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Sociology 9/2 Ch. 2.1 Approaches to Sociological Research Bellringer Do you think that texting / phone use is changing teenagers’ abilities to spell or communicate clearly? Explain, and share an example if you can. Sociological Research Scientists in various fields attempt to answer these questions through research. Empirical Evidence, or evidence obtained thru direct experience, scientifically gathered data, experimentation, etc., is usually the best way to understand these types of questions. Otherwise, our own expectations or biases might interfere with how we see these things, and make it hard for us to truly know and understand what is occurring. The text mentioned this example: “When the moon is full, crime rises.” To test if this were true, researchers conducted a meta-analysis, which is a review of all available info on the subject (quite ambitious, yes?). After analyzing over 30 different studies, they saw that there was no link whatsoever. Thus, we see the importance of the scientific method in these questions. To explain such social phenomena, such as why there are so many trekkies, etc., social scientists often create hypotheses (i.e., educated guesses) to explain these. Put thru the Scientific Method, we can usually test these ideas and prove them right or false. Speaking of Logic… The scientific method actually works quite well for understanding human (or Vulcan 😉) behavior. The scientific method is used so often because it works. By using that framework, along with empirical evidence, we have and will continue to learn much about human behavior and interactions: So as a refresher, here is the Scientific Method: Ask a Question (why do people play Dungeons and Dragons? etc.) Research Existing Sources (check out blogs, clubs, etc. that are involved in the game) Formulate a Hypothesis (should be a bit better after your research than “They must be social outcasts!”) Design & Conduct a Study (how can you test your theory? Figure out some ways, then proceed!) Draw Conclusions (what did you observe / learn? Were you correct, or wrong? What does that mean?) Report Results: (What did you discover? What does that mean for others?) Science! As you use the scientific method, make sure to consider the following: What is the reliability of my conclusions? If someone tries this same experiment, will they reach the same conclusions? If not, that is a problem. Example: Is the experiment valid, or have validity? In other words, does it accurately measure what I want it to measure? Example: Little Boy Blue Variables are important; in sociology, your hypothesis will usually see how one behavior may influence another. An independent variable is the cause of a behavior, while a dependent variable is the effect, or the thing that changed as a result. Not all sociologists use the scientific method. Some prefer to use an interpretive framework, which focuses on understanding the issue from the point of view of participants, and thus better, in depth knowledge. Activity/ Homework: Sociology Science Experiment! Now, you are going to create your very own scientific study. You will be using the rest of class, and the weekend, and then presenting your findings later! First, consider a question you may have, then form a hypothesis: Are people homeless because they can’t afford housing? Hypothesis: The greater the availability of affordable housing, the lower the homeless rate Do people do bad at math because they just need practice? Hypothesis: The greater the availability of math tutoring, the higher the math grades Etc. For next time: Write up at least a paragraph for each of the discussed steps, and your analysis. Considering Variables Ch. 2.2 Research Methods So How Do I Carry Out My Research? Research is a crucial part of sociology; but how do we do it? How do we design a study, a scientific, methodical way of figuring this info out? It can be difficult. If you let people know they will be studied, they often act unnaturally, and change their behavior to what they think is expected. This is known as the Hawthorne Effect. Secondary Data Analysis is one way to get some info. That is likely how many of you got information over the weekend; i.e., looking at & analyzing studies that asked similar questions as you have. Surveys: Surveys are an easy, often anonymous way to collect data. Participants are asked a series of questions, often as a questionnaire. Very popular way to get data. Surveys, Cont. Most useful for how people think and feel Not all that great for observing behavior though. Surveys often target specific populations, or target groups (college athletes, international students, etc) An important part of a survey is an adequate sample, in other words, a manageable group of subjects that represent a larger group of people. Also, consent is important. Make sure that you let people know in a survey what you are trying to do and research. It can be quite easy to tabulate survey data; it is a great resource for quantitative data (info in numerical form that is easily represented on a chart, etc.) Questionnaires Continued: However, you don’t have to keep surveys simple. You can make them more complex, with short answers. While that can make it harder to look at the data, it also allows a better depth of understanding into