2.1: Scientific Sociology
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One of the most remarkable traits that August Comte mandated for Sociology was a core of scientific rigor. He proposed the concept of Positivism is the scientifically-based sociological research that uses scientific tools such as survey, sampling, objective measurement, and cultural and historical analysis to study and understand society . Although the current definition of positivism expands far beyond Comte's original vision, Sociological scientific methodology is used through government and industry researchers and across higher education and the private sector. Comte was originally interested in why societies remain the same (social statics) and why societies change (social dynamics). Most sociological research today falls within these broad categories. Sociologists strive for Objectivity is the ability to study and observe without distortion or bias, especially personal bias . Bias-free research is an ideal that, if not present, will open the door to extreme misinterpretation of research findings.
Sociological science is both different and similar to other scientific principles. It differs from Chemistry, Biology, and Physics in that sociology does not manipulate the physical environment using established natural science theories and principles. It's similar to Chemistry, Biology, and Physics in that statistical principles guide the discovery and confirmation of data findings. Yet, Sociology has no universally social laws that resemble: gravity (E=MC 2) or the speed of light. This is because Chemistry, Biology, and Physics have the luxury of studying phenomenon which are acted upon by laws of nature. Sociologist study people, groups, communities, and societies which are comprised of Agents are people who use their agency to make choices based on their varied motivations (Google Anthony Giddens-human agency, January 18, 1938 British Sociologist).
Sociologist Perform Survey Research
Sociologists study people who chose, decide, succeed, fail, harm others, harm themselves, and behave in rational and irrational ways. I've often explained to my students that if I took an ounce of gasoline and placed a burning match upon it, the gas would have to burn. The gas has no choice just as the flame has no choice. But, if someone placed a burning match on your arm, or the arm of your classmate, you or they might respond in any number of ways. Most would find the experience to be painful. Some might enjoy it, others might retaliate with violence, and yet others might feel an emotional bond to the one who burned them. Sociologist must focus on the subjective definitions and perceptions that people place in their choices and motivations. In fact, sociologists account for human subjectivity very well in their research studies. The most common form of Sociological research is survey research. Surveys are research instruments designed to obtain information from individuals who belong to a larger group, organization, or society . The information gathered is used to describe, explain, and at times predict attitudes, behaviors, aspirations, and intended behaviors. Types of surveys include: political polls, opinion surveys, national Censuses, paper surveys, verbal interviews, online surveys, and audience voting- call in (American Idol votes), and polls. Polls are typically surveys which collect opinions (such as who one might vote for in an election, how one feels about the outcome of a controversial issue, or how one evaluates a public official or organization. The Census Bureau ( http://www.census.gov/ ) by the Constitutional mandate must count its entire population every 10 years. A Population is the entire membership of a country, organization, group, or category of people to be surveyed (IE: US population=305,000,000). A Sample is some portion of the population but not all of it (IE: a US Census Bureau's American Community Survey of 35,000 US Citizens. See http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ ). Surveys can ask a certain category of people on a one-time basis; a Cross-Sectional Survey is a survey given once to a group of people . Surveys can also ask the same people to fill out a survey over an extended number of years. A Longitudinal Survey is a survey given to the same people more than once and typically over a set of years or decades .
