- •What is scientific method?
- •Defining the Problem
- •Reviewing the Literature
- •Formulating the Hypothesis
- •Figure 2-1 Causal Logic
- •Independent variable х
- •Collecting and Analyzing Data
- •Developing the Conclusion
- •Ideas for further research
- •M edia image
- •In Summary: Scientific Method
- •Participant Observation
- •Surveys
- •In preparing to conduct a survey, sociologists must exercise great care in the wording of questions (see Table 2-1). An effective survey question
- •Unobtrusive Measures
- •It is important to realize that research designs need not be viewed as mutually exclusive. As was
- •Ethics of research
- •Case Studies of Ethical Controversies
- •Current research
- •In order to study the lifestyle of homosexual males in tearooms, Humphreys acted as a participant observer by serving as a "lookout," warning patrons when police or other strangers ap-
- •Neutrality and Politics in Research
- •If possible, read your paper aloud. Doing so may be helpful in locating sections or phrases that do not make sense.
Developing the Conclusion
Scientific studies, including those conducted by sociologists, do not aim to answer all the questions that can be raised about a particular subject. Therefore, the conclusion of a research study represents both an end and a beginning. It terminates a specific phase of the investigation, but it should also generate ideas for future study (see Figure 2-2). This is true of the research on the homeless conducted by David Snow, Susan Baker, Leon Anderson, and Michael Martin.
Confirming Hypotheses Sociological studies do not always generate data that confirm the original hypotheses. In many instances, a hypothesis is refuted, and researchers must reformulate their conclusions. Unexpected results may also lead sociologists to reexamine their methodology and make changes in the research design. In the study discussed above, however, the data confirmed the hypothesis: most homeless persons are not mentally ill. Only 16.2 percent of the homeless men and women included in the Austin, Texas, sample had had contact with a mental health agency and had been diagnosed as having mental health problems. Moreover, as is shown in Figure 2-3 (page 40), only 10.8 percent of the sample had been institutionalized.
Do these results show the homeless to be a group with serious mental problems? The proportion of homeless persons who have been institutionalized (10.8 percent) far exceeds the figure
FIGURE 2-2 Scientific Method
Define the problem
Review the literature
Formulate the hypothesis
Select research design Collect and analyze data
Unobtrusive measures
Survey
Participant observation
Develop the conclusion
Ideas for further research
Scientific method allows sociologists to objectively and logically evaluate the facts collected. This can lead to further ideas for sociological research.
of 0.26 percent of all Texas men who have been institutionalized in mental hospitals. Nevertheless, the results of this study do not begin to approach the common media estimates that one-third to three-quarters of the homeless are mentally ill. In view of the data developed in the Austin study, the researchers conclude that the "linkage between homelessness and mental illness has been overstated" (Snow et al., 1986:421).
Controlling for Other Factors The characteristics of the homeless are additional variables used in the study, known as control variables. A control variable is a factor held constant to test the relative impact of the independent variable. Earlier, we noted that family income has an important influence on the relationship between mothers working outside the home and the likelihood that their children will come to be viewed as delinquents. If researchers had not introduced the control variable of family income, they might
CHAPTER TWO ♦ METHODS OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
FIGURE 2-3 Homelessness and Mental Illness: Comparison of Image and Reality
_] Nonimpaired homeless
Mentally ill homeless-minimum estimate
Mentally ill & homeless—
maximum estimate
Austin, Texas, study of the homeless 10.8%
I | Nonimpaired
homeless
Homeless with history of institutionalization
^Mentally ill homeless &