REsearch Methods - Short Paper Option 4

Cooper: Research Methods

Short Paper Option 4: (Remember, you must do one of the three short paper assignments

during the semester.)

Due: Tuesday, April 21

Approximate Length: 3 typed, doubled-spaced pages

For this paper, I want you do a content analysis where you analyze gender, class, or racially based differences in two different media forms from the same genre. For instance, you could analyze the differences between 1) men and women’s magazines 2) an upper middle class sitcom versus a working-class sitcom or 3) a singer/band that appeals to White individuals versus one that appeals to non-White individuals.

For this assignment, you may decide to analyze 1) the advertisements in the media form, 2) the content of the media form you are analyzing or 3) both the advertisements and the content. Regardless of which media form you decide to study, be sure to use an appropriate sample. For instance, if you are going to analyze the differences between male and female magazines, make sure that you choose magazines that can accurately be called “male magazines” and “female magazines”.

The paper should follow the following guidelines:

1) Briefly describe the two media forms you have chosen (Approx 1/4 – 1/3 page).

2) Discuss and analyze the differences between the two media forms. Be as specific as possible! For instance, depending on the kind of content analysis you choose, you should address questions such as: how many ads were featured, what are the differences in the kind of songs the artists play, what are the differences in the ways working-class characters are portrayed versus those of upper middle-class characters. (2 – 2 ½ pages)

3) Were your findings what you expected? Why or why not? (1/2 page)

Be sure to come see me or e-mail me if you have any questions about the assignment.

Research Methods - Short Paper Option 3

Cooper: Research Methods

Short Paper Option 3: (Remember, you must do one of the three short paper assignments

during the semester.)

Due: Thursday, April 16

Approximate Length: 3 typed, doubled-spaced pages (and put the actual survey you used

For this paper, I want you to carefully edit the survey we prepared in class. Be sure to follow the guidelines (avoid ambiguity, make sure the answers are exhaustive and mutually exclusive, etc.) that we discussed in class (also see Chambliss and Schutt – pages 138 – 145). The final version should contain between 12 and 15 questions. Then put the survey on zoomerang (be sure to open up a free account). Then be sure to e-mail (or contact through facebook, myspace, etc.) enough Farmingdale students so that you can get at least 20 responses to your questionnaire. Be sure to remind people that it is a short survey when you ask them to fill it out.

The paper should follow the following guidelines:

1. Briefly explain what you are doing and what you hope to accomplish by distributing this survey. (Approximately 1/3 - ½ page)

2. Summarize your findings. Be as specific as possible! For instance, what kind of things did respondents want to see in the student center? How many hours, on average, do students spend on campus? How often do they eat lunch on campus? Would students be more likely to join clubs if the club rooms were in the new student center? (Approximately 1 – 2 pages)

3. Given your findings, what recommendations would you make to Dr. Keen and others involved in creating the student center? Again, be as specific as possible when you are arguing about what the student center should look like? (Approximately ½ - 1 page.)

4. Given the answers you got, what changes would you make to the survey to improve the information you collect from respondents? (Approximately 1/3 – ½ pages)

Research Methods - Quiz 4 Outline

Outline: Survey Design/Content and Reception Analysis

- What are the advantages of conducting surveys?

- What are the four methods for administering surveying questionnaires?

- What are the advantages of having questionnaire administered by interviewer?

- What is the biggest drawback to mailed questionnaires?

- What are the advantages of conducting telephone surveys?

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of electronic (e-mail and web) surveys?

- What are the relative advantages of 1) closed questions and 2) open-ended questions?

- What are the key guidelines for writing survey questions?

- What is a double-barreled question?

- What is a “push-poll” survey?

- What is the fundamental purpose of content analysis?

- What are Gerbner’s major findings about violence on television?

- What is the meant by “narrative analysis”?

- According to Snitow, what are the key elements of the typical romance novel?

- What are the common conventions of the typical pornographic movie?

- What are the weaknesses of narrative analysis?

- According to Gerbner, what are the “cultivation” effects due to television violence?

- What are Jenkins’ criticisms of “media effects” research?

- According to Jenkins, what are the reasons for the appeal of violent entertainment to teens?

