Explain why sociological research is necessary and how it challenges our commonsense beliefs about
pressing social issues such as suicide. - Answers -Social research is a key part of sociology.
-Social research moves beyond common sense.
-Sociology involves debunking - the unmasking of fallacies in the everyday and official interpretations
of society.
-Because much of sociology deals with everyday life, we might think that common sense, our own
personal experiences, and the media are the best sources of information. However, our personal
experiences are subjective, and much of the information provided by the media comes from sources
seeking support for a particular point of view.
Compare deductive and inductive approaches in the theory and research cycle. - Answers -In the
deductive approach the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the theory.
-In the inductive approach the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence) and then
generates theories from the analysis of that data.
Distinguish between quantitative research and qualitative research. - Answers -With quantitative
research, the goal is scientific objectivity, and the focus is on data that can be measured numerically.
Quantitative research typically emphasizes complex statistical techniques.
-With qualitative research, interpretive description (words) rather than statistics (numbers) is used to
analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships. An example of qualitative research
is a study in which the researcher systematically analyzed the contents of the notes of suicide victims
to determine recurring themes, such as a feeling of despair or failure.
List and briefly describe the steps in the quantitative research model. - Answers 1) Select and define
the research problem
2) Review previous research
3) Formulate the hypothesis - a tentative statement of the relationship between two or more
concepts
4) Develop the research design
5) Collect and analyze the data
List and briefly describe the steps in a qualitative research model. - Answers 1) The researcher begins
with a general approach rather than a highly detailed plan.
2) The researcher has to decide when the literature review and theory application should take place.
3) The study presents a detailed view of the topic.
4) Access to people or other resources that can provide the necessary data is crucial.
5) Appropriate research method(s) are important for acquiring useful qualitative data.
Explain what is meant by survey research and briefly discuss three types of surveys. - Answers -A
survey is a poll in which the researcher gathers facts or attempts to determine the relationships
among facts.
-Respondents are persons who provide data for analysis.
-Questionnaires are printed research instruments containing a series of items to which subjects
respond.
-Interviews are a forma of data collection in which an interviewer asks the respondents questions and
records the answers.
Compare research methods used in secondary analysis of existing data, field research, experiments,
and triangulation. - Answers -Field research is the study of social life in its natural setting: observing
and interviewing people where they live, work, and play.
-An experiment is a carefully designed situation in which the researcher studies the impact of certain
variables on subjects' attitudes or behavior.