Transcript File

INTSOCI
SCIENTIFIC
METHOD/SOCIAL
RESEARCH
Human Inquiry
 In social science, what matters is not only
what we know but ___________.
Module 5
WHAT IS THE
SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
█
Systematic,______
series of steps that
ensures maximum
_________ and
___________
in researching
a problem.
How scientific method is used in
social science?
 _______ explains what the reality is, and not
with what should be or the ideal state (not
philosophy or belief)
 We use science to know what _______ and
why?
 We use science to find ______of regularity in
social life. (social research)
Module 5
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
__________- A statement of what you expect to find
according to predictions that are based on a theory.
___________- A systematic explanation for the
observations that relate to particular aspect of life
(e.g., juvenile delinquency, social stratification, or
political revolution) (Babie, 2007, p. 10)
Nexus of Research and Theory
 Theory cannot stand alone.
 If theory is not connected to
research, _________ (Henslin,2002).
 Sociology looks at social life by
combining research and theory.
_______ Approach
_______ Approach
 Grounded Theory
Module 5
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
█
Select a Topic (timely, relevant, interest,
contribution, research gap)
Research Gap- Missing element in the
research literature.
Module 5
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
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Defining the Problem- narrow down the
topic.
_________ definition: Explanation of an
abstract concept that is specific enough
to allow researchers to assess the concept.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
 Review of Literature-To refine a
problem.
 To find out what is already published.
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
█
Formulating the Hypothesis
– A hypothesis predicts relationship of two
variables, factors that vary, or change, from
one person or situation to another.
Scientific Method
 Your hypothesis will need operational
definition, i.e., precise way to measure the
variables.
 Men who are socially isolated are more likely
to abuse their wives then are men who are
more socially integrated.
 Social isolation, social integration, and
spouse abuse.
Scientific Method
 Independent Variable-A factor that
causes the change in another variable
(called the dependent variable)
 Dependent Variable-A factor that is
changed by the independent variable.
Scientific Method
 Students will likely get high scores in
the exam taken without a background
music than with a background music.
What is your independent variable?
What is your dependent variable?
Module 5
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
█
Formulating the Hypothesis
– Causality: Involves relationships between a
condition or variable and a particular
consequence, with one event leading to the
other. (X results to Y)
– Correlation: Exists when change in one
variable coincides with change in another X
(increases/decreases) Y (increases/decreases)
Correlation does not
necessarily indicate causation.
Correlation
 Observed Correlation
 Shoe Size and Math Skills
 Bigger shoe size is associated greater math
skill. (cannot explain relationship)
 Age may serve as the factor that establish
the relationship of the correlation.
COLLECTING AND ANALYZING
DATA
█
Selecting the Sample
– Sample: Selection from a larger population
that is statistically typical of that population
(CENSUS).
– Random sample: When every member
of a population has the same chance
of being selected
Sampling
_________ –recruitment of participants
through word of mouth or by posting
notices on the Internet
Purposive Sampling- a sampling in which
the units to be observed are selected on
the basis of the researcher's judgment
about which one will be the most
representative.
COLLECTING AND ANALYZING
DATA
– ________: Degree to which the measure
reflects the phenomenon being studied.
– extent to which a test measures
what it claims to measure
– __________: Extent to
which the measure
provides consistent results.
– A test is considered reliable if we
get the same result repeatedly
Module 6
TYPES OF RESEARCH
█
█
Quantitative research:
Collects and reports data
primarily in numerical form
Qualitative research:
Relies on what is
seen in field and
naturalistic settings;
often focuses on small
groups and communities
Module 6
MAJOR RESEARCH DESIGNS
█
Research design: Detailed plan or
method for obtaining data scientifically
–
–
–
–
Surveys
Observation
Experiments
Existing sources
Module 6
SURVEYS
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Study that provides sociologists with
information about how people act or think
– Interview:
Researcher obtains
information through
face-to-face or
telephone questioning
– Questionnaire:
Researcher uses
printed or written form
to obtain information
from respondent
SURVEY
 Self-Administered
 Face to Face Interview
 Telephone
 Internet
Strengths
 Good in describing the characteristics
of your population.
 Large sample
 Flexible (as opposed to experiment)
Weaknesses
 Results in fitting of round pigs into square
holes. (You may miss what is most
appropriate in to all respondents)
 Lacks feel of the total situation (one may
not be able explain what factors lead to
certain phenomenon in depth)
 Artificiality
Module 6
MAJOR RESEARCH DESIGNS
█
Research design: Detailed plan or
method for obtaining data scientifically
– Observation
Module 6
OBSERVATION
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Collecting information through
direct participation and/or by closely
watching a group or community
– Observation: Sociologist joins group to
get accurate sense of how it operates
– Ethnography: Efforts to describe
an entire social setting through
extended systematic observation
Types
 Direct Observation: Researchers watch a
behavior as it occurs and report what they
see.
 Indirect Observation: Researchers
observe the results of a behavior.
 Unobtrusive or Disguised Observation:
Subject does not know he/she is being
observed.
 Obtrusive or Undisguised Observation:
Subject knows he/she is being observed.
Participant Observation
 You stay in the area for at least six
months.
 Due to prolong exposure, people
being observed may no longer mask
realities of their every day life.
 Danger of going native
Limitations
 Researcher bias can enter into data
collection. (reflexivity in research)
 Any group that is studied is altered to some
degree by the very presence of the
researcher.
 It takes time to build trust with participants
that facilitates full and honest selfrepresentation.
EXPERIMENTS
█
Artificially created situation that allows
researcher to manipulate variables
– Experimental group:
Exposed to independent variable
– Control group: Not
exposed to independent variable
– Hawthorne Effect: Unintended influence
of observers or experiments on subjects
Examples
 Does using colored paper improve learning or
performance?
 Are faster-paced styles of music (i.e. dance, hip-hop,
rap, etc) correlated to particular personality traits
such as extraversion and high self-esteem?
 Are people who prefer more complex musical styles
such as classical and jazz more creative?
 Do people who like more aggressive musical styles
(i.e. heavy metal, rap) more assertive?
Experiment
 Does eating breakfast really improve
learning?
Helps perform better at work/school:
Hungry employees and students don’t do any good at work/school.
When you are hungry you are irritable and disinterested which
reflects on your work too. Breakfast helps you to wake up and
makes you attentive.
Module 6
USE OF EXISTING SOURCES
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Secondary analysis: Research
techniques that make use of
previously collected and publicly
accessible information and data
Content analysis: Systematic
coding and objective recording
of data, guided by some rationale
Other Methods
 Focus Group Discussion
Other Methods
Drawing Technique
Ethnography
 Is a qualitative research
 Popularized by Margaret Mead
 Anthropologist
 A systematic (thick) description of
contemporary culture often through
fieldwork.
Difference between Sociology
and Anthropology

Anthropology ‘“ is a social science that is concerned with
human culture as well as the physical and social characteristics
that create that culture. Often it will compare one group of
humans to another or even compare humans with animals.

Sociology ‘“ is a social science that studies the functionality of
human society including origins, development, and
organization. It will also look at these attributes inside
institutions and organizations.”
Read more: Difference Between Anthropology and Sociology |
Difference Between | Anthropology vs Sociology
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/differencebetween-anthropology-and-sociology/#ixzz1yNpgj1H2