Research Methods in Sociology

Research Methods in Sociology

• Quantitative Research: Involves translating social phenomena into numerical data to identify cause-and-effect relationships.
• Qualitative Research: Focuses on nonnumerical data (texts, interviews, images) to understand how individuals interpret their world.
• Scientific Method: A systematic procedure for acquiring knowledge through observation and experimentation.
• Literature Review: A comprehensive search of existing studies relevant to a specific research topic.
• Hypothesis: A theoretical proposition explaining the relationship between two or more phenomena.

Research Variables and Definitions

• Variables: Phenomena believed to be related, which researchers aim to test.
• Operational Definition: A precise definition of a variable that facilitates measurement.
• Correlation: Indicates a relationship between variables where changes occur together, but not necessarily causing one another.
• Causation: A direct relationship where a change in one variable results in a change in another variable.
• Intervening Variable: A third variable that helps explain the relationship between two primary variables.

Ethnographic Research

• Ethnography: A method studying individuals in their natural environment to understand their activities and meanings; results in written work.
• Participant Observation: Ethnographic methodology where the researcher becomes part of the social setting being studied.
• Rapport: A positive, trusting relationship built between researcher and subjects.
• Access: The process for an ethnographer to enter a field setting to conduct research.
• Fieldnotes: Detailed observations made by ethnographers, forming the basis of their analysis.

Research Integrity and Ethics

• Reflexivity: Recognizing how a researcher's identity and actions influence field dynamics.
• Informed Consent: Ensures respondents are knowingly participating and understand the research context.
• Confidentiality: Guarantees that a respondent's identity remains private.
• Code of Ethics: Guidelines for ethical research practices.

Survey Techniques

• Survey: A research method using questionnaires distributed to sample populations for data collection.
• Closed-ended Questions: Limit responses to predefined options.
• Open-ended Questions: Allow respondents to answer in their own words.
• Leading Questions: Crafted to prompt specific responses.
• Double-barreled Questions: Address multiple issues simultaneously, resulting in unclear responses.
• Likert Scale: Organizes responses along a continuum to measure attitudes.

Sampling and Data Analysis

• Sample: The subset of the population being studied to make generalizations.
• Probability Sampling: Each unit in the population has an equal opportunity to be selected.
• Representative Sample: A sample reflecting the larger population's characteristics.
• Weighting: Adjustments made to sampling methods to better reflect the target population.
• Response Rate: The percentage of completed surveys returned by respondents.

Validity and Reliability in Research

• Reliability: Consistency of measurements and the stability of findings.
• Validity: Ensures the accuracy of measurements and the true reflection of what is intended to be measured.
• Pilot Study: A preliminary study conducted to assess the feasibility of larger research efforts.
• Existing Sources: Previously published materials utilized as data for new research.

Experimental Research Design

• Experiments: Controlled tests assessing specific variables and their effects.
• Control Group: Group receiving no experimental treatment for comparison.
• Experimental Group: Group subjected to the treatment being studied.
• Independent Variable: The factor being tested that may cause changes.
• Dependent Variable: The outcome that may change in response to the independent variable.

Research Applications

• Basic Research: Knowledge-seeking without immediate practical application.
• Applied Research: Focused on gathering data for practical change or application.
• Value-free Sociology: Commitment to identifying facts without personal bias interfering.
• Reactivity: Awareness of being studied can influence behavior (e.g., Hawthorne effect).

Ethical Research Considerations

• Deception: The extent to which participants are unaware of the study's true purpose.
• Institutional Review Board: A university body reviewing research proposals to ensure ethical standards and protection of human subjects.