Submit Search
Upload
201.04 Sociological Research Methods(1).ppt
•
Download as PPT, PDF
•
0 likes
•
2 views
W
welduweldegebriel1
Follow
sociological investigation
Read less
Read more
Education
Slideshow view
Report
Share
Slideshow view
Report
Share
1 of 32
Download now
Recommended
201.04 sociological research methods
201.04 sociological research methods
Pam Green
Chapter 2 4th ed
Chapter 2 4th ed
derrickgriffey
Chapter2 4thed2 150120000310-conversion-gate01
Chapter2 4thed2 150120000310-conversion-gate01
Cleophas Rwemera
Methods of research
Methods of research
adamwahidi85
Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life
Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life
IndayManasseh
Practical Research 3 qualitative importance.pptx
Practical Research 3 qualitative importance.pptx
RobertCarreonBula
The Nature of Qualitative Research
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Yayan Iswanto
SOCIAL RESEARCH.pptx
SOCIAL RESEARCH.pptx
rupasi13
Recommended
201.04 sociological research methods
201.04 sociological research methods
Pam Green
Chapter 2 4th ed
Chapter 2 4th ed
derrickgriffey
Chapter2 4thed2 150120000310-conversion-gate01
Chapter2 4thed2 150120000310-conversion-gate01
Cleophas Rwemera
Methods of research
Methods of research
adamwahidi85
Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life
Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life
IndayManasseh
Practical Research 3 qualitative importance.pptx
Practical Research 3 qualitative importance.pptx
RobertCarreonBula
The Nature of Qualitative Research
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Yayan Iswanto
SOCIAL RESEARCH.pptx
SOCIAL RESEARCH.pptx
rupasi13
Psychology four major forms of research
Psychology four major forms of research
Busines
9. principles of social research
9. principles of social research
saiyangoku
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Carlos Molina
Sociological Investigation.ppt
Sociological Investigation.ppt
PedroGarcia837789
The scientific method
The scientific method
Greg Kleponis
Ch1
Ch1
sociologystudent
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
FauziatunNisa1
Qualitative research design
Qualitative research design
MR. JAGDISH SAMBAD
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
Macionis c02 (1)
Macionis c02 (1)
Imuzi Thompson
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
kilgore1
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
SheenaOcutareDellima
Research and its types
Research and its types
Rijitha R
case studies.pptx
case studies.pptx
KrishnaveniManubolu
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
helzerpatrina
Qualitative research design in research in education
Qualitative research design in research in education
Rashna Asif
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
kwing
Methodology 2 09-14
Methodology 2 09-14
Eric Strayer
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
More Related Content
Similar to 201.04 Sociological Research Methods(1).ppt
Psychology four major forms of research
Psychology four major forms of research
Busines
9. principles of social research
9. principles of social research
saiyangoku
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Carlos Molina
Sociological Investigation.ppt
Sociological Investigation.ppt
PedroGarcia837789
The scientific method
The scientific method
Greg Kleponis
Ch1
Ch1
sociologystudent
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
FauziatunNisa1
Qualitative research design
Qualitative research design
MR. JAGDISH SAMBAD
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
Macionis c02 (1)
Macionis c02 (1)
Imuzi Thompson
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
kilgore1
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
SheenaOcutareDellima
Research and its types
Research and its types
Rijitha R
case studies.pptx
case studies.pptx
KrishnaveniManubolu
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
sociologyexchange.co.uk
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
helzerpatrina
Qualitative research design in research in education
Qualitative research design in research in education
Rashna Asif
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
kwing
Methodology 2 09-14
Methodology 2 09-14
Eric Strayer
Similar to 201.04 Sociological Research Methods(1).ppt
(20)
Psychology four major forms of research
Psychology four major forms of research
9. principles of social research
9. principles of social research
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Insocio lecture 2 sociological research process lecture
Sociological Investigation.ppt
Sociological Investigation.ppt
The scientific method
The scientific method
Ch1
Ch1
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
ETHNOGRAPHY. presentation for advanced classroom action research