Table 1. Hypothetical University Student Body Population ABC University with 10,000 students
| Females= 5,000/50% | Males=5,000/50% |
|---|---|
| African American=1,000/10% | African American=1,000/10% |
| Hispanic=1,000/10% | Hispanic=1,000/10% |
| Asian=1,000/10% | Asian=1,000/10% |
| Caucasian=1,000/10% | Caucasian=1,000/10% |
| Other Races=1,000/10% | Other Races=1,000/10 |
Look above at the box and we'll use this hypothetical ABC university student body population to better understand sampling. One of the most important issues when doing survey research is to ensure a good scientific sample. A Random Sample is a portion of the population that is drawn in such a way that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected for the survey. (IE: ABC University Registrar's office uses their computer software to randomly select 1 out of every 10 students for a survey about student opinions in favor of or against getting a football team). A Representative Sample is a sample drawn from the population, the composition of which very much resembles that of the population. Typically this is obtained via a stratified random sample. A Stratified Random Sample is a portion of the population is drawn in such a way that every member of the population and important sub-categories of the population have an equal chance of being selected for the survey, yielding a sample that is demographically similar to population (IE: using the demographic table above, ABC U. would sample 1 out of 10 students or 1,000. They would also want half of those students to be female and half male. They would also want to select for the racial groups. The easiest strategy to do this would be for the Registrar to program the computer to select only the female student's files. Then they would have the computer select only the African American files and select 1 out of 10 students until they have 100 selected. They would repeat this for all other racial groups and then do the same for the males. Ideally, every student would respond to the request to take the survey and they would have a 1,000 student sample that was ½ female and ½ male; with all 5 racial groups represented equally (see box below for example). This is both ideal and hypothetical, but it's typical of the goal sample takers have of a stratified random and representative sample and the closer they get to this ideal the better the sample)
Table 2. The Hypothetical ABC U.Sample Composition of 10,000 students (this never happens in the real world)
| Total Student Body Numbers/Proportions | Sample Student Body Numbers | Sample Student Body Proportions | Percentage Comparison of Population and Sample Proportions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Females 5,000/50% | 500 | 50% | 100% representative |
| Males 5,000/50% | 500 | 50% | 100% representative |
| African American=2,000/20% | 100 Females/100 Males | 10% Females/ 10% Males | 100% representative |
| Hispanic=2,000/20% | 100 Females/100 Males | 10% Females/ 10% Males | 100% representative |
| Asian=2,000/20% | 100 Females/100 Males | 10% Females/ 10% Males | 100% representative |
| Caucasian=2,000/20% | 100 Females/100 Males | 10% Females/ 10% Males | 100% representative |
| Other Races=2,000/20% | 100 Females/100 Males | 10% Females/ 10% Males | 100% representative |
A Convenience Sample is a portion of the population that is NOT scientifically drawn, but is collected because they are easy to access (IE: a group of ABC U. students waiting at a bus stop; a group of ABC U. students who respond to a radio talk show web poll; or a group of ABC U. students walking around the Student Center). Convenience samples yield weak results. Or as one of my Mentors, Dr. Tim Heaton, BYU once said, "If you start the presentation of your research results with we didn't really do good science, but here's what we found...then few will stick around or care about what you found."
It is also important to consider a few other scientific principles when conducting survey research. You need an adequate number of respondents or Sample Size, which is the number of respondents who are designated to take the survey (30 minimum in order to establish statistical confidence in the findings).You also have to obtain a relatively high Response Rate, which is the percentage of the original sample who successfully completed the survey. For example, at ABC university if we set out to survey 1,000 out of the student body of 10,000 students, but only got 200 to take the survey then our response rate risk being too low. One would say that 200/1,000=20 percent response rate. While 750/1,000=75 percent response rate. A sample of only 200 would likely not yield enough diversity in responses to get a broad understanding of the entire student body's reaction to the football team issue.
With a high enough response rate and a good scientific sample, one could feel comfortable comparing the sample's results to what the entire student body population might have said, had they all been surveyed. Generalizability means that the results from the sample can be assumed to apply to the population with confidence (as though the population itself had been studied). Also important is the quality of the survey itself as a scientific instrument. Valid Survey Questions are questions that are accurate and measure what they claim they'll measure (IE: If the football survey asked "Every campus needs a football team" versus "This campus would benefit from a football team." The first lacks validity because it isn't really getting the answer needed for the study, it's seeking an opinion about campuses and football teams in general). Reliable Survey Questions are survey questions that are relatively free from bias errors which might taint the findings . In other words, reliable survey questions are consistent.
Components of Good Surveys
There are 2 types of survey questions. Open Survey Questions are questions designed to get respondents to answer in their own words (IE: "what might be the benefits of having a football team?"________________________________ or "what might be a negative consequence of having a football team?"________________________________). Closed Survey Questions are questions designed to get respondents to choose from a list of responses you provide to them (IE: About how many college football games have you ever attended? __1 __2 __3 __4 __5 __6 __7 __8 __9 __10+). Likert Scale Questions are the most common response scale used in surveys and questionnaires . These questions are statements which respondents are asked to agree or disagree with (IE: Our campus would be deeply hurt by a football team). The respondents choose from the scale below for their answer:
1. Strongly disagree 2. Disagree 3. Neither agree nor disagree 4. Agree 5. Strongly agree
Demographic Questions are questions which provide the basic categorical information about your respondent including: age, sex, race, education level, marital status, birth date, birth place, income, etc . In order to run statistical analysis on survey results, one must enter the data into Excel, Statistical Packages for the Social Science (SPSS), or Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) in order to run analysis. Most statistics are run on numbers. By converting responses into numbers, most results can be analyzed. For example on the Disagree...Agree scale above one would use the number 1 in lieu of Strongly Disagree. Words can be analyzed using content analysis software. Content Analysis is the counting and tabulating of words, sentences, and themes from written, audio, video, and other forms of communication . The goal of content analysis is to find common themes among the words. For example if an open ended question such as this were asked, "what might be a negative consequence of having a football team?" then the results would be carefully read with tabulations of common responses. When we asked this question to our university students in a random sample, the worry about the high expenses required to fund the team and program was one of the most common negative consequence reported.