- What is meant by the term polysemy?

- What were Vidmar and Rokeach’s key findings about All in the Family viewers?

Readings: Chambliss and Schutt: Chapter 6, Chapter 8 (pps. 213-216)

Gerbner (pps. 339-348); Jenkins (pps. 385-395); Vidmar and Rokeach (pps. 36-47)

Introduction to Sociology - Paper Option 2

Paper Option 2: Introduction to Sociology:

Due: Thursday, April 16

Approximate Length: 4 - 5 pages Typed and Double Spaced

As you can see from many of the readings this semester, sociologists are very interested in the attitudes and behaviors of individuals. Consequently, they often spend a good deal of time talking to the subjects of their study. For this paper, you get to be a sociologist and test the arguments made by Putnam (in Ryan’s article “My Way”)

In order to carry out this task, I want you to interview at least 8 people eighteen years or older. At least four of them must be older than 40. Also, I would like it if you got at least two women and at least two men in your sample.

Once they agree to be a part of your study, you need to ask them the following questions.

1) How many civic organizations do you belong to? (Make sure they know this includes groups like

the Lions Clubs, the PTA, the volunteer fire department, as well as bowling leagues.)

2) Are you more or less likely than your parents to belong to civic organizations?

3) Do you attend religious services on a regular basis (i.e. on a weekly basis)?

4) Are you more or less likely to attend religious services than your parents?

5) Please give me your definition of a good citizen.

6) Do you believe that the majority of Americans are good citizens?

7) Do you believe that the majority of people that live in your neighborhood are good citizens?

8) In your opinion, are Americans as good citizens as they were 40 years ago?

9) In general, do you trust Americans to do the “right thing” most of the time?

10) In general, do you trust government and business leaders to do the “right thing” most of the time?

FOR THE ACTUAL PAPER: You Must Do The Following:

1) Briefly describe what Putnam (see the Ryan reading) means by a civil society. (1/3 – ½ page)

2) Briefly describe each of the interviewees (age, gender, marital status). (1/3 – ½ page)

3) Provide a detailed summary of the answers your respondents gave you. (2- 2 1/2 pages)

Specifically, you should say how many of your interviewees belong to a civic organization, how your interviewees defined a good citizen, etc. In addition to summarizing your findings, you should also discuss whether or not there were differences with respect to the race, class, gender, age, ethnicity, and religion of your respondents. For instance, were older people more likely to attend religious services on a regular basis?

4) Conclusion: Do your findings contradict or confirm Putnam’s findings about civic engagement among Americans? Were you surprised by the findings? In what ways? Explain. Given the Ryan reading, the answers of your interviewees, and your own impressions, was America a better society to live in 40-50 years ago? In particular, do you think people were better citizens back then? (1 - 2 pages)

Multiculturalism - Paper Assignment

Spring 2009: Multiculturalism Paper Assignment

Due in Class: Monday April 27, 2008

Paper Option 1: Approximate Length 5-7 pages (Typed and Double spaced)

For this option, I want you to describe the culture you grew up in. You may talk about the culture of your particular neighborhood, the town you grew up in, or even the culture of Long Island (or Brooklyn, Queens, etc). If you lived in more than one culture, you may choose any particular culture as long as you lived there for more than 2 years. In your essay, be sure to address at least 4 of the following 5 questions: 1) What were the dominant norms, customs, values, attitudes, etc. in the culture? More broadly speaking, what were the people like? 2) Was it a diverse culture? In what specific ways (class, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) was it a diverse culture? What kinds of diversity did it lack? 3) What did you like and dislike about the culture? Try to provide at least a few specific examples. 4) Did the culture change at all while you were living there? In what ways? 5) What do you think the culture you grew up in will look like in 25 years?

In your paper, be sure to focus on the culture that you grew up in: While you may certainly discuss what your family life was like, you should devote the vast majority of your paper to the larger culture (i.e. neighborhood, town, etc.) you grew up in. (See McDonald’s reading “Ghetto Heaven” for an example of the kind of writing I’m looking for.)

