Understanding Social Problems

Sociology 230

Dr. Babcock

Unit I

Chapter 1: Research

The Scientific Method

1. Formulate a research question

2. Review the literature

3. Define variables

4. Formulate a hypothesis.

5. Choose a research design including sample

6. Collect data

7. Analyze the data (pl)

8. Draw conclusions

9. Publish results

(Chart on the right shows the cyclical nature of

research. While the steps may be a bit different

from our list above, the process will be the

same)

Variable

Any measurable event, characteristic, or property that varies or is subject to change.

Must operationally define the variables we study.

◦ specifies how a variable is to be measured.

The Independent Variable (IV) causes change in the Dependent Variable (DV)

Sex, race, age, education, religion, class, political party, occupation, and income are typical variables of interest to social scientists. SES is a composite variable made up of income, education and occupation

Hypothesis/Hypotheses

A prediction about how one variable is related to another variable.

The dependent variable (DV) is the variable that the researcher wants to explain.

The independent variable (IV) is the variable that is expected to explain change in the

dependent variable. Can you identify the IV and DV in the following?

Sociology majors attend class more frequently than non-majors

Smokers have a higher probability of contracting cancer than do non smokers

Males drive more aggressively than do females

Null Hypotheses will be supported or disproven:

Hyperactivity is unrelated to eating sugar.

All daisies have the same number of petals.

Methods of Data Collection

Surveys

Observation

Secondary data research

Experiments

Survey Research Steps

Survey

Sampling

Survey research involves eliciting information

from respondents through questions.

An important part of survey research is

selecting a sample of those to be questioned.

A sample is a portion of the population,

selected to be representative so that the

information from the sample can be

generalized to a larger population.

Interviews

In interview survey research, trained

interviewers ask respondents

questions and make written notes

about or record the answers.

One advantage of interview research

is that researchers are able to clarify

questions for the respondent and

follow up on answers to particular

questions.

The transcripts are analyzed using

qualitative methods

Questionnaire

Researchers may develop questionnaires that

are mailed, or given to a sample of

respondents.

Questionnaire research is less expensive and

less time consuming than surveys and provides

privacy to research participants.

The disadvantage of mail questionnaires is that

it is difficult to obtain an adequate response

rate.

Mailed Surveys

Computer as Interviewer

A popular method of conducting survey research is asking respondents to provide answers to a

computer that “talks.”

Research finds that when topics are sensitive, as with sexual surveys, respondents rate the

computer more favorably than face-to-face interviews. Computer interviews tend to be more

reliable.

Observational Field Research

Field research involves observing

social behavior in settings in which

it occurs naturally.

In participant observation the

researcher participates in the

phenomenon being studied to

obtain an insider’s perspective.

In unobtrusive nonparticipant

observation the researcher

observes the phenomenon being

studied without actively

participating.

Secondary Data

Research

Secondary data are data that have already been collected by other researchers or government agencies or that exist as historical documents.

An advantage of using secondary data in studying social problems is that the data are readily accessible, so researchers avoid the time and expense of collecting their own data.

The disadvantage is that the researcher is limited to the data already collected.

Experiment

A research method that involves manipulating the independent

variable to determine how it affects the dependent variable.

Not very common in Sociology—more often in Psychology

Milgram Experiment

Stanley Milgram found that 65% of a sample of

citizens were willing to use harmful shocks on

an elderly man with a heart condition because

they were instructed to by the experimenter.

It was revealed that the man had been part of

the experiment.

Asche Conformity Study

Bystander Apathy Experiments

A. Notice that something is

happening.

B. Interpret the situation as one

in which help is needed.

C. Assume personal

responsibility.

D. Choose a form of assistance.

E. Implement the assistance.

B. Bystanders ignore the man on the

ground

END