Scribd
Upload
39 views23 pages

How To Do Research

This document provides an overview of how to conduct research. It discusses selecting a topic and defining a problem, reviewing literature, formulating a hypothesis, choosing a research method such as surveys, interviews, or experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and sharing results. It also covers deciding which research method is best based on resources, subjects, and purpose, and discusses ethics in sociological research.

Uploaded by

Umer Awan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
39 views23 pages

How To Do Research

This document provides an overview of how to conduct research. It discusses selecting a topic and defining a problem, reviewing literature, formulating a hypothesis, choosing a research method such as surveys, interviews, or experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and sharing results. It also covers deciding which research method is best based on resources, subjects, and purpose, and discusses ethics in sociological research.

Uploaded by

Umer Awan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 23

Research

How to do Research
What is a Valid
Sociological Topic?
• Macro - Broad Matters

• Micro - Individualistic Matters


Common Sense and the
Need for Research
• What Everyone Knows May Not Be True

• Move Beyond Guesswork


A Research Model

• Selecting a Topic

• Defining a Problem

• Reviewing the Literature

• Formulating a Hypothesis
A Research Model

• Choosing a Research Method

• Collecting Data

• Analyzing Results

• Sharing Results
Research Methods

Surveys
• Selecting a Sample
• Random Sample
• Stratified Random Sample

• Asking Neutral Questions


Research Methods

Questionnaires
• Self-Administered
• Allow the Largest Sample
• Low Cost
• Loss of Researcher Control
Research Methods

• Interviews
• More Researcher Control
• Time Consuming
• Interviewer Bias
• Structured Interviews
• Unstructured Interviews
• Establishing Rapport
Research Methods

Participant Observation
• Researcher Participates
• Problems with Generalizability
• Done for Exploratory Work
• Generates Hypotheses
Research Methods

Case Studies
• Focus on Single
• Event
• Situation
• Individual
• Reveals Detail
• Problem with Generalizability
Research Methods

Secondary Analysis

• Analyze Data Collected by Others

• Researcher Cannot Be Sure of Data Quality


Research Methods
Documents
• Examine Books, Newspapers, Diaries, etc.
• Limited Scope
• Cannot Study Topic Unless Access is Granted
Research Methods

Experiments

• Experimental Group

• Control Group

• Independent Variables

• Dependent Variables
Research Methods

Unobtrusive Measures

• Observe People Without Them Knowing

• Question of Ethics
Deciding Which
Method to Use
• Access to Resources

• Access to Subjects

• Purpose of Research

• Researcher’s Background and Training


Deciding Which
Method to Use
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Emphasis on Precise Measurement
• Uses Statistics and Numbers
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Emphasis on Observing, Describing, and Interpreting Behavior
How Not to do
Research
• Choose Biased Sample
• Ask Biased Questions
• List Biased Choices
• Discard Undesirable Results
• Misunderstand Subjects World
• Analyze Data Incorrectly
Controversy in Research

• Poke into Private Areas of Lives

• Threatens Those with a Stake


Ethics in Sociological
Research
• Openness, Honesty, and Truthfulness
• Forbids Falsifying Results
• Condemns Plagiarism
• Subjects’ Informed Consent
• Subjects’ Anonymity
How Research and Theory
Work Together
• Neither Research nor Theory can Stand Alone

• Theories Must Be Tested

• Findings Must be Explained with Theory


Thank you for your
Patience.

You might also like