12 pages

research_methods_in_sociology__2_.ppt

Research Methods in Sociology

A. Sociology as a Science

Criticism of Marxists: political agenda, subjective thinking (philosophy instead of rigorous Durkheim-style data collection), caution is needed understand the meaning behind their work

Subjective versus Objective Knowledge: Empirical Research means that the unit under observation must be observable, measurable, and testable.

Example of Religion: As a science, sociology cannot prove or disprove the existence of God, but it can analyze the opinions, beliefs, and behaviors of people who adhere to different religions.

B. Goals of Sociological Research

C. Challenges

Biases: When the subject resembles or fails to resemble the observer
Ethical Considerations (for example the responsibility to notify the proper authorities upon the discovery of an impending crime)
Subjects tend to respond to observation:
Hawthorne Effect: response is what the observer wants to hear
Story of Elton MAYO (1880 - 1949) and his research at the General Electric Company that gave birth to the Human Relations Movement: “Individual workers cannot be treated in isolation but must be seen as members of a group.”
From The Human Problems of an Industrialized Civilization (1933)

D. Measurement

The relationship between variables

Reliability: Is your observation a “fluke” or is it a repeatable social phenomenon?

Validity:Are you really measuring what you want to measure?

E. Understanding Correlations

Negative Correlation:
Social integration and the likelihood of committing suicide (Suicide, DURKHEIM, 1897)

Positive Correlation:
Increased usage of drugs and the risk of homelessness
Decrease of available positions on the employment market and the purchase of new homes

Research Methods

Theory versus hypothesis
Population
Sample
Surveys
Face to face interviews (directed versus semi-directed)
Email interviews
Observing behavior in a natural setting and explaining observations in anecdotes

Statistical Analysis