Qualitative research design
Qualitative research design
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
Macionis c02 (1)
Macionis c02 (1)
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
Week 2: Sociological Investigation
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
Practical Research- Chapter 1.pptx
Research and its types
Research and its types
case studies.pptx
case studies.pptx
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
SociologyExchange.co.uk Shared Resource
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
Write a critical analysis post discussing the following questions .docx
Qualitative research design in research in education
Qualitative research design in research in education
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
Introduction To Survey Research 1204374176684974 5 (1)
Methodology 2 09-14
Methodology 2 09-14
More from welduweldegebriel1
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.09 Interaction, Groups and organizatios.ppt
201.09 Interaction, Groups and organizatios.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
Chapter One -1.ppt
Chapter One -1.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.12 Gender.ppt
201.12 Gender.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.03 Important Sociological Concepts.ppt
201.03 Important Sociological Concepts.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.02 Developing a Sociological Perspective and Imagination.ppt
201.02 Developing a Sociological Perspective and Imagination.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.01 3 Selections on the Nature of Society.ppt
201.01 3 Selections on the Nature of Society.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201 Sociological Views of Social Change.ppt
201 Sociological Views of Social Change.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.08 Deviance.ppt
201.08 Deviance.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.05 Culture.ppt
201.05 Culture.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.06 Socialization.ppt
201.06 Socialization.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
201.10 Social Stratification.ppt
201.10 Social Stratification.ppt
welduweldegebriel1
sociology.pptx
sociology.pptx
welduweldegebriel1
Anthropology Module.pptx
Anthropology Module.pptx
welduweldegebriel1
Anthropology to be.pptx
Anthropology to be.pptx
welduweldegebriel1
Module-2_Defining-GBV_Slides_FINAL.pptx
Module-2_Defining-GBV_Slides_FINAL.pptx
welduweldegebriel1
More from welduweldegebriel1
(18)
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
201.07 Population, Ecology, Urbanization.ppt
201.09 Interaction, Groups and organizatios.ppt
201.09 Interaction, Groups and organizatios.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
201.18 Educational Systems and Institutions.ppt
Chapter One -1.ppt
Chapter One -1.ppt
201.12 Gender.ppt
201.12 Gender.ppt
201.03 Important Sociological Concepts.ppt
201.03 Important Sociological Concepts.ppt
201.02 Developing a Sociological Perspective and Imagination.ppt
201.02 Developing a Sociological Perspective and Imagination.ppt
201.01 3 Selections on the Nature of Society.ppt
201.01 3 Selections on the Nature of Society.ppt
201 Sociological Views of Social Change.ppt
201 Sociological Views of Social Change.ppt
201.08 Deviance.ppt
201.08 Deviance.ppt
201.05 Culture.ppt
201.05 Culture.ppt
201.06 Socialization.ppt
201.06 Socialization.ppt
201.10 Social Stratification.ppt
201.10 Social Stratification.ppt
sociology.pptx
sociology.pptx
Anthropology Module.pptx
Anthropology Module.pptx
Anthropology to be.pptx
Anthropology to be.pptx
Module-2_Defining-GBV_Slides_FINAL.pptx
Module-2_Defining-GBV_Slides_FINAL.pptx
Recently uploaded
Software Engineering Methodologies (overview)
Software Engineering Methodologies (overview)
eniolaolutunde
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
Marc Dusseiller Dusjagr
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
Sayali Powar
How to Configure Email Server in Odoo 17
How to Configure Email Server in Odoo 17
Celine George
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
heathfieldcps1
MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION format.docx
MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION format.docx
PoojaSen20
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
anshu789521
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
nomboosow
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Sapana Sha
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
9953056974 Low Rate Call Girls In Saket, Delhi NCR
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
RoyAbrique
KSHARA STURA .pptx---KSHARA KARMA THERAPY (CAUSTIC THERAPY)————IMP.OF KSHARA ...
KSHARA STURA .pptx---KSHARA KARMA THERAPY (CAUSTIC THERAPY)————IMP.OF KSHARA ...
