The Research Process

1
The Research Process

• Sociology 12

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Outcome 1.3

• 1.3 analyze a variety of appropriate sociological
  research methods
• 1.3.1 Describe common sociological research
  methods.
• 1.3.2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of
  each method studied.
• 1.3.3 Select the research methods most
  appropriate to given scenarios.

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5 Ways of knowing the World

• Tradition
• Authority
• Religion
• Normative Approach religion, tradition, or
• authority to answer important questions.
• Science
• Empirical Approach knowledge is best gained by
• direct, systematic observation.
• Personal Experience

4
Rationalizing Normative and Empirical

• Science uses the empirical approach.
• knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic
  observation.
• Scientific knowledge is systematic, public, and
  recognized by other scientists
• information gained through a scientific approach
  can be verified.
• Scientific knowledge has a build-in mechanism for
  self-correction.
• Hypothesis are subject to verification
• Science is objective
• Methods to ensure bias and personal values do not
  influence the research.

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Types of Studies

• Descriptive Study attempts to describe social
  reality or provide facts about some group,
  practice, or event, i.e. The Canadian Census.
• Explanatory Study attempts to explain
  relationships and to provide information on why
  certain events do or so not occur, i.e. Why are
  some people more likely than others to offer help?

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Inductive versus Deductive

• Theory and research is a continuous cycle.
• Deductive begins with a theory
• Inductive begins with data collection and
  analysis

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The Research Process

• There are three dominant theories on research
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
• Mixed Methods

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Quantitative Research

• Uses numerical data to measure the results of the
  study.
• Select and define the research problem.
• Review previous research.
• Formulate the hypothesis.
• Develop the research design.
• Collect Analyze the data.
• Draw Conclusions Report the Findings.

9
Qualitative Research

• Uses observation, interviews, reflections, field
  notes, etc.
• Problem formation general approach.
• Collect and analyze data to assess the Validity
  OF the starting position refining concepts.
• Detailed view of the topic smaller number of
  cases and many variables.

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Research Methods

• Experiments
• Surveys
• Secondary Analysis of Existing Data
• Field Research
• Review the chart of page 60 of the text.

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Ethics

• Weighing the social benefits of research against
  the potential physical and emotional costs to
  participants.
• Check out some of the ethical issues in these
  articles
• http//www.guardian.co.uk/world/ethics