Paper Option 2: Approximate Length 4-6 pages (Typed and Double spaced)

The United States is a much different society in 2009 than it was 25 years ago and will undoubtedly change considerably over the next 25 years. What do you think American culture will look like in 2034? In your answer, be sure to address at least three of the following four questions. 1) Will the U.S. become more tolerant of ethnic and, especially, racial differences? In particular, will a person’s skin color still be as significant part of our identity? 2) Will there be greater differences between the different class cultures? Likewise, will there be greater differences between individuals from different classes? 3) Will there be any changes to gay and lesbian culture? In particular, will there still be distinctive gay and lesbian cultures? (You may also choose to address the future of “down-low” cultures.) 4) What is the future of religious communities like the ones in the Ault, Wakin, and Chafets readings? (This section should be approximately 3 - 4 pages)

What specific proposals would you advocate now in order to make American society in 2034 a more harmonious place for everyone? Again, you must cite at least one reading in your answer (even if you disagree with the author). Defend your answer. (Approximately 1 – 2 pages)

If you have a different idea for a paper you would like to write, you must come see me by Wednesday, April 1.

Multiculturalism - Religious and Gay Cultures Outline

RELIGIOUS CULTURES/GAY CULTURES

- What are the three key beliefs of evangelicals?

- Which social issues have most concerned the Religious Right over the last 30 years?

- What are the major successes and setbacks for the Religious Right Movement over the last 10-15 years?

- How does Ault characterize the Shawmut River Baptist Church community?

- What are the key functions served by the Shawmut River Baptist Church (and places like it)?

- What does Wakin cite as the key functions of the African churches he discusses in article 6?

- According to Ash, what are the broader sources of the difficulties with respect to Europe and its Muslim population?

- According to Ash (and Buruma) what are the problems faced by many of the Muslim “Inbetween People”, especially younger individuals, in European societies?

- What are Ash’s suggestions for improving the relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in

European societies?

- When does the Stonewall Rebellion occur? What is its significance?

- What are the key elements of the 1970s Gay Movement?

- How does Nardi characterize the patterns of friendships and romantic relationships within gay male culture?

- How does Rose characterize the patterns of friendships and romantic relationships within lesbian culture?

- How does Denizet-Lewis describe “Down Low” culture?

- According to Denizet-Lewis, what are the reasons for the existence of the “Down Low” culture?

- What do critics regard as the negative consequences of the existence of “Down Low” culture?

Quiz 5: Essay Questions

1. How does Ault describe the culture of the Shawmut River Baptist Church Community? What are the key functions the church serves for its members? Likewise, what functions do the African churches described by Wakin (reading 6) serve for their congregants? Do you think it is possible to create more non-religious communities like the ones described above? Would they be a good thing for American society? Discuss.

2. Discuss the key elements of the 1970s Gay Movement. How does Nardi characterize the patterns of friendship and romantic relationships among gay men? Likewise, how does Rose characterize the patterns of friendship and romantic relationships among lesbians? In your opinion, would the legalization of gay marriage lead to significant changes in gay culture? (Feel free to talk about either or both gay men and lesbian women when discussing gay culture.) Explain.

3. What does Ash regard as the larger sources of the tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in many European countries? According to Ash (and Buruma), what kind of problems are faced by many Muslim “Inbetween People”, especially younger European Muslims? What does Ash recommend as a means of improving the situation? Do you think his suggestions would significantly help reduce tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in European countries? Or do you agree with Hirsi Ali’s belief that it is impossible for a secular European culture and a Muslim culture to peacefully coexist? Elaborate.

Responsible for: Kromkowski: Articles 5, 6

Chafets: (pps. 82-88); Ash: (pps. 1-12); Nardi: (pps. 402-405);

Denizet-Lewis: (pps. 28-33, 48, 52, 53); Kotlowitz: (pps. 30-37, 52, 57)

Research Methods - Final Project Assignment

RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCES: SOC 310

RESEARCH PROJECT

- For this project, you must complete your own research project. The four main options for projects are as follows.

1) Observation/Experiment in Public Space (something similar to the first paper

assignment)

2) Content Analysis (of books, magazines, television shows, films, websites, etc).

3) Design and distribute survey and then analyze findings.

4) Analyze existing data (There are numerous different types of studies you could do such

as analyzing sales of different video games, trends in popular music, crime rates, etc.)

