Transcript Welcome to SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology

SOCI 1010
Class #2
9/03/09
Agenda Class #2
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Attendance
Submit Syllabus Activity
Film clip: TGMBC
Founders of Sociology
Research Methods in Social
Science
• Continue Emerald Forest, if time
Founders of
Sociology
SOCI 1010
Unit #1
Auguste Comte
• 1798 - 1857
• Founder of sociology
• Coined term
“sociology”
• Advocated applying
the scientific method
to the social world
Herbert Spencer
• 1820 - 1903
• Evolutionary theorist
-societies evolve
from lower to higher
forms
• Coined term
“survival of the
fittest”
• Known for social
Darwinism
Karl Marx
• 1818 - 1883
• German
philosopher
• Conflict theory
founder
• Class conflict key
Emile Durkheim
• 1858 - 1917
• French Sociologist
• 1st Sociology
Professor
• Work on suicide
• A founder of functional
perspective
Max Weber
• 1864 - 1920
• German sociologist
• Viewed religion as a
key force in social
change
• Famous for work on
bureaucracy
• Sociologists need to
be value-free
Review
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Who Am I?
1. I coined the term “sociology.”
2. I am the founder of conflict theory.
3. I advocated “value-free” research
and investigated bureaucracy.
• 4. I was the first professor of
sociology.
Film Clip
• The Gods Must Be Crazy
DOING RESEARCH
IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
SOCI 1010, Chapter #1
Identify the Problem
• “Problem” is the topic (it does
not have to be a serious
problem
• Review the literature
• Operationally define the terms
• Will there be observable data?
Formulate a Hypothesis
Hypothesis is the presumed
relationship between the
variables
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Independent variable = cause
Dependent variable = effect
Correlation vs. causation
Hypothesis must be testable
Sample Hypotheses
• The more you study, the higher your
grades will be.
• IV = study time
• DV = grades
• Trouble sleeping may result from
taking in too much caffeine
• IV =
• DV =
Design the Study
• Who has the data you need?
• Who is your population?
• How can you find out what you
need to know?
• Draw a sample to represent the
population
Methods of Selecting a Sample
• Random Sample
– all members of the population have
an equal and independent chance
• Systematic Sample
– every “nth” name is selected from a
list
• Convenience Sample
– those who are available and/or willing
to participate
Types of Research Designs:
Past
• Past oriented
–historical studies
What was…?
–Precollected data; secondary
sources
Types of Research Designs:
Present
• Present oriented - descriptive
What is the current status of …?
• Survey, observation, or field
research
Surveys - Asking Questions
• Interview
–in person, oral
• Questionnaire
–on paper
Surveys - Asking Questions
• Types of Questions:
–open ended
–forced choice or close ended
Attendance Survey
• Hypothesis: There will be a difference
between males and females in their
snack or comfort food preferences.
• H2: Men will prefer salty/savory foods
whereas women will prefer sweet
foods.
What are the independent and dependent
variables?
• IV = sex of the individual
• DV = food preferences
Observational Studies
• Naturalistic
– unobtrusive observation
– Minimal influence on subjects or situation
• Participant
– becoming a member of the group being
studied
• Simulated
– creating the scenario
Field Research
• Case study
– in-depth look at one individual or
group
• Ethnography
– cross-cultural studies (anthropology)
Types of Designs:
Future-Oriented Studies
• What will be if … ?
• Experimental research
–manipulating an independent
variable
Classical Experimental
Design
Control
Group
Experimental
or Treatment
Group
Pre-test
Post-test
Dependent
variable
Dependent
variable
Dependent
variable
Dependent
variable
Independent
Variable
Collect and Analyze Data
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Employ the research design
Organize and analyze the data
Statistical analysis
Make decisions relevant to the
hypothesis
• “Support” or “accept” or “fail to
accept” -- never “prove”
The Data from the Class Survey
• N = 16
Salty/Savory
• Males
• Females
• Can I support my hypothesis?
• How might I use such findings?
Sweet
Report Results
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Publish findings
Debrief participants, if needed
Support theoretical perspective
Spin off next studies
Ethical Considerations
• Do not harm the subjects
• Informed consent before
participation
• Do not coerce participation
• Do not deceive participants or
sponsors
• Use ethical means of data collection
• Report results accurately
Assignment
• Continue Chapters 1 - 2
• Research ethics in Krippendorf’s Tribe