Methodology: How Sociologists Do Research PDF

GROUP 1 MODULE 2 METHODOLOGY: How Sociologists Do Research WHAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT How Sociologist Go About Testing Their Theories Forming and Testing Theories Reseach Designs: The Observational Method Correlational Research Methods Experimental Research Methods Field Exper...

GROUP 1 MODULE 2 METHODOLOGY: How Sociologists Do Research WHAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT How Sociologist Go About Testing Their Theories Forming and Testing Theories Reseach Designs: The Observational Method Correlational Research Methods Experimental Research Methods Field Experiments Replications and Meta-Analysis Ethics of Experimentations WHAT IS RESEARCH? WHAT IS RESEARCH? the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Why is it important? Because it helps us learn more about the world. HOW DO SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGISTS GO ABOUT TESTING THEIR THEORIES Social psychologists are interested in “big” phenomena. To answers these phenomena, social psychologists develop different theories. This involves identifying constructs and variables that could be relevant to the question. Social psychologists are not content with describing these “big” phenomena; rather they seek to identify them by seeking their antecedents. In developing a theory, the interest is no only about what the phenomenon is, but also what causes it and the possible solutions. Many other disciplines — such as philosophy, sociology, and anthropology — ae concerned with the same phenomena that interest social psychologists. THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF A THEORY IS “IT MUST BE TESTABLE”  LESSON 2: Forming ang Testing Theories WHAT IS THEORY? Theories arise from observations, intuitions, or existing frameworks. They are unique in their commitment to the scientific method, which emphasizes the need for testability. It must be testable, which is an essential characteristic of a theory. It must generate specific predictions, known as hypotheses, that can be tested through research. FACTS vs THEORIES FACTS are observations that have consensus within the scientific community THEORIES Are comprehensive explanations that can summarize and provide context for the observed facts. HYPOTHESIS They are considered as crucial for testing theories. They guide research, suggest areas of exploration, and can have practical applications LESSON 3: RESEARCH DESIGN Social psychology is a scientific discipline with a well-developed set of methods for answering questions about social behavior. There are three types of methods: OBSERVATIONAL METHOD, CORRELATIONAL METHOD, and EXPERIMENTAL METHOD. METHOD FOCUS QUESTION ANSWERED OBSERVATIONAL DESCRIPTION What is the nature of the phenomena? CORRELATIONAL PREDICTION From knowing X, can we predict Y? EXPERIMENTAL CAUSALITY Is variable X a cause of variable Y?  Observational Method This is the method by which researchers attempt to understand a group or culture by observing it from the inside without imposing any preconceived notions they might have. EXAMPLES You’re a time traveler from 3024, on a mission to make an analysis of the 2024 pop culture to figure out why everyone in 3024 has negative IQ. You’re enjoying your overpriced mocha frapuccino on an unknown small cafe. Out of nowhere, you hear a toddler crying uncontrollably on the table beside you. All of a sudden, the large man accompanying the little toddler slams the plate and screams at the toddler. You, an average person, watching the news, more especially, drama news. What’s the catch? we cannot influence it, we can only watch things unfold. presented information is the primary basis surface level information data may be inconsistent  How to make it effective? Interjudge Reliability is the level of agreement between two or more people who independently observe and code a set of data. IN OTHER TERMS... one source is not enough. By showing that two or more judges independently come up with the same observations, researchers ensure that the observations are not subjective.  Correlational Method With the correlational method, two variables are systematically measured, and the relationship between them—how much you can predict one from the other—is assessed. 2 possible results of this method POSITIVE CORRELATION NEGATIVE CORRELATION X Y X Y EXAMPLES Height may or may not be what dictates average weight. Violence in media may or may not be the cause of more violence in real life. Education background may or may not be the factor that dictates one’s capabilities.  What now? results may vary statistics of selected subjects are the basis neither can be right either can be right jumping to conclusions is prohibited Experimental Research Method Independent & Dependent Variable Independent variable is manipulated while dependent variable is observed for changes Example : Independent variable is manipulated while dependent variable is observed for changes FIELD EXPERIMENT A study conducted in natural environments but with some controlled variables. Example : Observing how different levels of community support affect cooperation in "bayanihan" (Filipino communal unity) in rural areas. REPLICATION AND META - ANALYSIS Replication Repeating a study to confirm its findings Example : Replicating a study on Filipino family dynamics across different regions to check for consistency. REPLICATION AND META-ANALYSIS Meta-Analysis Combining results from multiple studies to get a broader understanding. Example : A meta-analysis on studies about Filipino collectivism to identify overall trends and effects  Lesson 4: ETHICS OF EXPERIMENTATION It should engage the participants. Experimenters do not want participants consciously play-acting or bored, they want to engage real psychological processes. An experiment on aggression. Forcing people to choose whether to give intense or mild electric shock to someone else can be a realistic measure of aggression. It functionally simulates real aggression. The experimenter should be sufficiently informative and considerate that people leave feeling at least as good about themselves as when they came in. Better yet, the participants should be compensated by having learned something (Sharpe & Faye, 2009). When treated respectfully, few participants mind being deceived (Epley & Huff, 1998; Kimmel, 1998). Indeed, say social psychology’s advocates, professors provoke far greater anxiety and distress by giving and returning course exams than researchers provoke in their experiments.  Lesson 4: ETHICS OF EXPERIMENTATION experimental realism real aggression Tell potential participants enough about the experiment to enable their informed consent. Be truthful. Use deception only if essential and justified by a significant purpose and not “about aspects that would affect their willingness to participate.” Protect participants from harm and significant discomfort. Treat information about the individual participants confidentially. Fully explain the experiment afterward, including any deception. The only exception to this rule is when the feedback would be distressing,  THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! GROUP 1 JOHN M OR JEAN OLIN ICHAEL IVAN RONCALES PALISO HERRAS C MARIANE SELADES T R OV A R CO M J O S E VALL QUIZ 1. It is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. RESEARCH 2. It is a study conducted in natural environments but with some controlled variables FIELD EXPERIMENT 3. It means; to combine results from different studies to get a better understanding. META-ANALYSIS 4. TRUE or FALSE. The essential characteristic of a theory is “it must be testable.” TRUE  5. This is the method by which the researchers attempt to understand a group or culture by observing it from the inside without imposing any preconceived notions they might have. OBSERVATIONAL METHOD  6. The level of agreement between two or more people who independently observe and code a set of data. INTERJUDGE RELIABILITY  7. This is the method where two variables are systematically measured, and the relationship between them, how much you can predict one from another is assessed. CORRELATIONAL METHOD 8. These arise from observations, intuitions, or existing frameworks. THEORIES 9. Considered crucial for testing theories. They guide research, suggest areas of exploration, and can have practical applications HYPOTHESIS  10. Are comprehensive explanations that can summarize and provide context for the observed facts. THEORIES