TOPIC 1.

Social Research
Methods
 Social Research
Goal: Test common sense & peoples assumptions then
replace with fact & vidence and make…………

Generalizations!!
Definition: statement
about a group of people
or things that is based on
only a few people or
things in that group.
 Social Research
Where to we do research?

• The whole world

is a sociologists lab!
 Two Types :
Quantitative: research that relies on numerical
data

VS.
Qualitative: research which uses observation
and relies upon descriptive data
 Methods:
 Experiment: research that takes place in a lab setting
(limited use in social research)

VS
 Field Research: research that takes place in a natural
(non-lab) setting (primarily used in social research)
 Methods:
 Survey: research method in which people respond to
questions (most common method used in research)

Two Types:
 Questionnaire: asking a sample population to respond to a
to a series of closed-ended questions
i t a t ive
a nt
Qu
 Interview: asking of open-ended questions in order to
gain required information
at iv e
Q ualit
 Methods:
Secondary/Historical Analysis: reading and analyzing
another persons data and research on a topic

 Case Study: in depth examination of a single group,

problem, or community
• Longitudinal Study: type of case study that is conducted
over a period of time.
• Cross-sectional Study: focus on data collected at a
specific period of time.
 Methods:
 Natural Observation: research
based on observation of people
in any given environment (place)

 Participant Observation: research in

which the researcher becomes
involved with the group being studied
Theoretical
Theoretical Research
Perspectives:
Reasoning:
Perspective: Method:
A questionnaire on violence in high schools
is sent to a national, random sample of
Functionalist Survey principals. The survey examines a possible
Theory relationship between incidence of school
violence and family life.
A particular high school with high levels of
fights is examined with respect to the
Conflict Case Study relationship between fights at school and
Theory family life at home. Researchers interview
principals, teachers, and students.

Symbolic Concealing their identity, a researcher takes a

temporary job at a high school with lots of
Interactionist Participant fights at school. They attempt to observe a
Theory Observation possible link between fights and family life.
The Social Research Method
Step 1:
Choose a Topic……AND……Ask a
Question
Example:
Topic  Sport and School Behavior and Grades
Question  What is the impact does playing a high
school sport have on the behavior of
student athletes in class?
The Social Research Method
Step 2:
Literature Review
• What does research that has already been done say about this topic?

Example:
I would read and review:
• American Sociological Association Journal Articles about Sports &
School
• Books by authors who studied this topic previously
• Interviews from athletes (high school and college)
• Newspaper Articles about Sports and School
The Social Research Method
Step 3:
State your Hypothesis
- What do I think will be my answer?
• Hypothesis= proposed explanation for a
phenomenon.
Example:
Hypothesis  Students who play a high school sport
will have better behavior in school
versus those students who do not play a high school
sport.
The Social Research Method
Step 4:
Develop your Research Plan
1. Choose your methods to collect data (3)
2. Create a timeline for your research
3. Choose your research population

Example:
Methods  Survey, Interview, Secondary Analysis (data)
Timeline  I will conduct my research over a period of 2
weeks
Population  I will research 50 student-athletes and 50
non-athletes grades 9-12 at SHS
The Social Research Method
Step 5:
Collect your Data
• Go out and perform your research!

Variables:
- Independent Variable= varied or manipulated by the
researcher; the ‘cause’.
- Dependent Variable= response that is measured; the
‘effect’.

Variable  Playing a sport (Independent) will yield either good

or bad behavior (Dependent)
The Social Research Method
Step 6:
Analyze your Data
Analyze your data and look for the following:
• Patterns and Relationships
• Correlations and Causations

Example:
Patterns  A majority/few student athletes have good behavior in
class.
Relationship  Being a student-athlete causes better behavior in
class (Direct Relationship)
Correlation  I found a positive correlation between student-
athletes and positive behavior
 The Social Research Method
Step 7:
State your Conclusions
• What generalizations can be drawn from the results of your research?
• Was your hypothesis proven correct or incorrect?

Example:
Hypothesis  My hypothesis was proven to be correct
Generalization  Students who play high school sports tend to
behave better in class.
 Examining Results
 Causation= an outcome has been directly
caused by a variable or factor.
Sociologists examine cause and effect by looking at the
variables, or characteristics, involved.
 Examining Results
 Correlation= a change in one variable
regularly associates with a change in
another variable.
 Caveat: When
conducting research,
either in a lab setting or
in society, outcomes do
not always match the
intended results.