Major Social Science Research Methods

Complete the following chart by researching the various methods.

Research Definition Which Explanation Pros and Cons Real Life

Method discipline is (details, how the Example
it most research is conducted, (ex. Place,
commonly facts, info) location, event,
study)
associated
with?

Qualitative Data Describing Sociology, Conducted using Pros Jane Foster

attributes or Anthropology things like - Numbers observing
properties interviews, can be monkeys.
without using observation, and skewed in
numerical values experiments. any which
way, but
not
qualitative
data
- Can use a
smaller
sample
size.
- Can explore
the data
more
deeply.
Cons
- Not always
reliable
because
biases
exist.

Quantitative Data Quantitative data Psychology, Quantitative data is Pros: Walter Mischel
is the value of Sociology and conducted using - Research marshmallow
 data represented Anthropology surveys, using experiment.
by counts or experiments, field quantitative
numbers where observations and data is very
each set of data focus groups. fast
has a unique - It’s reliable
numerical value and
repeatable
information
- The findings
can be
generalized
with
quantitative
data
Cons:
- Quantitativ
e data
cannot be
followed-up
by any
other
answers
- You do not
have access
to specific
feedback
- It could
create an
unnatural
environmen
t

Survey A survey is a Sociology Surveys are Pros A Google form

collection of conducted to either - Easy to do asking students
information from find out about a - Can be what their
a group of people certain demographic developed favorite sport is.
from questions. (group) or to group faster
and compare them. It - Can be
 can also be used to administere
find how a certain d remotely,
group thinks. by using
things like
Google.
Cons
- Not always
reliable
- Not always
realistic for
more
controversi
al issues.

Field Observation Field observation Sociology and A field observation is Pros: Also Jane
is a type of field Psychology conducted to find - It gives Goodall’s
research that is and observe the very research on
used to observe a person or group of detailed chimpanzees
targeted person people and draws data
or a group of correlations between - It
targeted people subjects and emphasizes
in their surroundings, and the role and
environment in how the surroundings relevance
order to learn might change their of social
their behavior, behavior. context
activities and - It can find
process. social facts
that may
not be
obvious at
first or
which
research
participants
might be
unaware of.
Cons:
- It might
 lack
breadth;
gathering
very
detailed
information
means
being
unable to
gather data
from a very
large
number of
people or
groups.
- It may be
emotionally
taxing.
- Documentin
g
observation
s may be
more
challenging
than with
other
methods

Experiment Experiments are Sociology, A procedure carried Pros Seeing how

procedures Psychology out under controlled - Allows people react to a
designed to make variables to either researchers planned (faked)
a decision, test a learn information, or to have a kidnapping
hypothesis, or to solidify high level of
demonstrate a information you control.
fact that is already know. - Experiment
already known. s can
always be
duplicated
 Cons
- Time
consuming
process
- Experiment
al
processes
can create
situations
that wuldn
actually
apply to
real life.

Focus Group A Psychology, Focus groups are Pro’s: The Second World
demographically Sociology and conducted to collect - Easy to War propaganda
diverse group of Anthropology qualitative data and measure focus group, the
people assembled in-depth insights. customer first ‘focused
to participate in a They allow reactions interview'.
guided discussion researchers to gather - Very easy
about a particular information on to save
product before it anything from time
is launched, or to products and Cons:
provide ongoing services to beliefs - Not as
feedback on a and perceptions in much depth
political order to reveal true compared
campaign, customer attitudes to other
television series, and opinions. market
etc. research
options
- Focus
groups are
much more
expensive
compared
to other
options
- Moderators
 can greatly
impact the
bias of the
people in
the focus
group

Participant The process of Anthropology, This can involve a Pro’s: William F.

Observation entering a group and Sociology group of researchers - It gives the Whyte's study,
of people with a staying with a group researcher “Street Corner
common shared of people, and a better Society” (1943).
identity, in order recording and understandi
to gain an documenting their ng of what
understanding of experiences. This is is
their done to learn more happening
community/cultur about that cultures in the
e. beliefs and lifestyle culture and
lends
credence to
one's
interpretati
ons of the
observation
Con’s:
- It can be
very time
consuming
- It generates
a vast
amount of
data
- By
participatin
g in
activities,
the
researcher
can
 inadvertentl
y influence
the other
participants
' behavior

Critical Critical Anthropology, Critical ethnography Pro’s: Carspecken

Ethnography ethnography is an and Sociology is a qualitative - it gives the worked to relate
(critical theory) approach that research method that researcher the philosophy of
draws on endeavors to explore direct critical theory
research and and understand access to from the
theory to critique dominant discourses the culture Frankfurt School
hegemony, that are seen as and and the Theory of
oppression, being the 'right' way practices of Communicative
asymmetrical to think, see, talk a group Action of Jürgen
power relations, about or enact a Con’s: Habermas, to
and the particular 'action' or - Ethnograph educational
normalization of situation in society y is time research.
these structures and recommend consuming
in society, in ways to redress and
order to social power requires a
potentially foster inequities. well-trained
social change in researcher
direct or indirect
ways.

Interview An interview is a Psychology - Introduce Pro’s: Oprah Winfrey's

qualitative yourself - Ability to interview with
research method - Set the stage find the Micheal Jackson.
that relies on - Review the job right
asking questions - Start with candidate
in order to collect generalized - Enables
data. Interviews questions detailed
involve two or - Review the assessment
more people, one applicant's - Great
of whom is the resume source of
interviewer - Ask some information
asking the consistent - Increase
questions. There questions knowledge
 are several types - Vary your Con’s:
of interviews, questions - Highly time-
often - Give consuming
differentiated by candidates a - Risk of
their level of chance to ask personal
structure. questions bias
- Quick to
judge
- Can easily
form
stereotypes

Example:
Suppose a school board is considering restructuring local schools. What would be the best method of collecting reliable and valid
data to use in comparing the viability of the various schools? What would be the benefits of using qualitative data? What would
be the benefits of using quantitative data?” The benefits of using qualitative data would be that it is easier to look at and put into
words that can be understood. For example, asking the students about their opinions on teachers is easy to understand. This is in
contrast to quantitative data where you would say, look at each teacher's test scores. This can also be seen as better, because
there is less room for bias, as well as more objectivity.