Page 63 - Essencials of Sociology

36 CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Perspective

What is the relationship between theory and How do sociologists gather data?
research? To gather data, sociologists use seven research methods
Theory and research depend on one another. Sociologists use (or research designs): surveys, participant observation,
theory to interpret the data they gather. Theory also gener- case studies, secondary analysis, analysis of documents,
ates questions that need to be answered by research, while experiments, and unobtrusive measures. Pp. 22–30.
research, in turn, helps to generate theory. Theory without
research is not likely to represent real life, while research with- Gender in Sociological Research
out theory is merely a collection of empty facts. P. 20.

Doing Sociological Research 1.8 Explain how gender is significant in sociological research.
How can gender affect research?
1.5 Explain why common sense can’t replace sociological research.
Gender can lead to interviewer bias, with participants
shaping their responses based on the gender of the
Why do we need sociological research when we researcher. Pp. 30–32.
have common sense?
Common sense is unreliable. Research shows that common-
sense ideas are often limited or false. P. 20. Ethics in Sociological Research
What are the eight basic steps in sociological
research? 1.9 Explain why it is vital for sociologists to protect the people
they study; discuss the two cases that are presented.
(1) Selecting a topic, (2) Defining the problem, (3) Review-
ing the literature, (4) Formulating a hypothesis, (5) Choos- How important are ethics in sociological research?
ing a research method, (6) Collecting the data, (7) Analyzing
the results, and (8) Sharing the results. These steps are ex- Ethics are of fundamental concern to sociologists, who are
plained on Pp. 20–22. committed to openness, honesty, truth, and protecting their
subjects from harm. The Brajuha research on restaurant
workers and the Humphreys research on “tearooms” illus-
A Research Model trate ethical issues of concern to sociologists. Pp. 32–34.

Know the 8 steps of the research model.
Trends Shaping the Future of
1.6
What are the eight basic steps of sociological Sociology
research?
(1) Selecting a topic, (2) Defining the problem, (3) Reviewing Explain how research versus reform and globalization are
1.10
the literature, (4) Formulating a hypothesis, (5) Choosing a likely to influence sociology.
research method, (6) Collecting the data, (7) Analyzing the
results, and (8) Sharing the results. These steps are explained What trends are likely to have an impact on
in detail on pages 20–22. sociology?
Sociology has gone through three phases: In the first, the em-
Research Methods (Design) phasis was on reforming society; in the second, the focus was
on basic sociology; the third, today’s phase, with its applied
sociology and public sociology, is taking us closer to our roots
Know the main elements of the 7 research methods: surveys,
of applying sociology to social change. Today’s globalization is
1.7
participant observation, case studies, secondary analysis, analysis
likely to broaden sociological horizons, refocusing research and
of documents, experiments, and unobtrusive measures.
theory away from its concentration on U.S. society. P. 34.

Thinking Critically about Chapter 1
1. Do you think that sociologists should try to reform soci- 4. What are the differences between good and bad socio-
ety or just study it to gain knowledge? logical research? How can biases be avoided?
2. Of the three theoretical perspectives, which one would 5. What ethics govern sociological research?
you prefer to use if you were a sociologist? Why? 6. Do you think it is okay for sociologists to not identity
3. Considering the macro- and micro-level approaches in sociol- themselves when they do research? To misrepresent
ogy, which one do you think better explains social life? Why? themselves?