Sociologists have different types of research methods they can use to acquire data. The various forms of research methods include surveys, ethnography, experiments, biographical research and historical analysis. These research methods are quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative research methods measure social phenomena by using statistical measures. Whereas qualitative research methods to gather rich, detailed data.
Quantitative research methods include surveys such as standardized/self-completion questionnaires. Questionnaires are delivered in a range of ways, including, by post, through email, or collected on the spot. Standardized questionnaires oblige respondents to answer questions that are pre-set. The questions are closed-ended; thus
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On the other hand, representativeness is by a low response rate, particularly if the individuals who give back their questionnaires contrast somehow from the individuals who do not. Surveys are appealing to positivist on the grounds that they yield on quantitative information about variables - this allows researchers to test a hypothesis and to identify a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. However, some sociologist may prefer other surveys such as open-ended questionnaires - this gives respondents the opportunity to express themselves in their own words, instead of restricting them to a fixed choice of …show more content…
There are two types of experiments sociologist should consider: laboratory experiments and field experiments. Laboratory experiments take place in an artificial environment whereby the researcher controls the circumstances that are being studied. The purpose of this research method is to discover causal laws by controlling the two variables to see their effects. There are two groups in lab experiments - the experimental group (this group is exposed to the independent variable) and the control group (this group is not exposed to the independent variable). An advantage of laboratory experiments is that direct comparison of the two groups can be made allowing the researcher to test hypotheses and discover the cause of differences in behaviour. However, a disadvantage is the Hawthorne effect - this is when individuals’ behaviour change because they know they are being watched. Positivist favour laboratory experiments because they have high reliability. On the other hand, Interpretivist favour field experiments as it is more likely to reflect real life behaviour because of its natural setting, i.e. higher ecological validity than a lab
The laboratory experiment gives the experimenter a greater chance to control the conditions and enables you to measure behaviour with greater precision. This method also allows for quantative research and also enables greater control of variables. Although it gives the experimenter greater control, this can also seem daunting to the subject who may feel more uncomfortable and is less likely to ...
A sociologist should be able to observe and understand the realities of human behavior and the social settings in which it happens without being influenced emotionally or personally.
Sociologists researchers first make ontological assumptions. That is to say, they decide what they are studying or what should be studied. They decide what the subject matter consists of and the meanings behind it. They must consider the social reality and the nature of being, in relation to the subject matter.
There are two types of research that can be conducted in research studies, these are qualitative and quantitative (Newman, 2011). Qualitative research is a process that uses detailed oriented methodology that tries to achieve a profound knowledge or understanding of specific incident and circumstance, wh...
To begin, some of the methods sociologists use to gather their data are either through surveys, observation, interviews, or even the use already published materials (Babbie 2014). However, sociologists are not limited to just use of one method in their research. For instance, Langenkamp’s research about the effects of school mobility and academic achievement during the adolescence period used published materials, surveys, and interviews(2016). Two or more
For everything that occurs, there will somehow be something that caused the action to happen. It is more of a cause and effect ideal or simple a reaction to an action. In terms of research academics, independent and dependent variables are concepts or attributes to certain things that occur such as drug use, crime, or domestic abuse. For example, stress or other personal problems may lead to someone to use drugs. Also, poverty may lead someone to commit crime. In addition, a power controlled individual may cause a partnership to suffer physical or verbal abuse.
As a sociologist, conducting research outside of the laboratory in a structured manner is necessary to produce accurate results. Sociologists conduct research outside of the laboratory to better learn about the people they are analyzing. Many different types of research are used by a sociologist to better understand the phenomena they are researching. Lastly, sociologists use the scientific method to provide structure and repeatability to their research. To gather unbiased data, sociologists conduct experiments outside of the laboratory and follow the scientific method.
Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).
Research in healthcare is used to answer a question or to test a method about how something effects another. Connor (2014) states that research is about investigation, exploration, and discovery. Research is also about creating a dynamic environment for promoting healthcare, health, and wellness. There are two different types of research: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is a numerical way to collect data and using it to obtain information. Ingham-Broomfield (2014) refers to quantitative research as a means for testing objective theories by looking at relationships among variables and that the word quantitative implies quantity or amounts. Qualitative research is more of a verbal research method. It looks at life experiences and gives meaning to them (Connor. 2014).
Sociological methods include the same methods used in other social science disciplines, such as experimentation, observation, surveys, experiments, content analysis and focus groups. Sociological researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods to test hypotheses. Sociology gives us both an understanding of the world we live in, and can also help us to better understand ourselves in terms of the roles we play within our society, our ideas, and human culture. We can learn immensely about ourselves through the social encounters we have all encountered. We learn where ideas come from, why and how we react in certain ways to situations, what are the advantages and disadvantages in our reactions, why and how we adapt to certain norms and not others. We learn to see ourselves as an actor whose role is influenced by the outside social world. We try to learn how to face and interpret people, not with our own emotional judgment, but with an objective, reasonable
The Advantages and Limitations of Social Surveys in Sociological Research To survey something, is to carry out a systematic overview so that a researcher can produce a comprehensive general report on it. Survey method is often used by positivist sociologists seeking to test their hypotheses, and to investigate causes and examine variables. As with every other sociological research, survey has its own advantages and limitations. Positivist research, which is in the scientific tradition, begins with a hypothesis that can be either confirmed or rejected according to the data collected. One of the significant advantages of survey method is that, it can be used to collect data that is a representative of a larger population.
In sociology to gather the information, you conduct samplings, surveys, and interviews. You are more active in your research to obtain your data. And from the data collected, sociologist try to answers questions such as how society and social trends affect families and individuals. In cultural anthropology the methods used for research is ethnography. Cultural anthropologist sits down and observe what is going on and from these observation data is collected for their research.
Studies using quantitative research analyze phenomena by trends and frequencies (Al-Busaidi, 2008). The sample size is important. A small sample could change the outcome. It could be an overrepresentation of a small subgroup within the specific population. The risk of sampling errors decrease as the sample size becomes larger. How the sample size is determined and the way participants are invited into the research is included within the write up. The data collected can be from a multitude of methods including interviews, questionnaires, attitude scales, or observational tools. When asking questions, the choices are typically closed-ended with fixed answers. The data analysis for quantitative studies includes complex language and statistical tests. The researcher identifies what statistical method was used and the results. It is commonly understood that if the research descriptive in design use descriptive statistics; while correlational studies, quasi-experimental and experimental studies use inferential statistics. Tables, charts, and graphs are displayed within the resu...
Qualitative and Quantitative study designs both can be beneficial in research design. They both provide valuable options for researchers in the field. These techniques can either be used separately in a research study or they can be combined to achieve maximum information. This paper will define the terms qualitative and quantitative; describe the similarities and differences between each; discuss how qualitative and/or quantitative research designs or techniques could be used in the evaluation of my proposed research; and discuss why linking analysis to study design is important.
Quantitative research involves the collection and converting of data into numerical form to enable statistical calculations be made and conclusions drawn. It provides a measure of how people think, feel or behave and uses the statistical analysis to determine the results. However, this measurement results in numbers, or data, being collected, which is then analyzed by using quantitative research methods (Byrne, 2007).