Research Methods in Sociology

This report discusses research methods in sociology, including a table outlining and evaluating different methods, ethical guidelines and citing a sociological study, and factors that affect the choice of research methods. It also includes subject matter related to course codes and college/university. Desklib provides access to solved assignments, essays, and dissertations on this topic.

RESEARCH METHOD IN
SOCIOLOGY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Create a table to outline and evaluate research methods.............................................................1
With reference to ethical guidelines and citing a sociological study, discuss the extent to
which the study is ethical or unethical........................................................................................3
Explain the factors that affect choice of research methods in sociological research and
compare their importance............................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Sociological research refers to a systematic study of people, social phenomena and
institutions using measurement techniques like an interview, focus groups, surveys,
comprehensive analysis of text and ethnography. Research methods can include it's strengths and
weaknesses. It also includes reliability, validity, practical points and ethics. There is also
discussion about the research method which include an interview, questionnaire, official statics,
covert/overt observation. This report also includes the ethical guideline of the sociological study.
There is also discussion about the factor which can affect the choice of research method in
sociological research. It also compares its importance (Singh, 2021).
MAIN BODY
Create a table to outline and evaluate research methods
The method Questionnaire, interview, covert/overt observation and
official statistic
Definition of method Questionnaire: The questionnaire is defined as the
research tool that is feature towards the series of the
questions which is helpful in order to take the response
for the participant who is selected for the study. The
instrument which is used within the research process
are usually include the written method or oral question
which is based on the comparison with the format of
interview (Capraro and Perc, 2018).
Interview: The interview in the qualitative research is
usually focus on the conversation where the questions
are asked to elucidate the information.
Covert/overt: Overt is defined as the group which is
being studies by knowing that they have been
observed. Whereas, the covert group are being studies
without any information to them that they are being
observed under study.
Official statistic: Official statistic are usually
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numerical data set which is produced by official
governmental agencies which is based on the
administrative purpose that include census, crime
figure and many more (Ellemers and et. al., 2019).
An example of study using the method Questionnaire: For example, the participant is simply
selected for research process such as for obesity, then
they ask genuine question that include type, issue,
impact and other which is related with the specific
research issue.
Interview: The person is facing the issue of obesity
then they are taking under process that they can ask
question on the interview format (Pulido and et. al.,
2018.
Covert/overt: In this, the covert participant are does
not know they are being observed for the particular
health issue such as diabetes. They analyse lifestyle
and other activities are analysed without knowing
them that they will examine. Whereas, the overt group
are knowing that they are examine for the chosen
health issue topic for research.
Statistical: The official statistical are usually play vital
role in the collection of data. For example, the research
topic is usually taken under the research process which
is reliable in order to collect the number and other
which is related with chosen topic.
Strengths of each method Questionnaire: Cheap and quick way to gather the
large data. The method is reliable, validated and
follow ethical aspect which contain the autonomy,
respect and many more.
Interview: Creativity, discipline and many more. not
much reliable, less validated and follow ethical
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consideration.
Covert/overt: It provide two group of data. It is
reliable, validated and ethical consideration are usually
follow.
Statistical official: Provide accurate data for the
number of times.
Weakness of each method Questionnaire: Cannot fully capture the emotional
responses or feeling towards the respondent.
Interview: Leaving the project just unfinished.
Covert/overt: It create ethical issue for the number of
people.
Statistical official: Sometime, inaccurate and create
biasness in research (Spyrou, 2018).
