Homework: Social Behaviour Research Proposal- Principles of Sociology
Length: 1000 words.
Introduction: Even if you're not a sociologist, you will come across sociological research questions in your career or everyday life. For example, if you're in computer systems or game design, you might need to know how users from different social locations (e.g. age, country/culture) interact with a new program or game. If you're in animation or musical theatre,knowing about historical trends in casting or character design (e.g. in terms of sexuality, gender, gender identity, subculture, etc.) may help you find your own place or voice.In your personal or school life, you might just be a curious observer,and wonder if a social trend you noticed is actually true, or why it might be so. (e.g. Are anime fans at Sheridan more likely to challenge fashion conventions than non-fans? Are women in Toronto bigger tippers than men?).This homework will prepare you for this kind of research and help you think critically about research projects conducted by others that you come across in the media.
Description: You will propose a research topicrelated to social behaviour. Then, using insights from the course, you will describe how you would do the research if you were going to undertake the project. (You are not actually going to conduct the research.)
*Choosing a topic related to social behaviour means that you must investigate something that is relevant to a group of people with something in common such as social location (e.g. gender, race, ability, sexuality, class, national culture, religion, etc.), hobby or lifestyle (e.g. gamers, cosplayers, burners, people with tattoos, people who do yoga, etc.], or some other commonality. You might already have an idea related to your current job, your future career, or your personal interests. If not, see p.3 for brainstorming help.
Report Questions
For your report, answer the following questions in numbered sequence. Answer each question separately with full sentences.
o What is your research topic?(Do not use any of the example topics in this document or from the textbook. Do not use any topics from previous Sheridan sociology classes such as "washing hands after using the bathroom" or "holding the door open for others"). State your topic in one or two sentences.Topic must be sociological and apply to a group of people and/or explore a social trend.
o What is your hypothesis? (State hypothesis in one sentence with only two variables. Should be objectively stated as a prediction of what you would find in your research, not as a suggestion/opinion.)
e.g. ?Men are bigger tippers than women in Toronto.
X Women should tip more.
o What are your dependent and independent variables?
o What is the operational definition for your dependent variable?
o What one or two research method(s)would you use if you had the time and resources to undertake the research? (Choose from: structured interviews, questionnaires, participant observation, qualitative interviews, secondary analysis, written documents and A/V materials,orunobtrusive measures).Make sure that you are able to use your operational definition in at least one of these methods (that's the point of the operational definition). Name each method and then describe how you would use it to show that you understand what the method entails. (e.g. If you want to use participant observation, say how you would conduct the observation and what it would consist of. If you want to use surveys, say which kind and what kinds of questions you would ask. If you want to use secondary analysis, or written documents and A/V materials, which sources/documents/materialswould you use exactly?)
o Describe why you chose this/these research method(s) over the other methods. Use module and textbook material as much as possible and cite your sources when you do*.
o Is what you described in #6 quantitative or qualitative research (or both)? Why do you say that? Describe what defines quantitative vs. qualitative research and how your project is one or the other (or both). Again use module and textbook material as much as possible and cite your sources when you do.
o List anyand allethical issues associated with your project(see textbookp.36-39). How would you make sure to follow ALL ethical guidelines in your research?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
References
Cumming, Sara (2020). Sociology Unlocked. Oxford University Press.
Rukszto, Katarzyna (2020a). "Module 2.2: Introductory Notes". Principlesof Sociology, Fall 2020.