SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Scientific Method
4 Jul 2018
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Scientific Method for Sociology
An area of inquiry is a scientific discipline if its investigators use the scientific method,
which is a systematic approach to researching questions and problems through objective and
accurate observation, collection and analysis of data, direct experimentation,
and replication(repeating) of these procedures. Scientists affirm the importance of gathering
information carefully, remaining unbiased when evaluating information, observing phenomena,
conducting experiments, and accurately recording procedures and results. They are also skeptical
about their results, so they repeat their work and have their findings confirmed by other
scientists.
Is sociological research scientific? Yes! By definition, sociological research is the scientific
means of acquiring information about various aspects of society and social behavior.
Sociologists use the scientific method. Like other scientists, they stress the accurate and unbiased
collection and analysis of social data, use systematic observation, conduct experiments, and
exhibit skepticism.
Basic Sociological Research Concepts
An investigator begins a research study after evolving ideas from a specific theory, which is an
integrated set of statements for explaining various phenomena. Because a theory is too general to
test, the investigator devises a hypothesis, or testable prediction, from the theory, and tests this
instead. The results of the research study either disprove or do not disprove the hypothesis. If
disproved, the investigator cannot make predictions based on the hypothesis, and must question
the accuracy of the theory. If not disproved, the scientist can make predictions based on the
hypothesis.
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Document Summary
Scientists affirm the importance of gathering information carefully, remaining unbiased when evaluating information, observing phenomena, conducting experiments, and accurately recording procedures and results. They are also skeptical about their results, so they repeat their work and have their findings confirmed by other scientists. By definition, sociological research is the scientific means of acquiring information about various aspects of society and social behavior. Like other scientists, they stress the accurate and unbiased collection and analysis of social data, use systematic observation, conduct experiments, and exhibit skepticism. An investigator begins a research study after evolving ideas from a specific theory, which is an integrated set of statements for explaining various phenomena. Because a theory is too general to test, the investigator devises a hypothesis, or testable prediction, from the theory, and tests this instead. The results of the research study either disprove or do not disprove the hypothesis.