(If you have another idea for a paper, you must come see me no later than Tuesday, April

14.)

You cannot simply repeat what you did in one of your short paper projects, but you may do something similar. For instance, you could study a public place like gyms or retail store rather than a coffeehouse or bar. Likewise, you could choose to study a social networking website (or one like secondlife.com) rather than a dating site.

- The Paper

- The paper should be approximately 4-5 pages in length and all papers should have the

following:

1) Describe the research project – try to be as specific as possible about what you plan to

do.

2) Present your hypothesis. In particular, a)What do you expect to find? b) Why do you

expect these particular results. (If possible, you should try to find one reading about a

similar study and cite the findings.)

3) Describe what you did in your project.

4) Present your findings.

5) Interpretation and Conclusion (Did your findings your confirm your hypothesis? What

was particularly surprising about your findings? Were there any flaws with your study

in terms of validity, reliability, etc.?)

(See Other Side)

THE PRESENTATION

- The following class days will be reserved for presentations: 1) Thursday, April 30; 2) Tuesday, May 5; and 3) Thurs, May 7. If, for some reason, we need extra time, a couple of presentations will be scheduled for Tuesday, May 12. A week prior to the presentations, we will (randomly, of course) determine which person/group will go on which days. If you absolutely cannot be there for one of those classes, you must let me know ahead of time.

In order to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to present their findings, individual presentations should be no longer than 12 minutes. I will give people appropriate warnings when you approach the time limit. Hence it is important to rehearse your presentation beforehand to ensure that you do not go exceed 12 minutes. (Trust me, 12 minutes goes a lot faster than you think.) You will also be responsible for answering questions about your project. The presentation should generally follow the format of the paper, though you may choose to alter the order slightly.

Grading

1) A 1-2 paragraph proposal of what you plan to do is due on Tuesday, March 31. This is worth 5 points.

2) The full paper is worth 45 points and is due on Tuesday, May 12 by Noon. For every day late, I will deduct 3 points.

3) The presentation is worth 30 points

4) Your attendance, participation, and citizenship on those days, especially your attendance, will be given extra weight with respect to your semester’s attendance/participation/citizenship grade.

Also, I am trying to secure a multi-media room for the days when we do presentations so students can present their material with visuals. However, I can’t, at this juncture, guarantee that you will be able to use powerpoint or other computer visuals.

Research Methods - Short Paper Option 2

Cooper: Research Methods

Short Paper Option 2: (Remember, you must do one of the three short paper assignments

during the semester.)

Due: Tuesday, April 14

Approximate Length: 3 typed, doubled-spaced pages

For this paper, you must do the following:

1. Briefly summarize the findings and main arguments of the Hortacsu, Hitsch, and Ariely study cited in the handout from Freakonomics). (Approx. 3/4 page)

2. Go to a dating website such as Yahoo Personals, Match.com, Date.com, etc that appeals to a broad audience, rather than a website that appeals to a particular group. (Also, please do not spend money doing this: only join/search the site if it is free to do so.) Randomly choose 20 male and 20 female user/profiles between the ages of 26 and 35. Choose three variables (height, body type, political views, etc.) that you can find on both male and female user profiles and write down the results for each of your profiles. Then do the following:

a) Explain your method for randomly choosing the profiles. b) Summarize your findings. For example: What was the average height of the males and females in your sample? What percent of males/female said their body type was fit, etc? c) Did your findings represent a normal distribution of scores? Were there any interesting outliers? Also, it is okay if some profiles/users did not answer a given question. Just be sure to note how many people did this when you summarize your findings. (Approx. 3/4 – 1 1/4 pages)

3. Would you say that your sample is representative of a) single dating website users between 26 and 35? b) What about all single internet users between 26 and 35? In other words, would you say you were able to get a random sample of a) the population of single dating website users between 26 and 35 and b) the population of single internet users between 26 and 35? Why or why not? In general, how honest do you think people are on these dating sites, especially with respect to the variables you have chosen? Be sure to cite your findings, as well as Hortascu, Hirsch, and Ariely’s, to answer this question. (Approx. 1 – 1 1/4 page)

Intro to Sociology - Test 3 Outlines and Essay Questions

RACE

- What does it mean to call race a social construct?