With reference to ethical guidelines and citing a sociological study, discuss the extent to which
the study is ethical or unethical
In addition, the ethical guideline and citing towards the sociological study that may provide
the aspect to follow and conduct the research in the appropriate ways. In addition, while
conducting the sociological research, there are wide range of study has been taken which is
ethical and unethical. In addition, the ethical consideration is usually defined as the privacy and
confidentiality, autonomy and respect and many more. Therefore, the study usually focusses on
various aspect that ethical and unethical while conducting the research study within the
sociology. In the various type of sociological research that conducted on the human subject and
other then the consent is require in order to process the reliable information and data. In addition,
the sociologist is usually show to take essential step in order to protect the privacy and
confidentiality of the research method. for instance, when the survey or the questionnaire are
used to within the research process the data are usually collected in order to protect the privacy
or anonymity of the subject. Therefore, it is well defined as the answer are usually connected
with the response who used to provide proper aspect of care. therefore, such rules are usually
applying to the field as well. In this, the sociology is usually related with the field research, the
anonymity that can be maintained busing the fakes named on their observation record. In this, the
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sociologist is usually show their responsibility in order to protect their subject by using the
ethical guideline (Viberg, Hatakka, Bälter and Mavroudi, 2018).
In the context with the research that is based on sociological, the code of ethic or ethical
consideration are usually refer to the formal guidelines from the proper conduction of
sociological research that consist of principle and ethical standards. Whereas, the informed
consent is also taken within the analysis which is properly counted for the ethical or unethical
research process. The informed consent is defined as the phrase or law which help to indicate the
consent of the person who require to meet the certain minimum standard. Therefore, in order to
provide the informed consent where individual is usually taking under the appropriate and
adequate reasoning that show the aspect which is based on the possession of all the relevant fact
which is based on the consent. Whereas, the confidentiality is also an aspect which is followed
within the sociological research which process the ethical behaviour when the anonymity of the
participant is taken rather the participant names and their personal information are breach then it
is against the aspect of ethical principle which is taken under the analysis. Therefore, the proper
strategies have been taken by changing the name and putting fake names help to maintain the
confidentiality of people within the research process (Viberg, Hatakka, Bälter and Mavroudi,
2018).
Explain the factors that affect choice of research methods in sociological research and compare
their importance
Various factors are effective and can affect the research method within sociological research.
These can have high potential that can lead to create high impact on the research outcomes and
play an important role in creating impact over the research outcomes. These are the factors that
have an essential role in providing better information during conducting research that can lead to
creating high impact on the research process and includes impact and influences the research
process and result. These factors may include research methods that are of questionnaires,
interviews, covert/overt observations and official statistics. These factors are important during
the research process which can be effective and allow to get better and more effective results in
dealing with the implementation of the research method effectively. This can also include the
effectiveness of research that are impacted through the factor that play their role during the
collection of information and data which are essential to deal with higher impact on research.
These are important in providing about the process of research and also help in providing a better
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and effective response that includes a higher chance of getting better results. These factors are
the main base that can provide a better response towards the creating result which are associated
with authentic research results (Anshori, 2021).
Various factors can affect the questionnaire within the result. This can also have high impact
on changing the result of data. These factors may include length, question order, terminology,
presentation and others. Here, the length of questionnaires can have a high impact on the
questionnaires. It also creates an impact on getting participants' responses towards the study
which are associated with the research study. Question design also play an important part in the
research method. This is the factor that can lead to creating a positive and negative response
according to their design (Pfeffer and et. al., 2020). Here, short questions can be effective and
can help a large number of participants to respond to questions. Whereas, long questions can
create the situation of ignoring by the participants. Close question structure can enable the
participant to provide affective responses that can allow to improve the research method and help
in better response.
Terminology can also affect the response of the participants. There are some participants
does not appropriately interpret the terminology which can create a negative response towards
providing an answer. Here, appropriate terminology can be in use that can help in better response
from the participant (Abend, 2019).
During the interview, to gather information for the research study, it can include various
issues like factors that can impact on the research study. There are several variables like age,
ethnicity, gender and social classes which is highly associated with response to research study. It
also depends on participants who respond from different age people can have different answer
due to their thinking perspective which play an important role in affecting the research study.
Gender also performs a specific role in affecting the research study through collecting
information by interview.
