Lecture 2 - Research Methods

Question 1

What is Operationalization?

Answer 1

Operationalization is the process of translating theories and concepts into hypotheses that are an observable (testable) statement of the main claims in the theory

Question 2

What are variables in Operationalization?

Answer 2

Variables are characteristics of the world that we’re interested in. They must be observable and capable of taking on a range of different values (ethnicity, age, years of schooling, annual income)

Question 3

What are traditionally the standard of research?

Answer 3

Experiments performed in a controlled environment where factors can be manipulated to determine their effects on the outcome

Question 4

What is the most widely used social scientific research technique?

Answer 4

Surveys
- used to collect data that can be generalized to a larger population, often on populations that cannot be studied in person

Question 5

What is an important aspect to consider when taking surveys?

Answer 5

Language

- language used can affect resposnes

Question 6

What is Sampling?

Answer 6

Use a small sample of larger population to make statements about the large population

Question 7

What is a Random Sample?

Answer 7

Everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected

Question 8

What is the main goal of Field Research?

Answer 8

Main goal of qualitative research is to generate rich, nuanced data not easily captured by other means

Question 9

In what ways can you perform Field Research?

Answer 9

Methods include participant observation, ethnography, in-depth interviewing, and documentary analysis

Question 10

What are ethics?

Answer 10

Principle of informed consent?

- do the people know or understand what they’re doing

Question 11

What is Ethnography?

Answer 11

Participant observation falls under the broader category of qualitative research known as ethnography
- This means becoming involved in the personal lives of research subjects for an extended period of time

Question 12

When is Documentation most commonly used as a research method?

Answer 12

When researching large institutions (criminal justice system, churches, political groups, sometimes families)

Question 13

What are the benefits of conducting Field Research?

Answer 13

• Research flexibility
• detailed data provide a better understanding
• generalization is usually not a key objective

Question 14

What is Secondary Data Analysis?

Answer 14

Re-analyzing existing data collected by others

Question 15

What is Content Analysis?

Answer 15

Examination of newspapers, magazines, TV shows, and case records

Question 16

How do you select a Research Method? (2)

Answer 16

1. ) The problem determines the research method

2. ) Often best to use multiple methods

Question 17

What is one of the most important developments in sociology?

Answer 17

The attempt to integrate micro and macro approaches

Question 18

How are social problems are understood best?

Answer 18

By examining both social structure and human agency