2. Sociological Research Methods
1. Debunking the unmasking of fallacies (false or mistaken ideas or opinions) in the
everyday and oflcial interpretations of society
2. Normative uses religion, customs, habits, traditions, and law to answer important
Ap- proach questions. It is based on strong beliefs about what is right and wrong
and what "ought to be" in society. Issues such as assisted suicide are
often answered by the normative approach.
3. Empirical attempts to answer questions through systematic collection and
Ap- proach analysis of data. This approach is referred to as the conventional model,
or the "scientific method," and is based on the assumption that
knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation.
4. Theory is a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe,
explain, and (occasionally) predict social events. A theory attempts to
explain why something is the way it is.
5. Research is the process of systematically collecting information for the purpose of
testing an existing theory or generating a new one.
6. Deductive the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the
Ap- proach theory. This approach proceeds as follows: (1) theories generate
hypotheses, (2) hypotheses lead to observations (data gathering), (3)
observations lead to the formation of generalizations, and (4)
generalizations are used to support the theory, to suggest
modifications to it, or to refute it.
7. Inductive
Ap- proach the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence) and
then gen- erates theories from the analysis of that data. Under the
inductive approach, we would proceed as follows: (1) specific
observations suggest generalizations,
(2) generalizations produce a tentative theory, (3) the theory is tested
through the formation of hypotheses, and (4) hypotheses may
provide suggestions for additional observations.
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, 2. Sociological Research Methods
8. Quantitative he goal is scientific objectivity, and the focus is on data that can be
Re- search measured numerically. Quantitative research typically emphasizes
complex statistical tech- niques.
9. Qualitative interpretive description (words) rather than statistics (numbers) is used
Re- search to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships.
10. Hypothesis in research studies, a tentative statement of the relationship between
two or more concepts.
11. Variable is any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can
change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another.
Variables are the observable and/or measurable counterparts of
concepts.
12. Independe a variable that is presumed to cause or determine a dependent
nt Variable variable.
13. Dependent
Vari- able a variable that is assumed to depend on or be caused by the
independent variable(s).
14. Operational
Defi- nition is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features
that are specific enough to measure the variable. For example, suppose
that your goal is to earn an A in this course. Your professor may have
created an operational definition by defining an A as earning an exam
average of 90 percent or above (Babbie, 2013).
15. Multiple
Causa- tion that is, an event occurs as a result of many factors operating in
combination.
16. Unit of Analysis is what or whom is being studied. In social science research,
individuals are the most typical unit of analysis. Social groups (such as
families, cities, or geographic regions), organizations (such as clubs,
labor unions, or political parties), and social artifacts (such as books,
2/
16
, 2. Sociological Research Methods
paintings, or weddings) may also be units of analysis.
3/
16
1. Debunking the unmasking of fallacies (false or mistaken ideas or opinions) in the
everyday and oflcial interpretations of society
2. Normative uses religion, customs, habits, traditions, and law to answer important
Ap- proach questions. It is based on strong beliefs about what is right and wrong
and what "ought to be" in society. Issues such as assisted suicide are
often answered by the normative approach.
3. Empirical attempts to answer questions through systematic collection and
Ap- proach analysis of data. This approach is referred to as the conventional model,
or the "scientific method," and is based on the assumption that
knowledge is best gained by direct, systematic observation.
4. Theory is a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe,
explain, and (occasionally) predict social events. A theory attempts to
explain why something is the way it is.
5. Research is the process of systematically collecting information for the purpose of
testing an existing theory or generating a new one.
6. Deductive the researcher begins with a theory and uses research to test the
Ap- proach theory. This approach proceeds as follows: (1) theories generate
hypotheses, (2) hypotheses lead to observations (data gathering), (3)
observations lead to the formation of generalizations, and (4)
generalizations are used to support the theory, to suggest
modifications to it, or to refute it.
7. Inductive
Ap- proach the researcher collects information or data (facts or evidence) and
then gen- erates theories from the analysis of that data. Under the
inductive approach, we would proceed as follows: (1) specific
observations suggest generalizations,
(2) generalizations produce a tentative theory, (3) the theory is tested
through the formation of hypotheses, and (4) hypotheses may
provide suggestions for additional observations.
1/
16
, 2. Sociological Research Methods
8. Quantitative he goal is scientific objectivity, and the focus is on data that can be
Re- search measured numerically. Quantitative research typically emphasizes
complex statistical tech- niques.
9. Qualitative interpretive description (words) rather than statistics (numbers) is used
Re- search to analyze underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships.
10. Hypothesis in research studies, a tentative statement of the relationship between
two or more concepts.
11. Variable is any concept with measurable traits or characteristics that can
change or vary from one person, time, situation, or society to another.
Variables are the observable and/or measurable counterparts of
concepts.
12. Independe a variable that is presumed to cause or determine a dependent
nt Variable variable.
13. Dependent
Vari- able a variable that is assumed to depend on or be caused by the
independent variable(s).
14. Operational
Defi- nition is an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features
that are specific enough to measure the variable. For example, suppose
that your goal is to earn an A in this course. Your professor may have
created an operational definition by defining an A as earning an exam
average of 90 percent or above (Babbie, 2013).
15. Multiple
Causa- tion that is, an event occurs as a result of many factors operating in
combination.
16. Unit of Analysis is what or whom is being studied. In social science research,
individuals are the most typical unit of analysis. Social groups (such as
families, cities, or geographic regions), organizations (such as clubs,
labor unions, or political parties), and social artifacts (such as books,
2/
16
, 2. Sociological Research Methods
paintings, or weddings) may also be units of analysis.
3/
16
