research methods

Question 1

what is research

Answer 1

The systematic process of data collection for producing knowledge
- Sociological research is distinct because it is social in nature

Question 2

what does Social research examine

Answer 2

• Groups, societies, social interactions
• Addresses patterns, comparisons, relationships, and meanings in social life
• Involves people, organizations, or social systems
• Analyzes aspects of people’s experiences that go beyond the biological or psychological

Question 3

what is the scientific method

Answer 3

a procedure for acquiring knowledge that emphasizes collecting data through observation and experiment

Question 4

what is one thing research must be

Answer 4

empirical - statements of possible facts, hypothetically be proven true or false
- Empirical research differs from normative or anecdotal statements - tend to be expressions of opinion or the recounting of an individual (one time experience)

Question 5

what is the independents vs dependent variable

Answer 5

D = The outcome we are seeking to understand
I = The concept purported to be the cause

Question 6

what is causation vs correlation

Answer 6

causation = X causes Y - Difficult for researchers to demonstrate that a particular relationship is causal
correlation = X may be related to Y, but the relationship may not be a valid or spurious (fake; illegitimate)

Question 7

basic research vs applied research

Answer 7

B = Directed at gaining fundamental knowledge about some issue
A = Designed to produce results that are immediately useful in relation to some real-world situation

Question 7

generlizability of a sample meaning

Answer 7

If it is possible to assume the patterns and relationships among the sample in the research to hold true for the broader population

Question 8

meaning of representitive samples

Answer 8

The people in the sample have characteristics typical of people in the broader population the researchers seek to analyze
- If the sample is representative, the researchers can make the case that their findings provide a good representation of overall population studied

Question 9

ethical responsibilities when collecting data and conducting social research

Answer 9

• Unethical to make up data or to plagiarize other people’s work
• Minimize any risks of harm to the participants
• Get informed consent from each participant - requires that the participants be told the purpose of the research, what they will be asked to do, and any risks prior to participating – also must be given the chance to withdraw their participation at any time

Question 10

5 ways Social Scientists collect data

Answer 10

• surveys
• interviews - detailed answers
• participant observation
• ethnography - studies how groups of people live by understanding it from their point of view
• content analysis - Involves counting elements of a text or can involve more interpretive and relational elements (Good reflection of society at the time)

Question 11

example of content analysis study

Answer 11

HATTON AND TRAUTNER, 2011 - “ ‘EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OBJECTIFICATION?’ THE SEXUALIZATION OF MEN AND WOMEN ON THE COVER OF ROLLING STONE”
- 1967 – 2009: Rolling Stone Covers
- 726 Images of men; 280 images of women (1,006 covers)
- coded for things like: clothing/nudity, pose, mouth, text, body parts
- FINDINGS = Stark increase in the sexualization of both men and women and the hypersexualization of women

Question 12

what is data analysis

Answer 12

The process of reducing the mass of raw data to a set of findings that provide the basis for making conclusions

Question 13

quantitive vs qualitative data analysis methods

Answer 13

quantitive = Typically presents an analysis of data based on numbers
qualitative = Typically presents an analysis of data based on words and images

Question 14

ways quantitive data is collected

Answer 14

Typically gathered through questionnaires (survey) - responses are transformed into numbers and analyzed using data analysis techniques or statistical software

Question 15

quantitive data advantages

Answer 15

• Can collect data on a large portion of the population at one time
• Generalizable (Findings can be extended to groups of individuals who were not included in the original study)
• Efficient and cost effective

Question 16

quantitive data disadvantages

Answer 16

• Under served populations (ex: homeless; older adults; differently abled individuals; individuals who live in rural areas) are less likely to be surveyed e.g. no access to internet
• There is no context to understand why people answered the way that they did

Question 17

ways qualitative data is collected

Answer 17

Typically, gathered through interviews, focus groups or ethnographic research (living amongst your subjects)
- Examine or interpret a research question to discover underlying meanings or patterns of relationships
- may use words, pictures or objects to describe and give context to the research question

Question 18

qualitative data advantages

Answer 18

• There is context to understand why individuals make choices or answered a question in a particular way
• Individuals may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics with a researcher rather than simply filling out a questionnaire

Question 19

qualitative data disadvantages

Answer 19

• takes time (interviewing multiple subjects; living with or observing individuals in their social setting) - transcribe and analyze peoples answers
• Fewer participants - results less likely to be generalizable to other populations
• Individuals may feel less comfortable discussing sensitive topics with a researcher rather than simply filling out a questionnaire

Question 20

reliability meaning

Answer 20

Extent to which research results are consistent

Question 21

validity meaning

Answer 21

Whether research results accurately reflect the social phenomena being studied

Question 22

3 conditions to demonstrate causation

Answer 22

• Show that the supposed cause is associated with the supposed effect - If a change in the cause occurs, a related change should be observed in the effect
• Demonstrate that the cause comes BEFORE the effect (not after)
• must be able to eliminate all other possible alternative explanations for the effect