Survey
research method in which people are asked to answer a series of questions. It is the most widely used research method among sociologists. It is a type of quantitative research. It is ideal for studying large numbers of people. Researchers describe the peo
Goal of sociological research
to test common sense assumptions and replace false ideas with facts and evidence. For sociologists, the world is their laboratory.
quantitative
research that uses numerical data. Tools include surveys and pre collected data. 90% of research published in journals is based on surveys.
qualitative
research that rests on narrative and descriptive data.
population
all those people with the characteristics a researcher wants to study. EX: all high school seniors in the U.S.
sample
a limited number of cases drawn from the larger population. It must be carefully selected if it is to have the same basic characteristics as the general population.
representative sample
a sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population as a whole. This allows the researcher to make generalizations about the entire population. The Gallup Poll and Harris Poll use representative samples in their surveys. To get a repre
questionnaire
a written set of questions that survey participants answer by themselves. may contain close-ended or open-ended questions.
interview
a trained interviewer asked questions and records the answers. may contain close-ended or open-ended questions.
closed-ended questions
questions a person must answer by choosing from a limited, predetermined set of responses. EX: multiple choice questions. These sometimes fail to uncover underlying attitudes and opinions. But they make it easier to tabulate responses and compare.
open-ended questions
ask the person to answer in his or her own words. Answers to these questions can reveal many attitudes. However, these answers are not easy to quantify or compare.
secondary analysis
using pre-collected information for data collection and research purposes. It is a well-respected method of collecting data in sociology. Emile Durkheim relied on pre-collected data. EX: the US Census Bureau is one of the most important sources of pre-col
Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis
1. pre-collected data provide sociologists with inexpensive, high-quality information.
2. existing sources of information permit the study of a topic over a long period of time.
3. the researcher cannot influence answers because the data have been collect
field research
research that takes place in a natural (non laboratory) setting. It looks closely at aspects of social life that cannot be measured quantitatively. EX: "jock" culture is best studied by field research. It is qualitative. Scientists have a responsibility t
case study
the most popular approach to field research. It is an intensive study of a single group, incident, or community. This method assumes the findings in one case can be generalized to similar situations.
participant observation
a case study where the researcher becomes a member of the group being studied. EX: John Howard Griffin, a white journalist, dyed his skin to study the life of African Americans in the South. a researcher may join a group with or without informing its memb
quantitative research methods
Survey research
secondary analysis: using pre-collected information for data collection and research purposes.
experiment
qualitative research methods
case study: intensive study of a single group, incident, or community