CHAPTER 2 - Sociology Research Methods Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which sociologist questions the findings about Americans' loneliness and isolation?

Barry Wellman (correct)

Emile Durkheim

Robert Putnam

Erwing Goffman

What does Barry Wellman suggest about people's overall ties over the decades?

They have remained constant.

They have increased due to the Internet. (correct)

They have only increased among younger generations.

They have decreased significantly.

What is a characteristic of 'weak' social ties according to some social scientists?

They require deep emotional connections.

They are always unsatisfying.

They can be rewarding for some individuals. (correct)

They consist solely of family relationships.

What method is often used in natural sciences and psychology to ascertain causality?

Experiments Signup and view all the answers

Which claim about social interactions is made regarding casual acquaintances?

They are often preferred by some individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is suggested to contribute to the increase in overall social ties?

The impact of the Internet Signup and view all the answers

How is the mean of a dataset calculated?

By adding all values and dividing by the number of values. Signup and view all the answers

What calculation is necessary to find the median in a dataset with an odd number of figures?

Locate the middle figure directly. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mode indicate in a dataset?

The most frequently occurring value. Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlation coefficient of 1.0 indicate?

A perfect positive correlation between the variables. Signup and view all the answers

How does the standard deviation relate to a dataset?

It quantifies the degree of dispersal in the dataset. Signup and view all the answers

In a dataset where the value significantly deviates, which measure of central tendency can be misleading?

Mean Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding from Zimbardo's jail experiment?

The prison environment significantly impacted behavior more than individual traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of experimental studies?

They allow testing hypotheses under highly controlled conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Zimbardo's research?

The influence of social roles on behavior and attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern for sociologists regarding the populations they study?

Exploitation of the subjects Signup and view all the answers

How does qualitative research primarily differ from quantitative research?

Qualitative research provides in-depth insights. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of questions sociologists typically address in their research?

Factual, theoretical, comparative, and developmental questions Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT included in the typical research process followed by sociologists?

Confirming preconceived validation Signup and view all the answers

What might lead social scientists to portray themselves inaccurately in their research?

Desire to assist the researcher Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of research did Park and Ogburn approach differently in sociology?

The types of questions asked Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis in sociological research?

A proposed explanation to be tested Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of documentary research in sociology?

It lacks detailed personal insights. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant effect observed in movers compared to non-movers?

Higher levels of physical activity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of comparative research in sociology?

To determine if behaviors vary across time and place Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used in comparative research?

Quantitative analysis using consistent metrics Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content, what trend was observed in American divorce rates after World War II?

A peak followed by a decline Signup and view all the answers

How does the divorce rate in the United States compare to other Western countries?

It is higher but shows similar overall trends Signup and view all the answers

Which classic study utilized historical comparative research on revolutions?

States and Social Revolutions Signup and view all the answers

What does the trend in American divorce rates suggest about family life over time?

There has been a cultural shift in family relations Signup and view all the answers

What is important to consider when reading sociological tables?

The source note for reliability Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a research report in sociology?

To present the research question, methods, findings, and implications. Signup and view all the answers

How do qualitative and quantitative research methods differ?

Quantitative methods focus on numerical data, while qualitative methods emphasize understanding concepts. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key shift in sociology that occurred in the 1920s?

There was a stronger emphasis on empirical evidence and facts to ground theories. Signup and view all the answers

What do unanswered questions in a research report indicate?

Further research is needed to explore new inquiries. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research process emphasize according to the content?

Flexible and iterative approaches that may not follow a linear path. Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is used to describe the difference between the research process and following a recipe?

Cooks often create without a rigid structure, akin to seasoned researchers. Signup and view all the answers

What is often included in research reports besides findings?

Suggestions for further research and unanswered questions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sample in research methods?

small proportion of a large population Signup and view all the answers

Why can sampling be useful?

Because a smaller part of the population can represent the whole. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sociology Today

Sociology increasingly relies on statistical studies using large datasets.
Empathy remains a crucial component of sociological inquiry.
Qualitative methods are vital for in-depth sociological understanding.

Asking and Answering Sociological Questions: Historical Context

Early sociology emphasized theoretical speculation.
Robert Park and William Ogburn championed empirical investigation in sociology.
Park emphasized field research and observation, using Chicago as a laboratory.
Ogburn focused on statistical analysis and quantitative methods.

Asking and Answering Sociological Questions Today: Research Methods

Ethnography: First-hand study of people through observation and/or in-depth interviews. Often includes participant observation.
Surveys: Questionnaires used to gather data on a large scale, allowing for comparisons. Standardized and open-ended questions. Key concepts include sample, population, and random sampling.
Experiments: Used to investigate causality, involving controlled environments and random assignment of participants to groups (e.g., Zimbardo's prison experiment, highlighting situational influences on behavior).
Comparative Research: Comparing one society's findings to others, especially in historical context (e.g., Skocpol's study of revolutions), revealing broader social patterns.

Unanswered Questions

Can sociology identify causes and effects reliably?
How can social research avoid exploitation of research subjects?
Is sociology a truly scientific field?

Statistical Terms

Measures of central tendency: Calculating averages (mean, median, mode).
Correlation coefficients: Measuring the relationship between variables (positive, negative, or no correlation).

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Description

This quiz explores essential research methods in sociology, including qualitative and quantitative techniques. It highlights the historical context of sociological inquiry and the contributions of key figures like Robert Park and William Ogburn. Test your understanding of modern approaches to sociological research.