Key Issues of Sociology and Research Methods (see chapters 1 & 4 in your text):    

Contents:

 

  1. Chapter One - Discovering Sociology           

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CHAPTER ONE - DISCOVERING SOCIOLOGY

1. A.  Symbolic Interactionism - Charles H.Cooley and George H. Mead are the major, early theorists associated with this    school of thought in American sociology.


   B. You should become very familiar with the three primary schools of thought:

    1. Structural Functionalism - 
    2. Symbolic Interactionism -
    3. Conflict Perspective -

        These three perspectives will be found in all chapters in addressing the various   
        issues.

       Familiarize yourself with Robert Merton, especially his concepts of manifest, latent, 
       and dysfunctional functions regarding society.

Research Methods  -  

I.   Quantative Research{ primary uses statistical techniques to collect and analyze 
     data} - 

1.  Experimental - Experimental and Control Groups

2.  Survey - includes use of random sampling, as the primary means of collecting and     
     gathering information. 

            a. fixed response or closed-ended questions

            b.  open-ended questions

3.  Secondary Analysis/Historical Documents

II. Qualtiative [descriptive research]  - 

A. Observational Studies

    1.  Participant - researcher is part of research

    2. Non-Participant (Unobtrusive Measures) - researcher is not an active part of   
        research and has little to no contact with groups being observed.

   3.  Case Study - primary focus is on a particular group. Research is based primarily on 
        their particular experiences

  4.   Ethnography - intensive one-to-one interviewing. Researcher tries to develop a 
       rapport with one individual. This individual is referred to as the 'informant', but    
       their main role is to provide a type of liason with other group's members. A focus is 
       also placed on the explosive episodes that may have occurred in the individual's 
       life.

 Levels of Analysis

   Macrolevel - focuses on large-scale societal issues

   Middle level(Mezzo) - focuses on issues at the community level or small businesses

   Microlevel - focuses on small-scale societal issues

Equations:   It is important to understand the dynamics between levels of analysis,      
     types  of measurements, and associated theoretical perspectives.

Macrolevel = Quantiative Research = Conflict or Functionalism

Middle(mezzo) = Qualitative or Quantitaive (more likely to use primarily at the Microlevel) = Social Exchange Theory (Rational Exchange theoroy[which falls under the sumbolic interationist perspective]

Microlevel = Qualitative = Symbolic Interactionism

 

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My Email Address is: robinsono@midlandstech.edu

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