the motivations of your subjects, their feelings, etc. This type of data is called qualitative data; it can be subjective and difficult to work with, but it also gives you a lot of stuff to work with. One way to get such data is an interview, or a one-onone conversation between you, the researcher, and a subject. This allows people to explain their answers, you can ask clarifying questions yourself, etc. Ideally, you let people know “There are no right or wrong answers; just be honest!” You do have to be careful, or it can be kind of pointless, or even offensive. Here’s a bad example: Field Research: Field research is studying your subjects in their natural environment. This helps make the data more natural and meaningful. Your purpose is to gather primary data, or firsthand info that you collected yourself. The purpose is to observe behaviors in the subject’s natural setting. It is great to learn how people behave, but doesn’t often help with the why. Thus, this data is kind of general, and helps people identify correlation, or relationships between things. It certainly has many limitations, but helps researchers understand the context of what they are researching. Example: Social Media Participant Observation Another great way to see people in their “natural environment” is to simply join in their activities, and observe them first hand, while participating like an average member of their group. Thus, a researcher may spend a week as a waiter, live as a homeless person for several weeks, or ride along with police officers on their daily beat. Sometimes, they reveal their purpose, sometimes not. Perhaps they have a question: What really goes on in the kitchen of this place?” or “What is it like to be homeless?” If you keep your purpose hidden, it can take weeks, months, or even years to seamlessly get involved to the point that you can better understand them. It is very useful, letting you see things you wouldn’t otherwise notice or know. Example: Vid Ethnography This is an extension of participant observation. Ethnography is an extended observation of an entire social setting, with its social perspectives and cultural values. The point of an ethnographic study is to understand how participants view their own social standing in their larger community. This might include observing: A small U.S. fishing town A private boarding school Life in an amusement park, etc. Example: VID Experiments Using the scientific method, as a way to test social theories is a very popular way. When you test such a hypothesis, like “If I bike to work every day, I will lose weight”, etc., this is known as an experiment. There are two types of experiments: Lab-based experiments: The research is controlled, and time is more useful. You get more data in a specific amount of time. Natural or Field Experiments: The generation of data is not as controlled, but the information is often considered more accurate and valid because it has less interference (from the researchers) clouding the results How this is done: Scientists often use this type of research. One method that is useful is dividing the subjects into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Then, the experimental group is exposed to the independent variable that they want to test, while the control group is not (though everything else is the same). This helps researchers see what would be different with that given independent variable. For example, let’s say a teacher simply ignored a group of students, while acknowledging others, to see whether being ignored made a difference in their attitude toward class. The ignored would be the experimental, the acknowledged the control group. Secondary Data Analysis Another great way to get info: Secondary Data Analysis. This is when you analyze data from other sources: past experiments, historians, teachers, etc. This can be done by looking thru journals, newspapers, books, online, etc. This saves time, money, and also allows us to see things they might not have been looking for. One big advantage of this is that we are getting nonreactive data. It means we are not inputting ourselves into the experiment being observed, thus we are not potentially tainting or affecting its results, etc. The data is not reacting to our studying it. This can be a difficult process, trying to sift through large amounts of data. And we do not always have all the facts. Thus, content analysis is key (or, in other words, figuring out a way to analyze the value of such information we are getting from these sources). Research: Grab a chromebook, and begin considering some of the many different questions or ideas you may have regarding society. If you wish, you may continue to work on the question / project you previously came up with. Or, you can create a new one. Follow these steps: First, consider a societal problem: Here’s a good place to see come: http://lib.guides.umd.edu/c.php?g=326995&p=2194601 Or google “Societal Problems” or “Social Problems” After you have a problem, determine the variables: It is best if you can narrow it down to one independent and dependent variable HW for today: Finish reading Ch 2.3 Approaches to Sociological Research What is your problem you want to learn about? What variables are involved? Create a definite hypothesis. What study or way are you going to test your theory?