Introduction to Sociology

GLOSSARY

interview: a one-on-one conversation between the researcher and the subject
population: a defined group serving as the subject of a study
quantitative data: represent research collected in numerical form that can be counted
qualitative data: comprise information that is subjective and often based on what is seen in a natural setting
random sample: a study’s participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population
samples: small, manageable number of subjects that represent the population
surveys: collect data from subjects who respond to a series of questions about behaviors and opinions, often in the form of a questionnaire
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  Modification, adaptation, and original content. Authored by: Sarah Hoiland for Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
  
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  Survey interactive. Authored by: Scott Barr for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
  
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  Research Methods. Authored by: OpenStax CNX. Located at: https://cnx.org/contents/AgQDEnLI@11.2:5y6RWnGd@14/Research-Methods. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/02040312-72c8-441e-a685-20e9333f3e1d@3.49
  

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Experiments

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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  Describe and give examples of how sociologists utilize experiments
  

Experiments

You’ve probably tested some of your own theories: “If I study at night and review in the morning, I’ll improve my retention skills.” Or, “If I stop drinking soda, I’ll feel better.” Cause and effect. If this, then that. Causation is difficult to establish, so even if we seem to find evidence in our own lives that appears to prove our hypotheses, this is not sociological research nor is it evidence of causation. Sociologists set up specific studies in controlled environments in order to examine relationships between variables. Some studies are correlational, meaning they examine how two variables change together, while others are experimental, meaning they use controlled conditions to attempt to explain cause and effect. The primary difference between our everyday observations and sociological research is the systematic approach researchers use to collect data. 
Experiments aim to measure the relationship of the independent variable to the dependent variable, and the researcher or research team will attempt to control all other variables in the experimental process. This is often done in a lab-based setting, but can also be done as a field experiment. As discussed in the section on ethics, there are many considerations to address before any experimental work can occur. Sociologists must obtain approval from a review board (sometimes called an Internal Review Board or IRB) before they commence any type of sociological experiment.