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3.1 Describe the scientific method.

Video Link: Sociology Speculating vs Scientific Method

Description: Explains the difference between speculation and the scientific method. Furthermore, the video explains why using the scientific method is an objective approach to studying and researching a subject.

Audio Link: Big Data is not a cure-all in medicine

Description: Big data has become more easily accessible, readily available online, and progressively searchable. This podcast discusses the trend of using big data in medicinal research, and the way it may impact research.

Web Resource: Introduction to Sociology/Sociological Methods

Description: Illustrates how sociologists use the scientific method to investigate and understand social phenomena.

 

3.2 Explain how scientific knowledge develops over time.

Video Link: The Half-Life Of Facts: Sam Arbesman at TEDxKC

Description: Discusses how facts can change over time due to new findings in research and how this can have profound consequences.

Audio Link: Bilingual Studies Reveal Flaw in How Info Reaches Mainstream

Description: The podcast discusses how research can become misinterpreted when it reaches mainstream media and can convey a message that's different from what the original research intended.

Web Resource: Modern science: What's changing?

Description: This article discusses that, due to the technological advances that help run experiments, observations include a larger breadth and depth of scientific knowledge.

 

3.3 Describe the various methods of sociological research and the types of questions each one can help us answer.

Video Link: Sociology Methods Using Data to Think Deeper

Description: To generate an understanding of how sociologists try to go beyond statistical information and how asking the right questions can generate a deeper understanding of human behavior.

Audio Link: Mad Cow Research Hints At Ways To Halt Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

Description: To generate an understanding of how sociologists try to go beyond statistical information and how asking the right questions can generate a deeper understanding of human behavior.

Web Resource: What is a Research Question?

Description: Describes the importance of questions in research and how research questions can guide and center the research.

 

3.4 Describe how sociologists engage in secondary data analysis.

Video Link: Secondary Data Analysis in CER, Ken Ottenbacher, OTR, PhD

Description: This video describes the method of using preexisting data in a different way. It explains the advantages and the disadvantages for researchers when using second data analysis.

Audio Link: Using Student Data to Spot At-Risk Students

Description: Describes how relying on the analysis of secondary data from other resources can help identify students’ problems outside of the school environment.

Web Resource: Secondary Data Analysis

Description: Explains how researchers use second data analysis, the advantages and disadvantages of using this method, and provides examples of where second data resources can be found.

 

3.5 Identify the key issues in social research, including reliability, validity, trust, legality, and avoidance of harm.

Video Link: Reliability vs Validity

Description: Explains what reliability and validity are and its importance when conducting social research.

Video Link: Research Ethics

Description: Explains the historical reasons and the importance of having ethical standards in research.

Audio Link: Scientists Urge Temporary Moratorium On Human Genome Edits

Description: Bioethicists are calling for worldwide moratorium to stop researchers from using new technology to alter the human genomic code until more research, discussions, and regulations are put in place.

Web Resource: Ethics in Research

Description: Identifies the key issues in social research. It explains concepts such as reliability, validity, ethics in research, and avoidance of harm.