There are a few specific types of data that can be analyzed using statistical measures. Nominal Data is data with no standard numerical values . This is often referred to as categorical data (IE: what is your favorite type of pet? __Reptile __Canine __Feline __Bird __Other). There is no numerical value associated with reptile that makes it more or less valuable than a canine or other type pet. Other examples include favorite color, street addresses, town you grew up in, or ice cream flavor. Ordinal Data is rank ordered data which has standard numerical values . This is often referred to as numerical data. (IE: How many movies have you seen in the last two weeks? __0 __1 __2 __3 __4 __5). Ordinal data has the assumption that seeing 2 movies took twice as much effort than seeing just 1 movie and seeing 4 movies was twice the effort of seeing just 2. The values are equally weighted. The same could be said about how many A's you earned last semester, how much you get paid per hour at work, or how many cars your family drives; they are numerical values that can be compared and contrasted. Ratio Data is data that is shown in comparison to other data . For example, the Sex Ratio is the number of males per 100 females in a society . The sex ratio in the US is reported as follows on 5 February, 2009: Alaska 107/100; US Total 97.1/100; Rhode Island 93.6/100 (these were 2006 estimates from factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GRTTable?_bm=y&-_box_head_nbr=R0102&-ds_name=ACS_2005_EST_G00_&-_lang=en&-format=US-30) Ratios provide comparative information and we can see that in 2006 Alaska had more males than females, 7 extra per 100 females. Rhode Island had nearly 7 fewer males per 100 females.
All of the examples above of football team related questions are considered variables. Variables are survey questions that measure some characteristic of the population (IE: if married students were more financially strapped than single students, one might find that they were more or less supportive of a football team based on their perception of how adding a football team might hinder or support their personal needs. Marital status as a consideration when comparing the findings of the survey becomes a variable in its own right). Two types of variables are measured: dependent and independent variables. Dependent Variables are survey variables that change in response to the influence of independent variables . The dependent variable would be desire or opposition for a football team and Independent Variables are survey variables that when manipulated will stimulate a change upon the dependent variables (IE: by considering married, widowed, divorced, separated, cohabiting, and never married students, one might find differing support/opposition to an ABC U. football team).
When basic statistics are performed on data, we often call theme measures of central tendency (Mean, Median, or Mode). Consider this list of numbers which represents the number of movies that 9 separate ABC U. students had seen in the last 2 weeks:
0
1 1 1 3 4 4 5 8 9The Mean is the arithmetic score of all the numbers divided by the total number of students (IE: 27÷9=3). The Median is the exact mid-point value in the ranked list of scores (IE:0, 1, 1, & 1 fall below and 4, 4, 5, & 8 fall above the number 3 thus 3 is the median). The Mode is the number which occurs the most in a list of numbers (IE:1 occurs the most, so the mode is 1). The Extreme Value is the especially low or high number in the series (IE: 8 movies in 2 weeks takes an inordinate amount of time for an average student). Notice that if you removed the 9 th student's score and averaged only the remaining scores the mean=2.375. Extreme values can throw the mean way off. If you'd like to learn more about survey research, then take a research methods class. Chances are you will enjoy taking on the role of statistical detective. Here is an overview of simple questions to see if you are building a good survey.
- What do you want to accomplish in this survey?
- Who will your survey serve?
- Who is the target audience for the survey?
- How will the survey be designed?
- How will you obtain a sample for the survey?
- How will the survey be administered?
- How big should your response rate be to give your results credibility?
- How will the data be analyzed?
- How will the results be presented?
- Are humans or animals going to be at risk of harm in the survey?
