SOC 101 SECTION 1007 8 31 15 Ch 2 Notes Sociological Investigation Research methods Sociologists 1 Use the sociological perspective 2 Are curious and ask questions Empirical science Use scientific methods Research methods rules and procedures that guide research and We need to systematically measure and observe interactions in help make it valid that is give our findings meaning order to obtain empirical data Concepts and Variables how do we measure racism money age More on measurement mental constructs that represent some part of the world but can potentially be measured concepts whose values change from case to case Concepts Abstract Ex prejudice racism class power Variables Measurement The process of determining the value of a variable in a specific case Simple Complicated Operational definitions definition that spells out exactly how a concept is to be measured inferior generalization unequal opportunity avoid that particular race Indicators things that reflect or measure or indicate and abstract concept How comfortable is a person talking to that racial group Reliability tells us that we have a consistent measure of a concept The extent to which a study or a research instrument gives us consistent results measures what it is supposed to measure what we intend it to measure Cause and Effect Independent variable etc Dependent variable Income job satisfaction etc Correlations Spuriousness because of a third outside variable change in one variable causes change in another causes the change age gender occupation depends on the value of the independent variable 2 variables occur together 2 variables occur together but their relationship is the extent to which our measure actually and accurately Relationships among Variables Validity Control see the effect of that variable holding constant all variables except one in order to clearly Ideal of Objectivity Value free Science Science presumes to be free of values objective But are humans really completely objective Is science value free bias free Yes and no the method we use is supposed to keep out personal opinion and bias But the kinds of questions and things we choose to study are based upon personal opinion and bias Interpretive and critical sociology developed in response to the limitations of positivistic sociology Interpretive sociology the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world Why symbolic reaction Interpretive sociology differs from positivism value free ideal There s stuff that scientific approach doesn t account for Like what 1 Focus on meaning not on action 2 People construct their own reality in their everyday lives different from thinking about one true reality social construction 3 Favors qualitative data versus quantitative methods Sociologists observe behavior but move beyond to try and understand Verstehen Rejects the idea that society is fixed unchanging stable and orderly Karl Marx CS focuses on the need for change Social justice each member of society is created equal Not how does society work but should society continue in its why people act present form This idea rejects the positivist claim that researchers should stay objective Critical Sociology Research Methods theory Critical race feminist Marxist Criticized for being too political and therefore un objective KNOWLEDGE ACTION Praxis In general Non political conservative scientific sociologists Liberal radical critical sociologists Research orientation Theorhetorical perspective Scientific structural functionalist Interpretive symbolic interaction Test of hypothesis Experiments experiment educated guesses we have some control over the conditions of the Aspects of research methods series of questions in a questionnaire or formal interview why use sample rather than population fieldwork researcher systematically observes The U S census people while joining them in their routine activities Surveys Populations vs samples Participant observations More flexible Not trying to control as much What kinds of questions would this be good for Secondary data analysis newspapers lyrics literature Content analysis Social class Operationalize Your text OPERATIONLIZES Social Class thusly Let s say we want to study level of commitment to a religion years of schooling occupational prestige religiosity How would we measure that do you practice the values of your religion asking new questions of existing data income level Critical questions Chapter Overview Science as One Type of Truth Basics of Sociological Investigation Types of truths starts with 2 simple requirements apply the Critical sociology Sociological investigation The last truth is science a logical system that bases knowledge on direct systematic Science Scientific knowledge rests on empirical evidence information we can Interpretive sociology sociological perspective and be curious and ask questions belief or faith God truth from recognized experts physician if sick truth based on simple agreement among ordinary people sexual intercourse among ten year olds is wrong observation verify with our senses 6 assumed statements 1 Poor people are far more likely than rich people to break the law 2 The united states is a middle class society in which most people are 3 More poor people don t want to work 4 Differences in the behavior of females and males are just human 5 People change as they grow old losing many interest as they focus on 6 Many people marry because they are in love Doing sociology means learning about the social world nature their health more or less equal Common Sense versus Scientific Evidence Three Ways to Do Sociology Defining Concepts Positivist Sociology Three ways to do research positivist sociology interpretive sociology the study of society based on systematic facts we can verify with our senses and critical sociology observation of social behavior simplified form specific case How would you measure a person s social class Positivist sociology Empirical evidence Concept Variable Measurement mental construct that represents some part of the world in a a concept whose value changes from case to case A procedure for determining the value of a variable in a Concepts Variables and Measurement Measurement is always somewhat arbitrary Good research requires a sociologist to Operationalize a variable by specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable Reliability and Validity Relationships among Variables An apparent but false