Here, the interview can use a different method which needs to be careful while asking to the
participant and should be ethical. This can impact on the research study through gathering
appropriate data or information which have an impact for the research study. There are some
factors like ethics practicality and theory which can influence and affect the research and create a
barrier in getting proper information during research methodology. It is essential to use the
ethical method to gather the information sometimes. It is not possible to play an ethical role to
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gather the information which can impact sufficient information. Gathering and impact research
outcome practicality should be performed but due to some circumstances. It can be difficult to
play effectively theory also has a high impact on research methodology where information
should be influenced through using the different theories (Koloskova and et. al., 2020).
Here, participants' responses towards the research question can play important role in
delivering answers through covert observational research. It includes the participation of
individuals who have their consent for research. This can be effective and the chance of
manipulation of respond to work the research study. Whereas, in the overt observational research
participants are unknown from the research design and consent are not delivered by them. But
due to involve in the experiment they provided the correct information without any manipulation.
This can help to provide appropriate information for the research and impact its outcome
(Mohajan, H. K. 2018).
There are some of the factors that can impact the response of official statics. This may
include mismanagement of information. Manipulated information and false response can affect
the collection of information and data due to wrong resources. They are some of the factors
which can highly impact the official statics data which can have the potential to change the
research result. Here, manipulated information can have a high potential to change the overall
response to research result and this can also have risk of a false collection of information that are
not good for the research outcomes. Mismanagement of information can have also an impact on
the official statics in data collection. In this, due to mismanagement of information can lead to an
impact with the overall result of the research outcome (Beugelsdijk and Welzel 2018). Using of
resources can also impact in official statics of research.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that sociological research includes the
systematic study that provides a measurement of technique during the collection of data and
information through a different focus group, interview, survey and comprehensive analysis. This
includes the information about the research method and its strength and weaknesses that may
include reliability, validity, ethics and practical point. It also includes the research method like
interviews, official statistics. There is also discussion about the ethical guideline of sociological
study along with factors that can impact research method in sociological research.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abend, G. 2019. Thick concepts and sociological research. Sociological Theory, 37(3), 209-233.
Anshori, I. 2021. Problem-Based Learning Remodelling Using Islamic Values Integration and
Sociological Research in Madrasas. International Journal of Instruction, 14(2), 421-442.
Beugelsdijk, S., and Welzel, C. 2018. Dimensions and dynamics of national culture:
Synthesizing Hofstede with Inglehart. Journal of cross-cultural psychology, 49(10),
1469-1505.
Capraro, V. and Perc, M., 2018. Grand challenges in social physics: in pursuit of moral
behavior. Frontiers in Physics, 6, p.107.
Cheng, W., Appolloni, A., D'Amato, A., & Zhu, Q. 2018. Green Public Procurement, missing
concepts and future trends–A critical review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 770-
784.
Ellemers, N., Van Der Toorn, J., Paunov, Y. and Van Leeuwen, T., 2019. The psychology of
morality: A review and analysis of empirical studies published from 1940 through
2017. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 23(4), pp.332-366.
Koloskova, Y. I., Parshukov, D. V., and Shaporova, Z. E. 2020. Sociological Studies of the
Krasnoyarsk region rural territories population life quality. In European Proceedings of
Social and Behavioural Sciences EpSBS (pp. 559-566).
Mohajan, H. K. 2018. Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related
subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23-48.
Pfeffer, F. T., Fomby, P., and Insolera, N. 2020. The longitudinal revolution: sociological
research at the 50-year milestone of the panel study of income dynamics. Annual review
of sociology, 46, 83-108.
Pulido, C.M., Redondo-Sama, G., Sordé-Martí, T. and Flecha, R., 2018. Social impact in social
media: A new method to evaluate the social impact of research. PloS one, 13(8),
p.e0203117.
Singh, R. 2021. Role and Challenges of Objectivity in the Sociological Research: An
Overview. ANVESHAK-International Journal of Management, 10(1), 93-103.
Spyrou, S., 2018. Disclosing childhoods. In Disclosing childhoods (pp. 1-14). Palgrave
Macmillan, London.
Viberg, O., Hatakka, M., Bälter, O. and Mavroudi, A., 2018. The current landscape of learning
analytics in higher education. Computers in Human Behavior, 89, pp.98-110.
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