1Class 8The Social Research ProcessIdentify In(dependent) Variables(1) Unhealthy men are more likely to be (re)married than their healthier counterparts. (2) As people age, they tend to commit fewer crimes.(3) In female-dominated occupations, women are less likely to be promoted than men.(4) Women working in female-dominated occupations are less likely to be promoted than their counterparts in male-dominated occupations.Why do students who use marijuana tend to have better grades?2Process of Social Research1. Develop a theory.2. Construct a hypothesis.3. Define main concepts.4. Specify the operations involved in measuring variables.5. Data collection.6. Data analysis.7. Write up a report.Literature Search• How to use online library catalogues and bibliographic databases• Link to UW Library• Refereed journals vs. newspapers and magazinesHow to Read Social Research• Begin with the abstract• Skim the piece• Read the conclusion to get a good sense of what it is about• Read the article. Make sure that you understand the graphs and tables• Form questions as you read and take notes3Structure of a Research Article• Purpose and Overview• Literature Review• Study Design and Execution• Analysis and Interpretation• Summary and ConclusionsQuestions to Ask about a Research Article• What is the research question? • What is the hypothesis?• What data is the study based on?• What is the unit of the analysis?• How are the key variables measured?• What did the authors find? • What is the significance of the study?• What are the theoretical underpinnings of the study?Questions to Ask about a Research Article• Is the methodology sound?• Are the conclusions supported by the results? • What contribution is it making to the disciplinary knowledge base? • What are the strengths and
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