Transcript Chapter 2
Chapter 2 Sociological Research Chapter 2 resources for the book Scientific Method > Organized steps to ensure “maximum” objectivity 5 basic steps: 1. Define the problem 2. Review the literature 3. Formulate a hypothesis 4. select a research design 5. Develop a conclusion defining the problem: make an operational definitionexplanation of an abstract concept that allows a researcher to measure it links to research done Scientific Method <Eg.-status-high status-members of an exclusive social club or professional organization come up with an operational definition for love. Reviewing the literature 1. Refine problem under study 2. Clarify possible techniques 3. Avoid mistakes review popular magazines as well as systematic studies formulate a hypothesis Scientific Method Eg-Most Homeless are not mentally ill. What are we looking for in our research? 1. Is it testable? Eg. “God exists” 2. Is it reasonably specific? 3. How one aspect effects another? Aspects are called variables-trait or characteristic subject to change income, religion, occupation, gender Scientific Method Eg. Most homeless are not mentally ill. mental illness-independent variable homeless-dependent variable 1st variable-independent 2nd variable-dependent Causal Logic-Black Panther Bumper sticker leads to a traffic ticket results of Black Panther experiment Correlation-change in variable coincides with the otherworking mothers leads to delinquency in children-What is the third variable? Lower class-this statement is correlated not causal Scientific Method Collect and Analyze datarepresentative sample-larger population that is typical random sample-every member has same chance to be sampled Creating Scales and indicesquestions to measure attitudes needs to be valid and reliable valid-degree of reflection of study reliable-consistent results Develop a conclusion: terminates this study and generates ideas for the future Creating a Research Design Surveys-a study, generally in the form of an interview or questionnaire, provides Sociologists with information concerning how people act and think Questioning techniquesWording of questioning 1. Make them simple and clearmust understand 2. Be specific-no problem interpreting the results Research Design 2 forms of questioning-1. Interview; 2. Questionnaire interview-high response rate-go beyond the written question questionnaire-cheaper Eagleton at Rutgers survey foundwith abortion-women are more likely to be strong pro-choice when questioned by a women 84%-private matter left to women not government when interviewed by a women 64%-when interviewed by a man must be careful in all elements of survey Questioning Poor question Problem Better Question 1. Do you favor urban homesteading? May not understand the question Do you favor a government program that encourages families to improve inner city housing? 2. Did your mother ever work? misleading Did your mother ever work for pay outside the home? 3. Should it be possible for a too general women to obtain a legal abortion? 4. Don’t you think that the press is slanted and that we should distrust whatever it says? biased, leads people to a particular answer 5. Do you favor making it legal for 18 year olds to drink liquor and smoke marijuana? double barreled, two questions in one Should it be possible for a woman to obtain a legal abortion if there is a strong chance of serious birth defect in her baby? If she became pregnant because of rape? Would you say that you have a great deal of confidence, some confidence, or very little confidence in the press? Do you favor making it legal for 18 year olds to drink liquor? Do you favor making it legal for 18 year olds to smoke marajuana? Ethics in Research Code of Ethics: American Sociological Association (ASA) 1. Maintain objectivity and integrity in research 2. Respect the subject’s right to privacy and dignity 3. Protect subjects from personal harm 4. Preserve confidentiality 5. Acknowledge research collaboration and assistance 6. Disclose all sources of financial support Ethics in Research People cause the problem-most measures include people study of Autocides-William Zellner’s study posed the question of the right to know or the right to privacy Zellner-interviewed the friends, coworkers and family members to obtain information they were told it was in an effort to reduce these accidents Ethics in Research Zellner wished to learn about the emotional characteristics of the victim no mention of autocide for fear that they would not meet with him single occupant crashes are suicides in about 12% of the cases Was Zellner’s research unethical? Was the deception justified by the social value of his findings? Ethics in Research Preserving confidentialitylike journalists-Sociologists are going to get questioned by law enforcement 1984-Federal court decides that notes are confidential A graduate student interviews coworkers working at a restaurant. A suspicious fire occurs-police want his notes US appeals court overturns decision to allow confidentiality