Sociological Investigation

Module 2

Requirements
Flowchart : Through this chart the
steps in sociological inquiry will be
discussed
Research : topic should be related
to issues involving the youth

What is the scientific

method
Is a systematic, organized series of
steps that ensures maximum
objectivity and consistency in
researching a problem

 South Park absurdist humor or reflection of American

culture?
One historical event that has influenced your life?
Socialization and assimilation when a person starts college.
One visit to a supermarket: The effects of consumer culture
on your choices.
Gender stereotypes in a relationship: Is it ok for a boy to cry?
Abortion: A heartless murder or a method of birth control?
Who is to blame for todays insane beauty standards?
Top 3 misconceptions kids get from TV ads.
The pros and cons of mainstream schools.
Virtual reality: Escapism has never been easier.
Affirmative action: More positive or negative effects?

Hot topics in sociology

Are women less privileged in todays society than men?

Can it be ever acceptable for a man to hit a woman?
Are working women better mothers?
Does wealth always make people less ethical?
Are only men to blame for the objectification of womens
bodies?
Does the TV show 16 and pregnant promote teen
pregnancy?
Should people wait till the age of 21 to get married?
Did feminism contribute to the moral destruction of America?
Should kids be able to change their names if they want to?
Are brains more important than beauty for success in todays
society?
Imagine your kid/brother/friend turned out to be gay/lesbian.
Would you fight for his/her rights?

Theory

1. Theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are

related.
2. It postulates an ordered relationship between natural
phenomena.
3. It is a working model of the world or some part of it.
4. It serves as a framework for research.
5. It prompts researchers to ask certain kinds of questions
and formulate specific hypothesis.
6. Theories survive as long as they continue to suggest
useful approaches to the phenomena that scientists are
trying to explain.
7. A theory may be a product of a diligent research, or be
a sudden breakthrough

Two issues sociologists face

1. What issues should we study?
2. How should we connect the facts to
form theories about society?

Different Ways of Perception

1. Some sociologists focus on how
societies
stay the same.
2. Some focus on patterns of
change.
3. Some look to what joins people
together.
4. Others investigate on how
society divides
people according to gender,

Sociological Inquiry
the systemic analysis of the motivations and
behavior of individuals within groups

Social Action
prime concern of sociological inquiry

Theoretical Paradigm
A theoretical paradigm provides a basic image
of society that guides thinking and research.

Basic Goals of Sociological

Inquiry

1. Obtain an understanding of
the
observable
world
2. Observe phenomena and how
it is
connected to other
phenomena
3. Accumulation of scientific

Fundamental Procedures in
Sociological Inquiry
1. Defines the Problem. Researcher should delimit
the scope and breadth of the problem and to define
the phenomenon to focus on.
2. Gathering of Data. The researcher chooses the
techniques to identify and record the data to be
studied.
3. Analysis of Data. This involves the testing of
the hypothesis or answering questions/assumptions
with facts that have been gathered.
4. Verification. Further checking and verification
of findings are necessary.

Character of research
questions:
1. How will the exploration of the topic
contribute to my discipline?
2. How might its outcome fill the gaps in
knowledge?
3. Could the answer to this question help clarify
puzzling issues,
lead to conceptualizations, or suggest new
practical
applications?
4. Might it help to illuminate an area in which
there are theoretical
controversies?
5. How might the conduct of the research
benefit me as researcher?
6. Is the question enough to me to maintain my
interest and
enthusiasm from the period required for its

Selecting the topic

1. Manageable.
2. Clear.
3. Simple and Focused.
4. Concrete
5. Researchable
6. Active..
7. Essential.

Scientific Method
Systematic, organized series of steps
that ensure maximum objectivity and
consistency in researching a problem

Steps
1.Defining the problem
2.Review of literature
3.Formulating the hypothesis
4.Selecting the research design
5.Collecting and analyzing data
6.Developing the conclusion
7.Forwarding recommendations

Research Designs
A Survey to Check
News Accuracy

An Experiment of Communicator
CredibilityA classic experiment in
communication research,
conducted by Hovland and Weiss
(1951)

 The Life of child laborers in

slaughter houses
. Iwitness:
Hamon sa Caramoan

 The Wire Editor as

GatekeeperGatekeeper

Secondary Analysis
The Portrayal of Education in
Prime-time TelevisionMayerle
and Rarick (1989)

Ethics of Research (ASA)

Maintain objectivity in research
Respect the subjects right to privacy
Protect subjects from personal harm
Preserve confidentiality
Seek informed consent
Acknowledge research collaboration
and assistance
7. Disclose all sources of financial
support
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.