Four Major Research Designs

1. Principles of Sociology
Four Major Research Designs

2. Surveys
 A survey is a study, generally in the form of an
interview or questionnaire.
 It provides researchers with information about
how people think and act.

3. Observation
 Observation or direct participation is closely
watching a group or organization.

4. Experiments
 An experiment, two groups of people are
selected and matched for similar
characteristics, such as age or education.
 The experiment group is exposed to an
independent variable; the control group is not.

5. Secondary Analysis
 Secondary Analysis refers to a variety of
research techniques that make use of
previously collected and publicly accessible
information and data.
 An example such as census data.

6. Secondary Analysis
 Secondary Analysis refers to a variety of
research techniques that make use of
previously collected and publicly accessible
information and data.
 An example such as census data.