U1.5 Research Methods

Research is important in sociology because

• It guides us to old myths

• It guides us to new discoveries

• It guides us to major social networks

• It helps us better understand ourselves

In class we discussed that when ice cream sales go up, so too does violent crime. This is a great example of the

phrase, “correlation does not equal causation.” What does this mean?

• There is no relationship between these

  variables.

• There is a spurious (informal)

  relationship between these two

  variables.

• The relationship between these

  variables is positive.

• The relationship between these two

  variables is negative.

The main difference between hypotheses and theories is that:

• Hypotheses use qualitative data,

  theories use quantitative data

• Hypotheses use evidence, theories do

  not

• Theories use qualitative date,

  hypotheses do not

• Theories use evidence, hypotheses do

  not

Mr. Winker is conducting a sociological research study on the underground music scene. He has just finished

collecting data for the study. What is the next step Mr. Winker should take in the sociological research method /

scientific method?

• Form a hypothesis, define variables

• Publish Finding

• Choose a research method

• Analyze the data

Keona is doing research on underage drinking. She in unsure what other research has been done on the topic. What step in the research process is she in?

• Conduct a literature review

• Identify a problem or ask a question

• Form a hypothesis, define variables

• Collect Data

What does it mean to operationalize a variable?

• Decide how to control the variable

• Decided how to interpret the variable

• Decide how to translate the variable

• Decide how to measure the variable

Which research method involves coming up with a series of questions and guiding the participant through them?

• Experimental Research

• Content Analysis

• Interviews

• Participant Obseration

Which research method involves collecting data by giving out written questions to people and letting them complete

them on their own?

• Survey research

• Content Analysis

• Interviews

• Participant Observation

Ensuring that as researchers, we do everything we can do to protect our subjects’ rights, privacy, and socio-emotional

well-being is:

• Research Ethics

• Research Bias

• Research Hypothesis

• Research Manners

Which research method involves testing out a theory in a controlled setting?

• Participant Observation

• Observational Research

• Interviews

• Experimental Research