Components of a good survey include: clear purpose for taking the survey; clear understanding of desired outcomes of survey; good research supporting development and design of survey; appropriate sampling technique when collecting survey; reliability and validity in survey and its question and design; and clear and accurate presentation of survey findings that are appropriate for the type of survey used.
Can You Figure Out What Might Be Wrong With These Survey Questions?
- Have you ever attended a college football or basketball game? __Yes __No
- Are you in favor of spending all of ABC U's money on an expensive football program? __Yes __No
- Are you not opposed to supporting a football program? __Yes __No
- I think the ABC U's administration pays too much attention to community service. 1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Donít know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree
- It would be fiducially incompetent to initiate the cost-to-benefit ratio projections for a football team. 1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Donít know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree
- Double barreled question...it asks two questions in one and you canít clearly answer.
- Biased question...uses emotionally laden language which might change the response.
- Double negative...creates confusion.
- Irrelevant question for the survey about student interest in a football team.
- Too many technical words that the average person would not understand...creates confusion.
Better Versions of the Same Questions
- Have you ever attended a college football game? __Yes __No
- Have you ever attended a college basketball game? __Yes __No
- Are you in favor of ABC U. spending student fees on a football program? __Yes __No
- Are you in favor of a football program? __Yes __No
- I think the ABC U.'s administration should hold forums with students about the issue of a future football program. 1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Don't know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree
- I am concerned about a new football program being too expensive. 1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Don't know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree
Which Responses Categories Are Useful For Which Survey Question?
It Depends on the Question!
- 1 ___Yes 0 ___No
- 4 Excellent 3 Good 2 Fair 1 Poor
- 5 Very Likely 4 Somewhat Likely 3 No Preference 2 Unlikely 1 Very Unlikely
- 0 Never 1 Seldom 2 Often 3 Regularly
- 1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Don't know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree
- 1 Strongly Disapprove 2 Disapprove 3 Don't know 4 Approve 5 Strongly Approve
- 3 Better 2 About the Same 1 Worse
When doing sociological research it helps if you understand the SMART Paradigm
- S amples
- M ethods
- A ttitude of skepticism
- R esearcher bias
- T horough understanding of literature
Samples have to be random and representative. If not the results are fairly worthless. Remember that you shouldn't start a conversation about your data by saying "We didn't really do good scientific sampling, but here's what we've found..." Most people won't care about your findings after they know your science was weak. I compare it to this hypothetical incident. Your car is broken down late at night in a dangerous part of town. A passerby stops to help and says, "I don't know how to fix cars, but I'll go ask those people hanging out at the bus stop. He returns 10 minutes later and explains that 3 of the people there once had their cars break down and every time it was their spark plugs. So I'd recommend you change your spark plugs." Believe me, I know this is a cheesy example, but it conveys the point. Asking three people at a bus stop is a convenience sample of people (not even mechanics). True, it does look and feel like a survey, but it is a terrible sample.
I watch this all the time on TV news stories where a few people on the street give their opinions; Internet polls where people who visit certain Websites give their opinions; and radio talk shows where votes are counted among those who are selected to comment on the air are treated as though they somehow represent all people everywhere. Smart people always check the sample for representativeness and random selection.
Methods typically include: experiments, participant observations, non-participant observations, surveys, and secondary analysis. Experiments are studies in which researchers can observe phenomena while holding other variables constant or controlling them . In experiments, the experimental group gets the treatment and the Control group does not get the treatment. Even though Sociologists rarely perform experimental surveys, it is important to understand the rigors required to execute this type of research. In this example let's assume that researchers are testing the affect of a drug called XYZ. Among Herpes sufferers, XYZ may help to completely repel an outbreak. But, how can you discern if it was the medicine or simply that patient improvement came because they were in the study? We'd need some form of control/controls. In the diagram below you can see how scientists might administer an experimental study. If they took 300 patients and randomly assign them to: Group A which was an inert gum-only control; Group B which was the gum and sugar control (yes, sometimes 2 control groups are needed); or Group B which is the experimental XYZ laced gum.
Figure 1. Experimental Research Design
© 2005 Ron J. Hammond, Ph.D.
