SOC100H5 Chapter Notes -Sampling Frame, Social Inequality, Telephone Directory
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SOC100H5 Full Course Notes
Verified Note
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Document Summary
Research: the process of systematically observing reality to assess the validity of a theory. Purpose: to become aware of our biases and to test theories against systematic observations of the social world that other researchers can repeat to check up on us. Subjective experience often enhance objective problems (subjectivity leads to asking questions where an objective research process soon follows) Bias arises only when we remain unaware of our subjectivity. The research cycle: formulate a research question. Can"t answer questions that require faith more than evidence (e. g. does god exist?: review of the existing research literature. Stimulates researchers" sociological imaginations, allows them to refine their initial questions, and prevents duplication of effort: select a research method, collect data. Observing subjects, interviewing them, reading documents produced by or about them, etc: analyze data. May confirm some expectations and confound others, requiring you to think creatively about familiar issues, reconsider the relevant theoretical and research literature, and abandon pet ideas: publish results.
