SOC 302 1st Edition Lecture 6Outline of Last Lecture II.Human limitations’III.How social structures emergea.ConstraintsOutline of Current LectureII.Traditional scientific methodIII. Focusing researchIV.Processa.Conceptb.Dimensionc.Indicatord.MeasurementCurrent LectureThe traditional scientific method has three deductive parts to it. The first is theory, whichis how we believe some process to work. The second is operationalization, which is the specification by the researcher of how to carry out a particular research project. The third is to observe and analyze the data collected. It is important to note that sociological science is more partial and less objective than other sciences. The topics for sociological research are usually involved in generalizing about patterns, including things that operate in aggregates and things that are empirically observable, or observable through the senses. Sociological research can be divided into basic research, which simply advances knowledge of the world, and applied research, which offers solutions to issues in the world.Focusing research has three parts. The first is to identify a question that is testable, not general, specific, and reachable. The second is to devise a hypothesis, or a testable expectation about the empirical reality that follows from a more general proposition. The third step is to actually conduct the research. This is often done through survey research, which must include well thought-out questions and an appropriate sample. Some strengths of survey research include its precision, efficiency, flexibility, and usefulness. However, some weaknesses are that surveys sometimes have no validity, are subjective/superficial, and only measure what people can recall, since they are always asked questions about what has happened in the past. These 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.The process of sociological research can then be outlined by concepts, dimensions, indicators, and measurements. Concepts are latent, and not directly observable. Conceptualization is a mental process used to specify ideas. For example, one person’s idea when they hear the word “picnic” might include sandwiches at the park. Another person’s idea might be grilling on the beach. A good way to conceptualize “picnic” according to both of these people might be “eating food outdoors.” Dimensions, then, are specific aspects of a concept. Indicators are signs of the concept. Measurements are then made using operationalization, which is basically planning how to measure an indicator. Operationalization includes being clear about the range of variation and varying degrees of precision. It must be exhaustive and mutually