M56BOOKSTORE PRODUCT/SERVICE
_Math 4-Q4 Week 5.pptx Steps in Collecting Data
_Math 4-Q4 Week 5.pptx Steps in Collecting Data
JhengPantaleon
Sanyam Choudhary Chemistry practical.pdf
Sanyam Choudhary Chemistry practical.pdf
sanyamsingh5019
9953330565 Low Rate Call Girls In Rohini Delhi NCR
9953330565 Low Rate Call Girls In Rohini Delhi NCR
9953056974 Low Rate Call Girls In Saket, Delhi NCR
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
VS Mahajan Coaching Centre
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
9953056974 Low Rate Call Girls In Saket, Delhi NCR
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Maestría en Comunicación Digital Interactiva - UNR
Mastering the Unannounced Regulatory Inspection
Mastering the Unannounced Regulatory Inspection
SafetyChain Software
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
EduSkills OECD
Recently uploaded
(20)
Software Engineering Methodologies (overview)
Software Engineering Methodologies (overview)
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
How to Configure Email Server in Odoo 17
How to Configure Email Server in Odoo 17
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION format.docx
MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION format.docx
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Presiding Officer Training module 2024 lok sabha elections
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Interactive Powerpoint_How to Master effective communication
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
Model Call Girl in Bikash Puri Delhi reach out to us at 🔝9953056974🔝
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
KSHARA STURA .pptx---KSHARA KARMA THERAPY (CAUSTIC THERAPY)————IMP.OF KSHARA ...
KSHARA STURA .pptx---KSHARA KARMA THERAPY (CAUSTIC THERAPY)————IMP.OF KSHARA ...
_Math 4-Q4 Week 5.pptx Steps in Collecting Data
_Math 4-Q4 Week 5.pptx Steps in Collecting Data
Sanyam Choudhary Chemistry practical.pdf
Sanyam Choudhary Chemistry practical.pdf
9953330565 Low Rate Call Girls In Rohini Delhi NCR
9953330565 Low Rate Call Girls In Rohini Delhi NCR
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
call girls in Kamla Market (DELHI) 🔝 >༒9953330565🔝 genuine Escort Service 🔝✔️✔️
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Código Creativo y Arte de Software | Unidad 1
Mastering the Unannounced Regulatory Inspection
Mastering the Unannounced Regulatory Inspection
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
201.04 Sociological Research Methods(1).ppt
1.
Sociological Research Methods and
Techniques © 2010 Alan S.Berger 1
2.
2 Sociological Research Topics Sociologists: –
Study the influence that society has on people’s attitudes and behavior – Seek to understand ways in which people interact and shape society © 2010 Alan S.Berger
3.
3 Sociology and Common
Sense Sociologists do not accept something as fact because “everyone knows it” Findings are tested by researchers, analyzed in relation to other data, and evaluated with sociological theory © 2010 Alan S.Berger
4.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 4 What Good Is Sociological Theory? • Theory: set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior – Effective theories have explanatory and predictive power – Durkheim’s work on suicide provides a classic case of sociological theory at work
5.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 5 The scientific method includes selecting a researchable problem, reviewing the literature, formulating a hypothesis, creating an operational definition, choosing a research design, collecting the data, analyzing the data, and stating conclusions. It is important that sociologists observe the ethics of their discipline in carrying out research. They have an obligation to protect their research subjects from risk and harm and to protect these subjects’ rights and dignity. Sociological Research Method and Ethics
6.
6 Sociology and Science ●
Sociology is a type of science, a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation. - Scientific sociology is the study of society based on systematic observation of social behavior. - Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence, information we can verify with our data, not common sense. ● Scientific evidence sometimes contradicts common sense explanations of social behavior. -It is not what we do not know that get us into trouble, it is what we know that is not true. ● Is there such a thing as objective reality?? © 2010 Alan S.Berger
7.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 7 Research, Values, and Biases ● Sociologists strive for objectivity, a state of personal neutrality in conducting research, whenever possible following Max Weber’s model of value-free research. -One way to limit distortion caused by personal values is through replication, repetition of research by others in order to assess its accuracy. -More about this later. ● Limitations of scientific sociology. -Human behavior is too complex to allow sociologists to predict precisely any individual’s actions. - Because humans respond to their surroundings, the mere presence of a researcher may affect the behavior being studied. ● Social patterns change; what is true in one time or place may not hold true in another.
