Transcript How do sociologists go about their research?

14 September 2010
Starter: when you are performing an
experiment in science class, what steps
need to be taken before and after the
experiment can happen? Write them
down in your book.
How do sociologists go about
their research?
Aim: by the end of the lesson I will be
able to identify the steps involved in
the research process
I will also be able to explain the role
of aims, hypotheses and pilot studies
in the research process
The Research Process
Sociologist carry out research
in order to collect data in a
systematic and organized
way. This data provides
them with evidence to
help them explain the
social world.
Sociological research
involves several steps or
stages, they are….
1
Developing aims
or hypotheses of
the research
2
Carrying out
pilot studies
3
Selecting
samples
4
Collecting
data
5
Analysing
data
6
Evaluating
the project
Aims & Hypotheses
• Research aims set out what
the researcher is planning to
investigate and give a clear
focus to the study
• A hypotheses is a hunch or
informed guess. It is usually
written as a statement that
can be tested and either
supported by evidence or
refuted.
Aims & Hypotheses
• These questions can
be developed from a
study they have
carried out previously
or something that has
struck them as
interesting
• Questions may also
be developed from
social problems like
racism or poverty
Pilot Studies
• This is a small scale trial run carried out before
the main research.
• It may save time and money
• The researcher can check whether the chosen
method is likely to be appropriate and to vie
them the data they need to address the aims
• Identify and explain two reasons why
researchers/sociologists use pilot studies.