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U1.2 Research Methodologies​

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SSSocFR2:

a. Identify the major research methods used in sociology.

b. Explain how various methods are used to conduct research in sociology.

c. Evaluate the strengths and weakness of the methods of sociology research.

d. Explain the importance and influence of ethics in guiding research and data collection in sociology.

Quantitative vs. Qualitative

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

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 Quantitative data collection usually involves numbers, graphs and charts, whereas, qualitative data collection methods deals with feelings and other non-quantifiable elements. 

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

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​​The most popular qualitative methods of data collection and analysis  are interviews, focus groups, observation, case studies, games and role playing etc.

Popular quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, on the other hand, include correlation analysis, regression analysis, mean, mode and median and others.

There are two categories of research methods: quantitative and qualitative.

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 Questionnaires can be used as qualitative, as well as, quantitative method. Specifically, if open-ended questions are used qualitative methods will be used for data analysis. Alternatively, if questionnaire consists of closed-ended questions, then quantitative approach is adopted for data analysis. 

Standard Deviants School Sociology Video

MODULE 3: RESEARCH AND SOCIETIES

 It's full steam ahead into the sociology research process. Let's say you have a theory about how the world works. Now what? Time to do a little research. You'll find out how sociologists create a hypothesis, search for literature and observe their subjects. Then we'll travel back in time as we cover the different types of societies that have existed throughout history, like hunter/gatherer societies. 

 

  • Program 3 Research & Societies Quik​Notes​
  • Program 3 Research & Societies QuikQuiz

Designing a Semi-Structured Interview

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A semi-structured interview (also known as a standardized interview or a researcher-administered survey) is a qualitative research method commonly employed in sociological research. The aim of this approach is to ensure that each interview is presented with exactly the same questions in the same order. This ensures that answers can be reliably aggregated and that comparisons can be made with confidence between sample sub groups or between different survey periods. 


Select your Sociological research topic: CLICK HERE

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PART 1:  Designing a semi-structured interview 

  1. Research your topic
  2. Watch "6 tips for designing a semi-structured interview" 
  3. Create in-depth questions to have answered on your topic You should have at least 6 in-depth questions.
  4. Use the template (below) to create the questionnaire.
  5. Make sure the questionnaire is spelling, grammar and error free.
  6. Submit a copy of your completed template (or interview guide) to the Submit Assignments link.


PART 2:  Conducting a semi-structured interview  

  1. Watch "6 Tips for conducting semi-structured interviews"
  2. Arrange at-least 6 interviews ahead of time.
  3. Collect data in-person, via Zoom or over the phone. YOU must enter the data onto your template, not the interviewee - that would be a survey.
  4. Scan your completed interviews (or interview guides). This will include all of your questions and answers. You can scan them in the library.
  5. Submit a copy of your completed interviews to the Submit Assignments link.


PART 3:  Analyzing data from a semi-structured interview  

  1. Watch "6 Tips for analyzing data from a semi-structured interview"
  2. Analyze your Data. 
  3. Review the information you have gathered. What have you learned about your topic?
  4. Complete a written analysis of your data 250-word minimum (typed).

Semi-structured Interview Tips

6 tips for designing a semi-structured interview

So, you want to design a guide (or protocol) for your semi-structured interview, as part of your qualitative research project?  This video shows you how to develop the right questions and ask them in right order, so you can get the information you need every time! 

6 Tips for conducting semi-structured interviews

A good interview should feel like a good conversation; a respectful exchange between interested parties.


  1. Ensure you have good background knowledge of the topic. It’s kinda hard to have a conversation about something you know nothing about. 
  2. Choose the right respondent. Or they won’t be able to tell you what you need to know!
  3. Do a good introduction of yourself, your organization and the study. This helps build trust with the respondent.
  4. Make sure your get informed consent, stress confidentiality and the respondent’s right to stop the interview.
  5. Minimize disruptions. Make sure you are in a quiet place! 
  6. Be familiar with your research guide; this will free you from worrying about the next question and give you the chance to listen and probe effectively.

