Sociology Research Methods

Qualitative Methods

Ethnography

## Ethnographic Research Design

Setting: [Where will you conduct fieldwork?]
Duration: [Minimum 6 months for deep ethnography]
Access: [How will you gain entry? Gatekeeper?]
Role: [Participant observer / Observer / Complete participant]

Data Collection:
  1. Field notes (write within 24 hours of observation)
  2. In-depth interviews (semi-structured, 60-90 min)
  3. Document analysis (institutional records, media)
  4. Photography/video (with informed consent)

Analysis:
  1. Open coding → Axial coding → Selective coding (Grounded Theory)
  2. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2006)
  3. Thick description (Geertz 1973)

In-Depth Interviews

## Interview Protocol Template

1. Opening (5 min):
   - Informed consent review
   - Recording permission
   - "Tell me about yourself and your role in [context]"

2. Core Questions (40-60 min):
   - Grand tour: "Walk me through a typical day at [setting]"
   - Specific: "Can you tell me about a time when [phenomenon]?"
   - Probe: "What did that mean to you?"
   - Contrast: "How is that different from [comparison]?"

3. Closing (10 min):
   - "Is there anything I haven't asked that you think is important?"
   - Next steps and member checking

Transcription: Verbatim, including pauses and emphasis
Sample size: Theoretical saturation (typically 15-30 interviews)

Content and Discourse Analysis

Coding Scheme Development:
1. Read 10% of corpus to identify initial themes
2. Create codebook with: code name, definition, inclusion/exclusion criteria, example
3. Double-code 20% of corpus with second researcher
4. Calculate inter-coder reliability (Cohen's κ ≥ 0.70)
5. Resolve disagreements through discussion
6. Code remaining corpus

Quantitative Methods

Survey Design

## Survey Construction Checklist

□ Define target population clearly
□ Sampling frame: how are respondents selected?
  - Probability: simple random, stratified, cluster, systematic
  - Non-probability: convenience, snowball, quota (state limitations)
□ Question types:
  - Likert scale (5-point or 7-point) for attitudes
  - Semantic differential for perceptions
  - Forced choice for behaviors
  - Open-ended for exploratory (code afterward)
□ Pilot test with 10-20 respondents from target population
□ Calculate required sample size (use G*Power or equivalent)
□ IRB/Ethics approval obtained
□ Response rate tracking plan

Common Statistical Analyses in Sociology

Secondary Data Sources

Mixed Methods Design

Sequential Explanatory:
  Phase 1: Quantitative survey (n=500) → identify patterns
  Phase 2: Qualitative interviews (n=20) → explain mechanisms

Sequential Exploratory:
  Phase 1: Qualitative fieldwork → generate hypotheses
  Phase 2: Quantitative survey → test generalizability

Concurrent Triangulation:
  Collect qualitative + quantitative simultaneously
  Compare and integrate findings
  Resolve contradictions through deeper analysis

Ethics in Social Research

## Core Principles (Belmont Report)

1. Respect for Persons: Informed consent, protect autonomy
2. Beneficence: Minimize harm, maximize benefits
3. Justice: Fair selection of subjects, equitable distribution of benefits

## Practical Requirements
□ IRB/Ethics board approval before data collection
□ Informed consent (written or verbal, documented)
□ Anonymity vs. Confidentiality (know the difference)
□ Data security: encrypted storage, access controls
□ Vulnerable populations: extra protections required
□ Right to withdraw at any time without penalty
□ Deception: only if absolutely necessary, with debriefing

References

• Babbie, E. (2021). The Practice of Social Research (15th ed.). Cengage.
• Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design (5th ed.). SAGE.
• Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures. Basic Books.
• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). "Using thematic analysis in psychology." Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
• ICPSR Data Archive
• GSS Data Explorer