- According to functionalists, what are the negative consequences of racial discrimination?

- What is the symbolic interactionist perspective on race?

- What does Steele mean by the term “stereotype vulnerability”?

- With respect to race, what are the two primary types of conflict theorists?

- How do Asian, Black, Latino and White rank with respect to median household income in 2005?

- What has been the trend in the racial gap (between Blacks and Whites) in income since 1973?

- What was the median wealth of Blacks in 2002? Of Latinos? Of Whites?

- According to conflict theorists, what are the main explanations for Black-White economic inequalities?

- According to Massey and Denton, what are the reasons for the high levels of racial segregation in the U.S.?

- What do Massey and Denton cite as the consequences of racial segregation?

- What does Lind mean when he says that American society is becoming “Beige and Black”? What are the explanations for this development?

- What 2 groups have experienced the greatest increase in immigration to the U.S. over the last 30 years?

- What is the difference between assimilation and pluralism?

Outline: Class and Religion

- What is the structural functionalist view of class inequality?

- What is the conflict view of class inequality?

- According to the conflict theorist Marx:

1) What is a person's class status based on?

2) How many classes are there?

- What are the 3 basic determinants of a person's class position today?

- What happens to class-based income inequalities from 1946 to 1973? What happens to class-based income inequalities from 1973 through 2007?

- Which particular income group has seen its income increase the most since 1979?

- Approximately, what percentage of total wealth is held by the top 1%? Approximately, what

percentage of total income goes to the top 1%?

- What do conflict theorists cite as the main reasons for the increase in class based economic inequality over the last 30 years?

- What are generally recognized as the key aspects of an upper-class upbringing?

- According to Veblen, why did the upper class engage in “conspicuous consumption” in the early 1900s?

- What are Steinhauer’s main arguments about social status and contemporary “consumer culture?

- What does de Botton mean when he talks about “status anxiety”?

- According to Gans, what functions do the poor serve for the nonpoor?

- According to functionalists, what are the positive and negative functions of religion?

- What is the Marxist/Enlightenment critique of religion?

- How does the participation of Americans in religious activities compare to Europeans?

- What are the views about how to achieve a “good society” of 1) Religious Conservatives 2) Libertarians and 3) Communitarians?

- What does Durkheim mean by the term “conscience collective”? What are the positive functions of the “conscience collective”?

- What does Putnam mean by the term “civic engagement”? What has happened to civic engagement in the U.S. since the early 1960s?

- According to Putnam, what are the negative aspects of the decline of civil society?

ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR 3rd TEST

1. Explain both the functionalist and symbolic interactionist perspective on race. What are Steele’s arguments about “stereotype vulnerability”? Be sure to talk specifically about his research findings discussed in Watters’ article. Briefly describe the nature of the experiment(s) conducted by Jane Elliott in the video A Class Divided. Do you think she would get the same findings if she conducted her experiment today? Moreover, do you think that there is still significant “stereotype vulnerability”? Defend your answer.

2. What are the respective views of 1) religious conservatives, 2) libertarians and 3) communitarians when it comes to fostering a “good society”? Briefly describe what Durkheim meant when he talked about the “conscience collective”. According to Putnam (and Ryan), what has happened as a result of the decline of American “civil society”? Do you agree with their arguments? In your opinion, is there anything that can be done to increase the level of civic engagement in American communities? Explain.

3. Compare the structural functionalist and conflict theorist’s views about class inequality. Summarize both Veblen and Steinhauer’s assertions about status and consumption as well as de Botton’s claim about status anxiety. Be sure to include an example from Steinhauer’s article in your answer. In your opinion, is there a significant amount of conspicuous consumption (and status anxiety) in contemporary America? Does it exist in all classes? Explain.

Responsible for: Schaefer: Chapter 5 (pages 124-144); Chapter 6 (pages 159-180);

Chapter 8 (pages 203- 208, 215-219)

Watters: (pp. 47-49); Lind (pp. 38-39); Steinhauer (pps. 1-6); Traub: (pp. 21-22);

Ryan: (pp. 47-50)