Sociological Research

UMUC_SOCY100_Introduction to Sociology

Research: Why and How We Do It

As you have learned studying several of the historical figures of sociology mentioned above,

sociology requires us to go past our common sense (which can be faulty), experience (which can

be limited), and values (which are bound in time and culture) to gain new understandings of

social life. To do this, we need research tools or systematic ways in which to study social life. In

sociology, research tools fall under two main types: qualitative and quantitative methods. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

 Quantitative methods are research tools such as surveys (developed to answer specific research questions) and secondary data analysis (research using existing data

sets gathered for general purposes). Quantitative methods attempt to amass information

from large numbers of people. Of course, this method requires that people answer

prepared (close-ended) questions. Being forced to answer such questions in limited ways, however, does not allow respondents to describe how they see their world.

 Qualitative methods such as interviews (asking people open-ended questions), content analysis (research to uncover the hidden meanings in, for example,

media coverage), orparticipant observation (physical observation of the social

interaction patterns of groups) take a different approach: they assume that the best way

to understand social life is to see the world through the individual's eyes. Researchers

may ask subjects why they act in certain ways or what rules and assumptions govern

their behavior. Questions in qualitative research instruments are more open-ended.

Limitations of this method are (1) the greater potential for bias (because researchers

themselves can be influenced by their subjects) and (2) the difficulty in generalizing findings to larger groups, given the small sample size in studies using this method.

 The social patterns found in responses, if done correctly, are taken to be "social facts" and, therefore, are thought to contain information about social life.

Conducting Sociological Research

The steps in conducting sociological research can be listed as follows:

1. Select a topic: Find an interesting aspect of social life to study and state the subject to be studied in clear terms.

2. Review previous research: Go the library and the Web to find out what research has been conducted on the topic you have chosen, determine what was clarified, and how the research will and can be used. Define theories and concepts applicable to the research.

3. Make a plan: Determine how you will conduct your research, including how much time and money will be required to execute the plan and whether the plan can be researched ethically.

4. Determine questions to ask: Focus on the questions to answer, why they need to be answered, and then answer them. Determine the theories to be used and the assumptions to be tested during the research.

5. Select the correct research tools: Decide which research and evaluation tools will be used (e.g., participant observation or secondary data analysis) and the number of people needed to execute the study.

6. Gather the data: The actual data collection period can take a considerable length of time.

7. Interpret the data by using statistics: Was the hypotheses proven or not?

8. Write up conclusions: Besides sharing the results with others in professional journals or at meetings and sharing generalizable insights gained from the research, the research often goes farther: it can have implications for policies and point to new areas of inquiry.

UMUC_SOCY100_Introduction to Sociology

Results of sociological research often provide a stimulus for future research. Because of insights

gained, results can often be used to benefit others, to right wrongs from previously misunderstood data, or to change harmful practices.

Think about this…

If you wished to understand a social phenomenon, such as what causes poverty,

what kind of research do you think would be necessary? What would be the

advantages or disadvantages of asking a large number of people a set of fixed

questions about poverty, or alternatively, of interviewing a group of poor people by

asking open-ended questions?

Report broken links or any other problems on this page.

Copyright © by University of Maryland University College.