SOC 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Symbolic Interactionism, Participant Observation, Gender Role

• School: Ball State University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 100
• Professor: holtzman

Document Summary

Survey data and experimental data are usually analyzed using quantitative methods. Gathered information is transformed into numerical values and analyzed with computer software packages. Statistically signi cant values are those that tell us something meaningful about the relationship between the iv and dv. Participant observation data and existing documents data are usually analyzed using qualitative methods. Rather than transforming data into numbers, words and phrases are analyzed for subjective meaning and considered within context. Ethical decisions must be made throughout the research process. People should participate voluntarily, understand what they are involved with, and suffer no long term effects as a result of the research study. Humans have the capacity to recognize and interpret the meanings behind symbols. We don"t react instinctually to one another; rather we interpret what other people do based on the symbols they display in interactions. 2 key elements = symbols and interactions. People create shared understandings about the world.