8.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 8 ● Because sociologists are part of the social world they study, being value-free when conducting social research is difficult. ● An alternative to Value Free is Interpretive sociology. - Not biased, just the opposite - Max Weber, argued that the focus of sociology is interpretation. - Interpretive sociology is the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world. - The interpretive sociologist’s job is not just to observe what people do but to share in their world of meaning and come to appreciate why they act as they ● Another alternative is Critical sociology. -Karl Marx, who founded critical sociology, rejected the idea that society exists as a “natural” system with a fixed order. Critical sociology is the study of society that focuses on the need for social change. - The point is not merely to study the world as it is but to change it. Value Free Research and Research with Values
9.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 9 ● Research is effected by the characteristics of the researcher. We have to strive to overcome this. ● Characteristics that can effect the design, conduct, and results of research Gender Race Ethnicity Religion Social Status ● The American Sociological Association has established formal guidelines for conducting research. Most professional associations do the same thing. Value Free Research and Research with Values
10.
Value Free Research
and Research with Values – The case of Gender -Research is affected by gender, the characteristics that members of a society attach to being female and male, in five ways: - Androcentricity, or approaching an issue from the male perspective. - Overgeneralizing, or using data drawn from studying only one sex to support conclusions about human behavior in general. -Gender blindness, or not considering the variable of gender at all. -Double standards. - Interference because a subject reacts to the sex of the researcher - Similar effects from the researcher’s race and/or ethnicity and/or religion © 2010 Alan S.Berger 10
11.
Methods of collecting
data • Sociologists use the following methods – Surveys – Experiments – Participant observations – Secondary Analysis © 2010 Alan S.Berger 11
12.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 12 Survey Research ● A survey is a research method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions in a questionnaire or an interview.. -Surveys are directed at populations, the people who are the focus of research. - Usually we study a sample, a part of a population that represents the whole. Random sampling is commonly used to be sure that the sample is actually representative of the entire population. - Surveys may involve questionnaires, a series of written questions a researcher presents to subjects. - Questionnaires may be closed-ended or open-ended. - Surveys may also take the form of interviews, a series of questions administered in person by a researcher to respondents. ● This technique uses statistical methods to analyze data
13.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 13 ● Questions: A Word or Two Makes All the Difference. How researchers word questions affects how the public responds. ● Sampling issues. - Lois Benjamin used interviews and snowball sampling to study one hundred elite African Americans. Benjamin concluded that, despite the improving social standing of African Americans, black people in the United States still experience racial hostility. - Kinsey and his successors and the Mercury Magazine political predictions - Election polling and prediction Aspects of Survey research
14.
Understanding and using statistical
data • Reading Tables: An Important Skill. A table provides a lot of information in a small amount of space, so learning to read tables can increase your reading efficiency • Three simple, critical, and useful statistical measures of the average 1. The mode is the value that occurs most often in a series of numbers. 2. The mean refers to the arithmetic average of a series of numbers. 3. The median is the value that occurs midway in a series of number arranged from lowest to highest. © 2010 Alan S.Berger 14
15.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 15 Experiments ● An experiment is a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions. -Experimental research is explanatory, meaning that it asks not just what happens but why. Typically, researchers conduct experiments to test hypotheses, unverified statements of a relationship between variables. Most experiments are conducted in laboratories and employ experimental and control groups. -The Hawthorne effect is a change in a subject’s behavior caused by the awareness of being studied. -The Stanford County Prison study was an experiment conducted by Philip Zimbardo that supported the notion that the character of prison itself, and not the personalities of prisoners and guards, causes prison violence. ● Statistics can, but do not have to be used in this method of doing research.
16.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 16 Participant Observation Participant observation is a method by which researchers systematically observe people while joining in their routine activities. Participant observation research is descriptive and often exploratory. It is normally qualitative research, inquiry based on subjective impressions. William Whyte utilized this approach to study social life in a poor neighborhood in Boston. His research, published in the book Street Corner Society, illustrates the value of using a key informant in field research. Elliot Liebow studied unemployed Black men in Washington and published his results as Talley’s Corner
17.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 17 Secondary Analysis or Archival Research A research method in which a researcher utilizes data collected by others. E. Digby Baltzell’s Puritan Boston and Quaker Philadelphia explored reasons for the prominence of New Englanders in national life. This study exemplifies a researcher’s power to analyze the past using historical sources
18.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 18 Steps in the conduct of Scientific Sociological Research 1. Select a topic guided by sociological perspective and curiosity. • Frequently guided by the source of funding for the research. 2. Define the problem in considerable detail, specifying exactly what you want to learn. 3. Review the literature to use what is already known about the topic. As a guide, and to generate ideas as to what questions to ask. 4. Formulate your hypothesis, describing how you expect your variables to be related. • Your variables need to be operationalized. 5. Choose a research method, which we will discuss in a few minutes. 6. Collect your data paying attention to the validity. 7. Analyze your data. 8. Disseminate by publishing or speaking at professional meetings, your findings.