6 Tips for analyzing data from a semi-structured interview

So, you want to have completed your semi-structured interview – well done you! Not sure of the best way to go now? 


This video will show you how analyze your data so you can produce meaningful answers to your research question.  

Template for developing Semi-structured interview

Template for developing semi structured interview guide (docx)

Download

Template for developing semi structured interview guide (pdf)

Download
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ASA CODE OF ETHICS

Ethical considerations are of particular importance to sociologists because of the subject of investigation - people. Because ethical considerations are of so much importance, sociologists adhere to a rigorous set of ethical guidelines. The most important ethical consideration of sociological research is that participants in sociological investigation are not harmed. While exactly what this entails can vary from study to study, there are several universally recognized considerations. For instance, research on children and youth always requires parental consent. Research on adults also requires informed consent and participants are never forced to participate. Confidentiality and anonymity are two additional practices that ensure the safety of participants when sensitive information is provided (e.g., sexuality, income, etc.). To ensure the safety of participants, most universities maintain an institutional review board (IRB) that reviews studies that include human participants and ensures ethical rigor.


It has not always been the case that scientists interested in studying humans have followed ethical principles in their research. Several studies that, when brought to light, led to the introduction of ethical principles guiding human subjects research and Institutional Review Boards to ensure compliance with those principles, are worth noting, including the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, in which 399 impoverished black men with syphilis were left untreated to track the progress of the disease and Nazi experimentation on humans. A recent paper by Susan M. Reverby found that such unethical experiments were more widespread than just the widely known Tuskegee study and that the US Government funded a study in which thousands of Guatemalan prisoners were infected with syphilis to determine whether they could be cured with penicillin. Ethical oversight in science is designed to prevent such egregious violations of human rights today.


Sociologists also have professional ethical principles they follow. Obviously honesty in research, analysis, and publication is important. Sociologists who manipulate their data are ostracized and can have their memberships in professional organizations revoked. Conflicts of interest are also frowned upon. A conflict of interest can occur when a sociologist is given funding to conduct research on an issue that relates to the source of the funds. For example, if Microsoft were to fund a sociologist to investigate whether users of Microsoft's product users are happier than users of open source software (e.g., Linux, LibreOffice), the sociologist would need to disclose the source of the funding as it presents a significant conflict of interest. Unfortunately, this does not always happen, as several high profile cases illustrate (e.g., the Regnerus Affair). But the disclosure of conflicts of interest is recommended by most professional organizations and many academic journals. A comprehensive explanation of sociological guidelines is provided on the website of the  American Sociological Association. 

Learn More

 The American Sociological Association's (ASA's) Code of Ethics sets forth the principles and ethical standards that underlie sociologists' professional responsibilities and conduct. 


These principles and standards should be used as guidelines when examining everyday professional activities. They constitute normative statements for sociologists and provide guidance on issues that sociologists may encounter in their professional work.


Using the ASA Code of Ethics link; Go to the American Sociological Association website

  1. Find the ASA Code of Ethics
  2. Review the Code of Ethics and; 
  3. Complete the worksheet

ASA CODE OF ETHICS
Download PDF

Unethical Sociological Research

TUSKEGEE STD

US government experiments illegally on black men with syphilis for 40 years. ​

CREATIVE EVIL - The Stanford Prison Experiment

One of the most notorious in the history of science. ​


Other Unethical Experiments:

  • Nazi Medical Experiments
  • Tearoom Sex Study
  • Willowbrook State School Hepatitis Experiments

Key Ethical Considerations Before Conducting Research

What to Know:

Potential ethical issues in sociological research are normally not as serious as those in medical research, but sociologists must still take care to proceed in an ethical manner in their research.


The guideline that informed consent must be obtained from potential research subjects is a special issue for vulnerable populations such as prisoners.


  1. At the micro level, researchers should consider their own conduct and the rights of individual research participants.
  2. At the meso level, researchers should consider the expectations of their profession and of any organizations that may have funded their research.
  3. At the macro level, researchers should consider their duty to and the expectations of society with respect to social scientific research.

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