What is scientific method?

Like the typical woman or man on the street, the sociologist is interested in the central questions of our time. Is the family falling apart? Why is there so much crime in the United States? How do Americans feel about the increasing federal defi­cit? Such issues concern most people, whether or not they have academic training. However, unlike the typical citizen, the sociologist has a commit­ment to the use of scientific method in studying society. Scientific method is a systematic, orga­nized series of steps that ensures maximum objec­tivity and consistency in researching a problem. Many of us will never actually conduct scientific research. Nonetheless, it is important that we understand scientific method, for it plays a major role in the workings of our society. Americans are constantly being bombarded with "facts" or "data." A television news report informs us that "one in every two American marriages now ends in divorce," yet Chapter 12 will show that this as-

CHAPTER TWO ♦ METHODS OF

sertion is based on misleading statistics. Almost daily, advertisers cite supposedly scientific studies to prove that their products are superior. Such claims may be accurate or exaggerated. We can make better evaluations of such information— and will not be fooled as easily—if we are familiar with the standards of scientific research. As this chapter will indicate, scientific method is quite stringent and demands that researchers adhere as strictly as possible to its basic principles.

A key element in scientific method is planning. When sociologists wish to learn more about human behavior, they do not simply walk out the door, or pick up the telephone, and begin asking questions. Scientific method demands precise preparation in developing useful research. If in­vestigators are not careful, research data that they collect may prove to be unacceptable for purposes of sociological study.

There are five basic steps in scientific method that sociologists and other researchers follow. These are (1) defining the problem, (2) review-

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SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Homelessness has become a growing problem in the United Stales. Shown are a homeless woman in New York City; a homeless man in Washington, D.C.; and members of a homeless family living in a "tent city."

PART ONE ♦ THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

ing the literature, (3) formulating the hypothesis, (4) selecting the research design and then collect­ing and analyzing data, and (5) developing the conclusion. An actual example will illustrate the workings of scientific method.

In the 1980s, people in the United States be­came increasingly aware of the plight of the homeless in the nation's urban centers. In the past, the homeless were primarily older white males living as alcoholics in "skid row" areas. However, today's homeless persons tend to be younger and include growing numbers of fami­lies without any shelter. How might sociologists use scientific method to study homeless residents of American cities? How might they move from the broad social issue of homelessness to a re-searchable problem?

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