MAKING SOCIOLOGY A SCIENCE: SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH … · social and community programs/projects ... SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 1. Sociology is a science. Therefore, it is in the business
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Using Scientific Research in investigating the social world
helps sociology to draw conclusions that show
CAUSALITY and distinguish them from conclusions (as
found in the previous slide) that show CORRELATION but
not CAUSALITY:
– E.G. Visible phenomena such as depression and suicide may have
some correlation (association or relationship), but this does not
mean that depression causes suicide.
• There are so many people who are depressed but don’t commit suicide; there
are many people who commit suicide although they’re not depressed.
• CAUSALITY & CORRELATION: The sociological reasoning is that
INVISIBLE social phenomena cause VISIBLE social phenomena.
Visible social phenomena does not cause visible social phenomena.
Visible social phenomena may only CORRELATE (relate or associate).
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Introduction: Sociological Conclusions
x
Y
X relates/associates with Y = Correlation
X causes/explains/predicts Y = Causality
Introduction: Sociological Conclusions
Solutions to social problems and designing
programs to effectively improve lives are
derived from accurate DATA or factual
information (empirical evidence) based on
the sociological research’s discovery of
CAUSALITY not mere CORRELATION.
• Discovery of CAUSALITY is the foundation of
Applied Sociology (sociological work that
focuses on creating intervention
programs/projects to solve social problems).
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Introduction: Main Theme
Data/factfulness Matter
10/09/2019 10
Introduction: Central Question and
Main Thesis of Lecture 2
CENTRAL QUESTION:
– Why do sociologists do research and why do they use the strategies/processes they use?
MAIN THESIS (Proposed Answer):
– Ultimately, sociologists do research to produce DATA (accurate factual information or empirical evidence) that may help identify patterns/social regularity, inclusing causality [not mere correlation]. In order to achieve this goal sociologists use credible and ethical methodologies, including the Scientific Method, that minimize bias and overcome unscientific thinking.
?
=
Introduction: Main Argument
(Amplified Thesis)
MAIN ARGUMENT:Sociologists use credible and ethical quantitative (positivistic) and/or qualitative (interpretive) research methodologies, processes, methods/designs and techniques to systematically collect, analyze, display, and interpret DATA to show empirical evidence about social regularity or patterns, including causality [not mere correlation] for the following three purposes:
a) to test theories and construct theories
b) to make visible the unseen social forces that shape human behavior, the human condition, and human destiny
c) to help create social policies and community programs/projects that provide solutions to social problems and improve the human condition and change lives.
Introduction: Main Argument
Illustrated Since it was first founded, many people interested in
sociology have been driven by the scholarly desire to
contribute knowledge to this field [including research that
discovers social regularity/patterns including causality],
while others have seen it as way not only to study/research
society, but also to improve [transform] it. Besides the
creation of public health care in Canada, sociology has
played a crucial role in many important social reforms such
as equal opportunity for women in the workplace, improved
treatment for individuals with mental and learning
disabilities, increased recognition and accommodation for
people from different ethnic backgrounds, the creation of
hate crime legislation, the right of aboriginal populations to
preserve their land and culture, and prison system reforms
1. Sociology is a science. Therefore, it is in the business of using the Scientific Research Processes to produce empirical evidence about causation a) to make unseen social forces visible, b) to test and/or construct theories to explain and predict and/or c) to formulate policies and strategies to change/improve human behavior and condition.
2. In order to produce empirical evidence, there is the need for reliable and valid ways of collecting, analyzing and interpreting information or data.
3. To ensure reliability and validity in the production of empirical evidence, there are certain processes/procedures and research decisions/choices that have to be made.
RESEARCH PROCESSES
Source: Del Balso and Lewis (2008, p. 15)
Design researchGather data Analyze data
THEORY
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RESEARCH STEPS:
a) The Positivistic Framework: Scientific Method
THEORY
(1)
Begin with a Theory,
Deduce Research
problem and questions
focusing on
a gap in existing
knowledge
Review
literature to show that
the proposed
gap in knowledge is
theoretically logical
(2)
(3)Deduce
Hypothesis from Theory/Literature.
(4)Select Quantitative Methods
and instruments to collect
data
(5)Analyze data
statistically for a
Pattern, display pattern
and interpret it to
confirm or reject
hypothesis in relation
to theory
(6)
Share results in a report;
Show new problem that
emerges from the
research
RESEARCH STEPS:
b) The Interpretive Framework
THEORY
Begin with a
particular
Research problem or
question focusing on
goals of researcher or
the researched
Review literature to
show that the pattern
is true/valid
Analyze data
for pattern & display
pattern
Share results in a report;
Show new research issues
that emerge from this
research
Select
Qualitative
Methods and
instruments to
collect data
Interpret the
pattern, formulate thesis
and show how it connects
with existing knowledge.
Suggest theory
1
2
3
4
5
6
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Research Frameworks :–RESEARCH PROCESSES GUIDES:
• 1) Positivistic or Quantitative– Sociological Imagination supports this framework
• 2) Interpretive or Qualitative– Social construction of reality supports this framework
• 3) Fusion or Triangulation– Both Sociological Imagination and Social Construction
of Reality support this framework
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Research Processes Guides:
–a) Positivistic Framework: The Scientific
Method: (See pp. 8 and 26 of Textbook)
• The world is a single reality that can be known by independent,
neutral and objective scientists using the scientific method (Van de
Sande & Schwartz 2011, p. 70). It focuses on the production of
“positive” or certain knowledge based on “sensory experiences”
subjected to logical reasoning; knowledge that is generalizable.
