Introduction to Sociology - Assignment 1: Reviewing Research

This assignment, completed for an Introduction to Sociology course, analyzes a Pew Research Center article on public perceptions of government monitoring of phone calls and emails. The student addresses questions related to the research topic, the demographics studied, and the research question. The assignment details the research methods used, including surveys, and summarizes the data collection process. Key findings, such as the disapproval of government monitoring by many Americans, are presented along with the conclusions drawn from the research. The student also proposes two follow-up questions regarding the implications and economic impact of government surveillance, demonstrating critical thinking and further exploration of the topic.

0Reviewing Research and Making Connections
Assignment 1: Reviewing Research and Making Connections
(Student name)
Dr. Goldstein
Introduction to Sociology
(Date)

1Reviewing Research and Making Connections
Ask (Write a paragraph of at least 5 7 sentences answering the following questions in your own
words.)
 What was the topic of the research?
 Who was studied in the research?
 What was the research question that was answered by the information in the article?
Research (Write a paragraph of at least 5-7 sentences answering the following questions in
your own words.)
 What research methods were used?
 Summarize the process researchers used to collect data.
The topic of the research is to looks at the factors why most of the American citizens have
the concept that the government monitors their information when they are surfing the
internet. This topic of discussion has been raised many times in the past as well.
To conduct the research, the study was conducted across number of various demographic
groups that ranged from age group of 18 to 65+ that involved both men and women. The
findings also state that almost 8 out of 10 citizens of United States who are below the age of
50 thinks that government is indeed involved with tracking information.
The research question that was answered involved in the article shows that unlike citizens
of other countries, American do not accept that it is right for the government to monitor the
people.
The research method that was used involved a proper conduction of feedback from different
age groups and asking them why they suspect that the government tries to access their
information while they are on the internet or on a phone call.
The Pew Research Center Survey made the research in the year of 2015 that involved the
ratio of the American citizens who believe that is acceptable for the government to monitor
their information. The research process further went through different factors such as email,
search engines, cell phone, social media, and applications and asked the participants their
concerns their data being accessed. The survey showed that most people are concerned with
the medium of email and search engines and least concerned with mobile applications and
social media. Most of their statements were that citizens should have the right to their own
privacy and the government getting all the information is not ethically correct. This gives
the government too much control over the people.

2Reviewing Research and Making Connections
Learn (Write a paragraph of at least 5-7 sentences answering the following questions in your
own words.)
 What were the key findings of the research?
 What conclusion was drawn from the research?
Do (Write a paragraph of at least 5-7 sentences answering the following questions in your own
words.)
 What are two additional follow-up questions that you have based on this research?
 Why did you choose these follow up questions?
The key findings of the research indicate that most of the American citizens are not
acceptable of the fact that Government gets to monitor their information. It is also said that
the disapproved collection of conversation and data of citizens is actually a measure to keep
terrorism under check.
Various government surveillance programs have become skeptical day by day due the
awareness of the U.S. surveillance system. Most of the respondents from the research said
that majority of them were less confident with the information. The ones who were less
confident with the whole concerns related to the surveillance programs are the ones who say
these things. The ones who say that they agree the courts are striking appropriate balance
are the ones who have got the least of the surveillance programs.
Two additional questions that can be used to follow up this research includes.
1) If the monitoring is indeed done by the government, is that doing any favor?
The monitoring system is helpful as it helps in tracking terrorist activities. There is also
the factor of tapping in information that is done though phone call. This could be related
to suicide or violence.
2) Does it affect the economy as well?
Most business has strategies that in not carried outside. However when the government
gets these information as well, then there are plans and marketing strategies that get
overheard as well. If the data gets leaked somehow, then it would most the company
millions of dollars.