Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

Surveys: A survey is a systematic and standardized means of collecting data. Surveys are utilized because of their efficiency in collecting facts and the relationship between certain facts. Because of time and financial constraint, a sample (usually random) of the population, not the entire population, is asked to respond. In order to conduct a survey, a questionnaire or an interview must be developed, or a combination of the two forms. The questionnaire technique is based on a standard form that respondents fill out and return. The interview technique is used when a researcher asks the respondents questions. The interview can be either: • Structured: Inflexible; each subject asked the exact same questions in the exactsame order and he or she chooses the best of the predetermined possible answers. • Unstructured: Subjects are asked open-ended questions. The following table covers some of the advantages and disadvantages of using surveys for sociological research. Advantages Disadvantages Efficient way to gather information Only usable in certain situations with certain topics Unstructured: Allows for greater insight Unstructured: Responses are harder to analyze Researcher has to be extra careful in word choice and facial expression Table 5: Advantages and Disadvant ges of Surveys describing real-time observations of naturally-occurring events, are commonly used in sociological research. When performing this type of research, it is of the utmost importance to strictly record observations, not interpretations of those observations. When a researcher stays out of the action, he or she is conducting nonparticipant observations . If the researcher becomes personally involved in what is happening, he or she is involved with a participant observation. The table below contrasts the advantages and disadvantages of observational studies. Advantages Disadvantages Natural environment is conducive to natural actions and reactions Only usable in certain situations with certain topics Can observe common behaviors within a small group Cannot determine causal relationships Table 6: Advantages and Disadvantages of Observational Studies Observational Studies: Observational studies,

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