Research is important to sociologists because it helps sociologists analyze the social data gathered to determine and interpret social phenomenon. Sociologists use qualitative and quantitative methods to aid in the creation of a valid and accurate analysis of the data. Theories and hypotheses are the first steps in a sociologist’s research. There are many methods that a sociologist can choose to use for research. The four major methods of research that a sociologist may choose to use are experiments, surveys, participant observation, and review of existing research.
Experiments are a study of relationships between independent and dependent variables in a controlled environment. Sociologists use experiments as a major research method because experiments are easy to control and researchers are able to manipulate the formed hypothesis if needed, as the experiment goes on. The participants within the experiment can be randomly or non-randomly selected. When randomly selected the participants are broken up into two groups, the control group and the experimental group. The control group will be placed under normal conditions while the experimental group will be placed under the changed or hypothesized conditions. The researcher will measure the progress or lack of progress, within the experiment at set intervals throughout the experiment. Extreme factors that can affect the experiment are likely to occur in the control group or experimental group equally. The odds of
The method has 5 phases: asking the question, researching existing sources, formulating a hypothesis, designing and conducting the study, and drawing conclusions. There are a few ways sociologist could gather information about the education system. One too could be surveying students and faculty. Sociologists also could use field research or participant observation to observe first hand in classrooms and schools. Ethnography could be used to observe the school system in a county or
A sociologist obtains their data by the scientific method as described above (utilizing the scientific method) observation, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and generalization. A sociologist would have to ask many questions. Knowledge of history, biological data, and environment are factors to be considered, therefore research would be important too. Seeing how all the facts are related, how the facts affect us, etc, would give new insights about the human condition.
There are several methods that are applicable to Law and Society research methods; as such more than a single method is usually involved in such a study. These methods consist of data, application, analysis, and other scientific methods. Within the discipline of Law and Society, there are several ways to research within respected and proper means.
Sociologists develop theories to explain and analyze society at different levels and from different perspectives. Sociologists study everything from the micro level of analysis of small social patterns to the “big picture” which is the macro level of analysis of large social patterns.
In a laboratory study of sleep deprivation, researchers employed a variety of techniques to keep
Experimental research concentrates on how and why something happens. It is the evaluation of how an independent variable (a manipulated factor) affects a dependent variable (an observed factor). The outcome can be affected by a number of elements; obtaining random and representative samples of the study population, experimenter bias and extraneous variables.
Experiment- A research method in which an investigator manipulates one or more factors (independent variables) to observe the effect on some behavior or mental process (dependent variable). By random assignment of participants, the experimenter aims to control other relevant factors.
The study was experimental because: 1) the researchers did manipulate the independent variables, and 2) Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups.
The use of research in the field of sociology has led to many breakthroughs in us as humans understanding both ourselves and our culture around us. As we as society continue working to develop a better understanding of how and why we act and interact with our surroundings we need to continue completing research to answer these questions. Research in sociology has created a better understanding of society and will continue to provide clues into the human mind. However, research must be completed properly and ethically along with proper research methods. Without proper procedures of completing research we as society may receive wrong information or biased answers about questions we want answered. There are four types of research that sociology uses to give us answers about our society and careful consideration must be taken to follow the rules of these research types.
Research is a primary component of sociology. Valid and relevant sociological research is dependent upon a commitment to applying the scientific method in a systematic and organized way in order to ensure maximum objectivity and consistency in research. Complete the following matrix based on a social problem of your choice. The matrix will serve as a guide for creating a preliminary plan for the basic steps of the scientific method.
In Neil Postman’s short essay, “Social Science as Moral Theology,” he describes the social sciences, such as sociology and psychology, not as sciences, but rather as “moral theology” and as “storytelling.” The authors of the textbook Sociology the Essentials would dispute these claims by arguing that social scientists are doing science with their work. In the third chapter labeled, “Doing Sociological Research” there is a section called “The Tools of Sociological Research” that goes into detail of all the different ways sociologists can gather research.
There are different factors that influence sociologist's choice of research. Sociologists have to firstly decide what particular area or topic they want to study, in order for them to carry out their research. When sociologists choose a topic, there are two types of sources available to the sociologists, they are Primary and Secondary. Primary is the data collected by the researchers themselves, usually in the form of questionnaires or interviews. Secondary is the data that is already available e.g. official statistics, diaries, historical documents etc. The researcher then has to decide what type of method they will use for their research.
This is an experimental study because it involves the manipulation of the variables at various degrees and seeing the effects of such a manipulation.
The theoretical works of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber still influence sociological theory. Though their works are decades old they still are a major part of what sociology is today. Though their theories can seem very different, there are some similarities. To become a great sociologist one most learn and understands how to use all sociological perspectives. To do this one must understand and use the different theoretical perspectives created by Marx, Durkheim, and Weber.
Sociologists use many different designs and methods to study society and social behavior. Most sociological research involves ethnography, or “field work” designed to depict the characteristics of a population as fully as possible.