Sociology

CHAPTER 2

The Logic and Method of Sociological

Inquiry and Research
 Sociological Inquiry
 Is Primarily intended to find answer to
question on the observable social world
and social actions.
 Social actions are the ways in which
human interact with each other in social
units.
 Sociological inquiry is a systematic
analysis of the motivation and behavior
of individuals within groups. 2
Goals of Sociological Research

 The main goal of sociological research

is to Understand the observable word.
 The Main Function is to “ test or verify a
hypothesis”.

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CONDUCTING A SOCIAL
RESEARCH
Conducting a Sociological Inquiry
1) Define The Research Problem and
Review Related Literature.
2)Formulate Hypothesis – Hypothesis is a
proposition or assumption stating what
is to be resolved.
 Example - Gangs are more common in
the inner city areas due to issues such
as poverty.
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Conducting a Sociological Inquiry
3) Plan the Research Design- the
researcher has to select a research
design that includes The subject of the
study , method of conducting the
research , and the specific techniques
for collecting data.

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 The subject of the study
Example Teens who are smoking
 Method of conducting the research
2 kinds of Methods of research
A) Qualitative Research- Descriptive and
enables one to secure a subjective
understanding, interpretation , and
meaning of social behavior.
B) Quantitative Research – uses
mathematics in studying social behavior.
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4) Gather the Data- important part of the
research process. Time consuming but
essential to gather information which
forms the basis for conclusion. Data
gathered must be documented and
organized for analysis

5) Analyze the Data- it involves the testing

of hypothesis or answering the question
or assumptions using the data gathered.
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6) Formulate the conclusion- the
hypothesis here may be accepted,
rejected or modified.
7) Check or verify results- verification of
findings is necessary.
8)Communicate the results with others- it
must not stay on the researcher only.
They must be communicated with
others.

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 METHODOLOGICAL
DESIGNS IN SOCIOLOGY
 Methodological Design
 Experimental Design – A Method for
studying the relation between two or
more variables under highly controlled
conditions.
Dependent Variable- behavior being
observed
Independent Variable- changed
systematically . Tends to affect other
variables 11
 Survey Research
 Common research techniques
Involves a systematic large scale
collection of information from people
and about people through the use of a
questionnaire.
2 Kinds of sampling Techniques
Random Sample
Stratified Random Sample
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 Field Research
 Researcher goes to the community.
And lives with them and participates
with their activities for them to feel and
know their culture.
 Studying them in their natural setting.

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 Participatory Research
 The Researcher and the Participants
are working together to investigate the
participants problem and eventually
come up with a solution to the problem
its either long term or short – term

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Techniques and tools in
sociological inquiry
 OBSERVATION
 It is the foundation of social research
 One makes use of the various sense in
studying a social phenomenon or social
behavior
 It can be OVERT OR COVERT
 It can also be NON-PARTICIPATORY
or PARTICIPATORY

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 INTERVIEWS
 Obtains Data by interviewing people.
 2 types ( Non – Structured and
Structured)
 Questionnaire is another tool for
securing answer to written question
 Major problem to this is that
respondents are sometimes reserved
about expressing feelings.
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 HISTORICAL RESEARCH
 Involves a continuous and systematic
search for information and knowledge
about past events related to the life of
the person, group, society, or the world.
 Major Problem in here is that accuracies
or incompleteness in the information
obtained.

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 LIFE HISTORY

 Study of Personal life of a person.

Through a series of interviews the
researcher can probe into the decisive
moments in their life or the various
influences on their life.

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 CASE STUDY
 Extensive examination of a specific
group over a long period of time is
carried out the case study method.

 Case-Study aim to acquire in-depth

information about an individual, a group,
or population at one point in time.

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 CONTENT ANALYSIS

 Theanalysis of how people

communicate and the messages people
talk or write about.

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 USE OF FILMS AND TAPE
RECORDER
 Itis use to preserve information more
accurately

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 FEMINIST RESEARCH
 The Focus of feminist research is on
women’s experience and oppression
 Its Objectives are to understand,
advocate for, transform, and empower
men.
 It aims to help not only women but also
men to improve their situation and the
quality of their lives
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 Ethical Concern in
Sociological Research
 Respondents must be informed of it
subject and objectives
 All gather information must be for
research only
 Respondents is entitled to privacy and
full anonymity throughout the whole
process and after the results is
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Patterns of Behavior required
for sociological Inquiry
 Good Grasp of the basic premises of
their field
 OBJECTIVE
 A Critical Spirit
 Skeptical Receptivity
 Communality
 Liberalism
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 PREPARED BY:

Danielle Andrew Paderon

Kimberlite Lim
Jasmin Yang
Michael Lachica

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