SOC 10000 1st Edition Lecture 4Outline of Last Lecture I. Research MethodsA. Research + ExperienceII. Approach to researchIII. Causality vs. CorrelationIV. What makes good research?V. Types of Data CollectionVI. Research IssuesOutline of Current Lecture VII. Research methodsVIII. Ethical considerationIX. CultureCurrent LectureSurveys- Looking for an association b/t our variables- We can add control variables to examine differencesThreats to survey validity- 1. Exclusion of part of the population from the sampling frame- 2. Refusal of some people to participate in the survey- 3. Unwillingness of some respondents to answer some questions frankly- 4. Asking leading or confusing questions or questions that refer to multiple, unimportant, or noncurrent eventsAnalysis of existing documents + data- Secondary data analysiso We run research on existing data and documents Ex: you can use the ICPSRo AdvantagesThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute. 1. Can save time and money because they are available in libraries 2. Usually covers the entire population and are collected using rigorous methods 3. Does not require dealing with live subjects 4. Researcher’s presence does not influence the subject’s behaviorEthical Considerations- Researchers must respect a subject’s:o Safetyo Privacyo Confidentialityo Informed consent- The safety of research subjects is of great importance- Do not want to harm them physically or mentallyo Ex: Milligram’s study violated this (before it was standard)Privacy- Subjects have the right to determine whether their behaviors or attitudes can be revealed to the public and in what wayConfidentiality- Researchers must ensure that data cannot be traced back to a particular subjectInformed consent- Subjects must be told what they are signing- Subjects must be told how the information gathered will be used- They must be able to weigh benefits and risks of their participationMore consideration- special populations- Children- can not give informed consent- Elderly- memory problems- Mentally disabled- informed consent not legally permitted- Prisoners- may feel being forcedIRB- IRB= Institutional Review Board- Reviews research proposals for possible ethical violations- Approval required for literature if it will be publishedWhat do we do with sociological research?- Public sociology= refers to the practice of using sociological research, teaching, and service to reach a wider (not solely academic) audience + to influence societyChapter 3 Culture and the MediaWhat is culture?- Culture can be loosely defined as a set of beliefs, traditions, and practices- Not biologicalDefining culture- Population (mass) culture is culture consumed by all classes- A society is composed of people who interact in a defined territory, and share a culture.What is culture?- The concept of culture has evolved and expanded throughout history- The oldest understandings of culture focus on the distinction b/to Natural environment ando What is modifiedCultural Survival Kits- Abstraction= create ideas or ways of thinking that are not linked to particular instances- Cooperation= establishing generally accepted ways of doing things- Production= making and using tools and techniques that improve our ability to take what we want from natureo Ex: agriculture industry. Simple tools to complex