Let's assume that the patients chewed their respective chewing gums for 11 months then the medical results were gathered. Look at the next diagram below to see a set of hypothetical results. Group A was the control-gum only group and they showed a 5 percent improvement. Group B was the control-gum and sugar group and they showed a 7 percent improvement. Group C was the experimental/treatment group and they showed a whopping 27 percent improvement. Now one study like this does not an FDA approved drug make. But, the results are promising. Interestingly, this is a pharmaceutical, medical study...not a sociology study. Almost all experiments are very tightly controlled and many transpire in laboratories or under professional clinical supervision. Sociologists rarely study in laboratories. Scientists who do perform experiments can make causal conclusions. In order to establish cause there must be 3 criteria that are met: a correlation, time ordering (one preceded the other); and no spurious correlations. In the case of education and crime these 3 are not met. Causation means that a change in one variable leads to or causes a change in another variable, or XYZ chewing gum causes less Herpes outbreaks .
Figure 2. Example of a Drug-Related Experimental Research Design
© 2005 Ron J. Hammond, Ph.D.
Sociologists do perform studies that allow for correlation research conclusions. There are three types of correlations. Direct Correlation means that the variables change in the same direction (IE: the more education you have the more money you make). Inverse Correlation means that the variables change in opposite directions (IE: the more education you have the less criminal activity you get caught doing). Spurious Correlation is an apparent relationship between two variables which indicates their relationship to a third variable and not to each other (IE: the more education you have, the higher your family's standard of living and the lower your likelihood of participating in criminal activities). In other words, there are other correlated factors that influence criminal behavior which are simultaneously at play.
Sometimes Sociologists perform Field Experiments - studies which utilize experimental design but are initiated in everyday settings and non-laboratory environments. For example, a sociologist might manipulate the levels of lighting to study how factory work performance is impacted (Google Hawthorn Effect). A few other methods are sometimes used by Sociologists. Participant Observation=a research method where the researcher participates in activities and more or less assumes membership in the group she studies. Content Analysis is when the researcher systematically and quantitatively describes the contents of some form of media. Secondary Analysis= the analysis of data that have already been gathered by others.
Just for fun I've added an interesting survey my students and I developed to study dating patterns here at UVU in 2006. Some of my students were interested in why we are drawn to those we date and which factors lead us toward staying together or breaking up. In this survey we are trying to establish some of the top reasons people are breaking off their relationships. We have established three influential categories: safety, economics, and attractiveness. This focus group will help us to organize our concerns about why individuals and their partners are "breaking up." Please take a few moments to answer the questions below and please be ready to discuss some of your comments or concerns.
Please respond to the questions below using this response scale:
1 Strongly Disagree 2 Disagree 3 Don't know 4 Agree 5 Strongly Agree or __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Safety
- I consider sexual security more important than Emotional security __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I have a fear of date rape when I am out on a date __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I feel that while on a date I am aware of the other person's safety __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- When confronted with a potentially dangerous situation in a date setting I am likely to suggest a safer alternative __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Adventure is more important to me then safety __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Abstinence before marriage is an important attribute to me __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Economics
- Love is more important to me then money __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Education in someone I am dating is important to me in my economic security __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am attracted to the leader type __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- It is important in my future for the other person to be financially supportive __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I expect my date to be willing to pay for my dating expenses __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- At the end of the date I expect some sort of physical assurance __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am more attracted to physical appearance then I am to money __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- Attraction
- I am more drawn to physical appearance then I am to personality __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am more drawn to a potential girlfriend/boyfriend if they express the same interests as me __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am more drawn to a potential girlfriend/boyfriend if they express the same spiritual interests as me __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am attracted to skill over charm __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am drawn to someone in control over someone who is sensitive __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I am drawn to someone who is capable over someone who is needy __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I prefer to date someone my age or younger. __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I agree with the statement: "Once a cheater, always a cheater?" __1 __2 __3 __4 __5
- I feel that my chances of potential marriage are diminished after ages __19-22 __23-25 __26-29 ____30+
- My age in years:____
- My sex: __Female __Male
- My class standing: __Freshmen __Sophomore __Junior __Senior
- My Marital Status: __Never Married __Live with someone (cohabit) __Divorced/Sep. __Widowed __Married
- My race: __Native American __Asian __Hispanic __African American __Caucasian __Mixed
- I consider the home I grew up in to be: __Upper class __Middle class __Lower class __Working poor
- I'd like to find someone with whom I can live: __Upper class __Middle class __Lower class __Working poor
- About how many dates have you had to this point in your life: ___Lots __Average __Few __None