Sociology research methods
quantitative -
convert data to #'s, statistical comparison
qualitative research -
does not work w/ #'s method gets more at meaning
sci. method -
1. provides a general plan for conducting research
2. not fully adhered to in all sci. soc. research
correlation -
shows two variables that change together
(ex: ice cream sales does not affect crime rate, but they can both go up)
causation -
req. that a change in one variable directly produces a change in the other
ex: heavy marijauna use causes poor grades (but we might need an intervening variable)
intervening variable -
ex: depression might explain the relationship b/w marijuana use and grades
correlation and causation -
not equal
spurious correlation -
the appearance of causation (lower grades caused by heavy marijuana use)-
produced by intervening variable (depression)
(depression may influence marijuana use,
and depression may cause lower grades)
ethnography -
naturalistic method studying people in their own environment in order to
understand the meanings they attribute to their activities and soc. world
-(also refers to a written product)
ethnographer-goes into environment and becomes part of it: immersing themselves in the
culture
participant observation -
-(Part of ethnography)
-researcher is both observing and becoming a member in soc. setting
ex: in volunteer organization
access -
negotiating access to a paretic. soc. setting is critical
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