Transcript Sociological Research Methods

Sociological Research
Methods
Intro to Sociology Class
Research and the Social Sciences
Goal: test common sense assumptions and
replace false ideas with fact and evidence
Where: the whole world is a sociologists lab
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Research
Quantitative: research that relies on numerical data
Qualitative: research which uses observation and
relies upon descriptive data
Types
of Research
 Survey: a sample population is asked a series of
questions to respond to (most used version)
 Secondary Analysis: pre-collected data in which
someone else has already gathered
Types
of Research
 Field Research: research that takes place in a natural
(non-lab) setting
 Case Study: in depth examination of a single group,
problem, or community
Types
of Research
 Experiment: research that takes place in a lab setting
(not often used in social research)
 Participant Observation: case study where the researcher
becomes a member of the group being studied