19.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 19 The Scientific Method
20.
20 ►Formulating the Hypothesis Steps
in the Research Process – Hypothesis: testable statement about relationship between two or more variables – Variable: measurable trait or characteristic subject to change under different conditions • Independent variable: variable hypothesized to cause or influence another • Dependent variable: variable subject to the influence of another variable © 2010 Alan S.Berger
21.
21 ►Formulating the Hypothesis Steps
in the Research Process – Causal logic: relationship between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one event leading to the other – Correlation: exists when a change in one variable coincides with a change in another Correlation does not necessarily indicate causation © 2010 Alan S.Berger
22.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 22 The utility of Measurement For a measurement to be useful, it must be reliable and valid. • Reliability refers to consistency in measurement. • Validity means precision in measuring exactly what one intends to measure. There are two types of measurement Nominal: expresses the essence of an idea in words Operational: expresses the essence of an idea in terms that can be measured.
23.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 23 Collecting and Analyzing Data ►Ensuring Validity and Reliability – Validity: degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study – Reliability: extent to which a measure produces consistent results
24.
24 Collecting and Analyzing
Data Selecting the Sample – Sample: selection from a larger population that is statistically representative of that population – Random sample: when every member of an entire population has the same chance of being selected © 2010 Alan S.Berger
25.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 25 The Basic Concepts of the Social Scientific Method Concepts, variables, and measurement. 1. Concepts are mental constructs that represent some part of the world, inevitably in a simplified form. 2. Variables are concepts whose value changes from case to case, Constants do not change value. 3. Measurement is the process of determining the value of a variable in a specific case. 4. Statistical measures are frequently used to describe populations as a whole. a) This requires that researchers operationalize variables, which mean specifying exactly what one is to measure in assigning a value to a variable
26.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 26 Cause and effect is a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another. • The independent variable is the variable that causes the change. • The dependent variable is the variable that changes. • Cause-and-effect relationships allow us to predict how one pattern of behavior will produce another. • Correlation exists when two (or more) variables change together. • Spurious correlation means an apparent, although false, association between two (or more) variables caused by some other variable. • Spurious correlations can be discovered through scientific control, the ability to neutralize the effect of one variable in order to assess relationships among other variables. Relationships among variables
27.
27 Developing the Conclusion ●Supporting
Hypotheses – Sociological studies do not always generate data that support the original hypothesis – Controlling for Other Factors • Control variable: factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable © 2010 Alan S.Berger
28.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 28 Finally…. • The interplay of theory and method. – Inductive logical thought is reasoning that builds specific observations into general theory. – Deductive logical thought is reasoning that transforms general ideas into specific hypotheses suitable for scientific testing. – Most sociological research uses both types of logical thought. • People Lie with Statistics? The best way not to fall prey to statistical manipulation is to understand how people can mislead with statistics: • People select their data. • People interpret their data. • People use graphs to “spin” the truth • If you don’t understand this you WILL be fooled!
29.
29 Research Ethics Code of
Ethics: first published by ASA in 1971 1. Maintain objectivity and integrity in research 2. Respect subject’s right to privacy and dignity 3. Protect subjects from personal harm 4. Preserve confidentiality 5. Seek informed consent 6. Acknowledge research collaboration and assistance 7. Disclose all sources of financial support © 2010 Alan S.Berger
30.
30 Research Ethics █ Confidentiality –
Supreme Court has failed to clarify rights of scholars • Research Funding – Funding source should not taint objectivity of research • Value Neutrality – Researchers should not allow personal feelings to influence interpretation of data © 2010 Alan S.Berger
31.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 31 Feminist Methodology █ Has had greatest influence on current generation of social researchers • Rejects notion of work and family as separate spheres • Has drawn attention to researchers’ tendency to overlook women in sociological studies
32.
© 2010 Alan
S.Berger 32 Government Involvement Oversight by Institutional Review Boards !
Download now