Happy Wednesday!

1. Happy Wednesday! • You will have a little time to put your posters together

2. Research Methods

3. Background • Scientific Method: systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem • Rely on qualitative and quantitative research • Very limited in laboratory experiments

4. Step 1 and 2: Select a topic & define a problem • What do you want to know about? • Narrow the topic- needs to be specific enough to allow a researcher to assess the concept • Example: spouse abuse- TOO BROAD • Why men are more likely than women to be abusers- BETTER TOPIC

5. Step 3: Review the Literature • Read what has been published about your topic • Don’t waste time rediscovering what is already known • Allows researchers to: • Refine the problem under study • Clarify possible techniques • Eliminate and reduce avoidable mistakes

6. Step 4 &5: Formulate the hypothesis & choose a research method • Hypothesis- statement of what you expect to find according to predictions from a theory • Needs operational definition -precise way to measure variables • State the procedure the researcher will follow for collecting and analyzing

7. Step 6: Collecting Data • Select a sample- a selection from a larger population that is statistically representative of that population • Random sample • Data must be valid and reliable • Ways to gather data: • Survey • Observation • Analyze existing data

8. Step 7: Analyze Data • Test your hypothesis in this step • Is hypothesis supported? • Must not allow personal preference to be involved

9. Step 8: Share results • Hypothesis is formally accepted, rejected or modified • All work is published so others can verify and duplicate

10. Research Designs • The method you choose depends on the questions you want to answer • Goal is to find the “average” in your study

11. Surveys • Example: Gallup Poll • Asking individuals a series of questions • 2 main forms: Interview or Questionnaire • Interview can obtain a higher response rate • People find it more difficult to turn down personal requests • Interviewers can go deeper into questions • Questionnaires are cheaper

12. Surveys (continued) • Must create questions that allow respondents to express their own opinions • Closed-ended question- followed by a list of possible answers • Open-ended question-allows people to answer in their own words • Establish a rapport

13. Observations • Collect information by direct participation or closely watching a group or community • Major challenge: CANNOT allow close association or friendships influence the subjects behavior or the conclusion of the study

14. Secondary Analysis • Use of previous collected and publically accessible information and data • Not influenced by people’s behavior • Relies on someone else’s work, and may not be what is needed

15. Ethics in Research • Sociologists abide by the American Sociological Association (ASA) • Need to be certain they are not invading their subjects privacy • Use of human subjects must be overseen by a review board

16. Principles of Sociological Research • Maintain objectivity and integrity • Respect the subject’s rights to privacy and dignity • Protect subjects from personal harm

17. Principles of Soc. Research (continued) • Preserve confidentiality • Seek informed consent • Acknowledge research collaboration and assistance • Disclose all sources of financial support