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.