Overview
This lecture introduces sociological research methods, explaining how to form research questions, define concepts, form hypotheses, collect data, and analyze results to understand society.
Defining Research Questions & Concepts
- Sociological research starts with a clearly defined question.
- Concepts must be specifically defined to ensure everyone understands them the same way.
- Operationalization means defining exactly what variable you’ll measure and how.
- Example: Defining "relationship status" as "reported marital status."
Hypotheses & Variables
- A hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationship between variables.
- Variables are things that can change or take on different values.
- Independent variables cause changes; dependent variables are affected by them.
- Measurement must be reliable (consistent) and valid (accurate to the concept).
Correlation vs. Causation
- Correlation means two variables move together, but doesn’t mean one causes the other.
- Example: Higher ice cream sales and higher murder rates are correlated due to a third variable (heat).
Data Collection Methods
- Experiments use control and experimental groups to test hypotheses.
- Surveys collect responses from a sample representing a larger population.
- Participant observation involves joining subjects in their daily lives, resulting in ethnographies.
- Existing resources like government statistics can be analyzed for research.
Research Ethics
- Researchers must protect subjects’ privacy and well-being.
- Informed consent is required for all participants.
- Research involving human subjects is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Analyzing Data
- Inductive reasoning builds theories from observations and data.
- Deductive reasoning tests hypotheses based on existing theories.
- Both types of reasoning are commonly used together in sociological research.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Operationalize — define a variable precisely and how it will be measured.
- Hypothesis — an educated guess about the relationship between variables.
- Variable — something that can vary or take different values.
- Independent Variable — the variable that is changed to test effects on the dependent variable.
- Dependent Variable — the variable that is measured to see if it is affected.
- Correlation — when two variables move together but not necessarily with causation.
- Reliability — consistency in measurement.
- Validity — accuracy in measuring the intended concept.
- Sample — a representative subset of a population.
- Ethnography — detailed observational study of a group’s way of life.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review how to define and operationalize variables in your research.
- Read about different data collection methods and ethical considerations.
- Prepare a potential research question and identify possible variables for your next assignment.