–b) Interpretive Framework: The
Alternative Method: (See p. 9 of Textbook)
• Values of the researcher cannot be separated from the research—
objectivity is not possible, nor is it desirable because there are
multiple realities based on subjective interpretations people assign to
their worlds (van de Sande & Schwartz 2011, p. 14)
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Research Processes Guides:
C) Fusion Framework: Mixed
Methods (See pp. 27 and 28 of Textbook)
– Using mixed methods (both positivist and
interpretist frameworks) to research the same
phenomenon to achieve high validity and
reliability. Feminist Research Methods fall into the
RESEARCHER Researcher uses inanimate instruments Researcher is the main instrument
INSTRUMENTS or
TECHNIQUES
Questionnaires and tests, Statistical
software, Content Analysis (pp. 101-105,
Ibid.)
Participant Observation, interviews,
Focus Group, Content Analysis (pp.
103-105, ibid.).
ETHICS Do No Harm: Milgram’s Obedience
Study, Stanford Prison Experiment (pp.
110-112 ibid.), Tuskegee Syphilis
Experiment
Do No Harm: Humphery’s Tearoom
Trade (p. 112, ibid)
THEORY Functionalism, Social Conflict,
Feminism (pp. 94 & 108, ibid.)
Interactionism, Feminism (pp. 94 &
108, Ibid.), postmodernism
QUIZ #5
Canada’s Attorney General has awarded you a major funding to research into the causes of and solutions to marijuana grow-ops in British Columbia. You have decided to adopt the qualitative research approach. What would be your role as a researcher?
A) A research instrument
B) A research instrument user
C) Experimenter
D) Surveyor
QUIZ #6
Jasmica believes that the social world is a stable, macro social structure and culture that have objective existence ruled by deductive logic. She has decided to research into the drug trade from this perspective. What would be the, methodological approach, method, and the main instrument she would adopt?
A) Qualitative, field research and content analysis
B) Qualitative, participatory action research, and focus group
C) Quantitative, survey, and questionnaire
D) Qualitative, experiment, and intensive interviews
KEY ISSUES OF RESEAECH
Regardless of which of the three
major research frameworks you
choose, there are three critical
issues that must be addressed:
– 1. Sampling (See pp. 46-48 of Textbook)
– 2. Validity & Reliability (See last para of p.36 of Textbook)
Using mixed methods to research the same phenomenon to
achieve high validity and reliability
EXPERIMENT
Quantitative
SURVEY:
Quantitative
Participatory
Action Research
Qualitative
FIELD
RESEARCH:
Qualitative
09/09/2019 54
Challenges of Research
09/09/2019 55
CHALLENGES OF SOCIOLOGICAL
RESEARCH
1. Time and Money
2. Sensitive and/or dangerous topics: sexuality, crime, conflicts, etc.
3. Ethics: a) Do no harm (Milgram’s Obedience Study); b) Safety of research subjects (Stanford Prison Experiment); c) Informed consent (Humphreys’ Tearoom Trade; the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment); d) Privacy—anonymity & confidentiality—(Humphreys’ Tearoom Trade) See Ravelli 2013 pp. 110-112 and p. 54 para 2 of Textbook)
1. What is your research topic?: Social Media Technology
2. What theory applies?: The use pattern of social media technology is generation-specific
3. What is already known about Social Media technology?—The usage pattern of Myspace, Twitter and Wiki among the various generations living Victoria.
4. What is missing from this knowledge? The pattern of generational gap in the use Facebook Networking Program in the city of Victoria.
5. What exactly are your research questions? What is the difference in the Facebook use pattern between teenagers and older adults living in Victoria?
6. What is your hypothesis or Thesis? Teenagers use Facebook to communicate more than older adults in Victoria.
7. What research framework informed your research? Positivism /Quantitative
8.What methods and instruments/techniques did you use to gather needed information? Survey and Observation: Questionnaire and online monitoring.
0. How did you record and analyze the information? Electronic; Statistics Software
10. What did the data tell you and what is your interpretation of this? There is no difference in the pattern of Facebook usage among teenagers and older adults in Victoria: Interpretation: This is because of similarity in access to social media technology. The hypothesis is refuted
11. What is your conclusion?: There is no generation gap in Facebook usage pattern in Victoria. The gap is in accessibility to the technology
12. What can you change with the conclusion?: Advocate for equal access to technology
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SCIENTIFIC METHOD: Use the answers to the
Guiding Questions in the previous slide as a guide to
answer the following questions based on your own
chosen research topic:
1. What is your research topic?:
2. What theory applies?:
3. What is already known about Social Media technology?
4. What is missing from this knowledge?
5. What exactly are your research questions?
6. What is your hypothesis or Thesis?
7. What research framework informed your research?
8.What methods and instruments/techniques did you use to gather needed information?
9. How did you record and analyze the information?
10. What did the data tell you and what is your interpretation of this?
11. What is your conclusion?
12. What can you change with the conclusion?:
09/09/2019 62
APPLY
•See the multiple choice
questions in the EXPLORE
section.
09/09/2019 63
Summary and Conclusion
09/09/2019 64
DNA is not Destiny; The
SOCIAL is Destiny SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, using the SCIENTIFIC METHOD and
LOGICAL REASONING, has produced enough EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE and THEORIES to substantiate the PARADIGM that the SOCIAL is destiny, not DNA or the BRAIN.
In effect, things do not happen in the world and to people because PHYSICAL and EMOTIONAL forces cause them (Robert J. Brym 2004: 3-4: New Society: Sociology for the 21st Century. Fourth Edition). Examples of correlation but
not causality:– Famine is not caused by drought
– War is not caused by territorial greed
– Economic success is not caused by hard work
– Marriage is not caused by love
– Suicide is not caused by depression
– Rape is not caused by depraved lust
– Child abuse is not caused by mentally sick people