number tables can simplify the selection process.

Page 3: Information Gathering and Question Types

Gathering Survey Information

• Data can be collected through questionnaires or interviews.

  • Questionnaires: Respondents answer written questions independently.

  • Interviews: A trained researcher facilitates questions and records responses.

Question Types

• Closed-Ended Questions: Restrict responses to predetermined options, enhancing comparison but potentially missing deeper insights.

  • Example: Multiple-choice format.

• Open-Ended Questions: Allow respondents to express attitudes in their own words, which can offer nuanced understanding but are harder to quantify.

  • Example: Asking respondents to describe the importance of education to them.

Page 4: Open-Ended Questions and Secondary Analysis

Open-Ended Questions

• These questions require subjective input from respondents, revealing deeper attitudes, yet complicate data analysis.

• Interviewer bias can emerge if questions are rephrased, affecting the outcome.

Secondary Analysis

• Definition: Utilizes existing data collected by others, respected in sociological research (e.g., Emile Durkheim's work).

• Data Sources: Government records, reports by other social scientists, vital statistics.

  • The Census Bureau is a vital source, providing comprehensive demographic data every decade.

Advantages of Secondary Analysis

• Cost-effective and high-quality information is often available for researchers.

• Historical data allows for longitudinal studies.

• Researcher cannot influence data as it has been pre-collected.

Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis

• Data may not perfectly meet current research needs as it was intended for different purposes.

• Existing information could be outdated or collected under biased methodologies.

Page 5: Field Research Overview

Field Research

• Definition: Examines social phenomena in a natural setting, revealing aspects that can't be measured quantitatively.

• Common Topics: Subcultures, peer dynamics, etc.

Case Study Approach

• Definition: In-depth investigation of a single group or incident, with findings potentially generalized to similar circumstances.

• Researcher must highlight unique factors affecting generalization.

Participant Observation

• Researcher engages in the group being studied, potentially without revealing their researcher identity.

• Example: John Howard Griffin's undercover study on race relations by posing as an African American.

Participant Observation Examples

• Elliot Liebow studied African American males through participation, illustrating the integration between researcher and subjects in natural contexts.

Page 6: Ethical Research Practices

Code of Ethics in Field Research

• Researchers are obligated to adhere to ethical standards protecting subjects involved in their studies, ensuring respect and integrity.

Table: Theoretical Perspectives and Research Methods

• A table illustrates different methodologies aligned with functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, all addressing school violence and funding through surveys, case studies, and participant observation respectively.

Page 7: Section Assessment and Research Definitions

Section Assessment

• Definitions and applications of key terms such as population, representative samples, and surveys are assessed through matching.

• Hypothetical scenarios are provided to encourage critical thinking around bias and sample representation in findings.

Critical Thinking Prompts

• Stimulates analysis regarding sample representations in disaster contexts and favours of research methods based on study topics.

Page 8: Summary of Research Methods

Summary of Research Methods

• The table synthesizes different sociological research methods, detailing their definitions, advantages, and disadvantages:

Survey Research

• Advantages: Precision, comparability, large sample size potential.

• Disadvantages: High costs, low response rates, potential bias in question phrasing.

Secondary Analysis

• Advantages: Inexpensive, useful historical data.

• Disadvantages: Data appropriateness and biases in original data collection.

Field Research (Qualitative)

• Advantages: Comprehensive understanding, depth of insights.

• Disadvantages: Time-consuming, interpretation bias, challenging member acceptance.