Summary
In this lesson, students will explore different research methods used by sociologists. Students will work in groups to analyze different readings and summarize what they have read. To extend their learning students will create visual representations of the research methods to display across the classroom.
Essential Question(s)
How do sociologists gather data and conduct research?
Snapshot
Engage
Students participate in a brief discussion by responding to a prompt.
Explore
Students will sort cards to identify their knowledge of sociological research methods.
Explain
Students will jigsaw readings over the different types of sociological research methods.
Extend
Students will work in groups to create an Anchor Chart.
Evaluate
Students will participate in a Gallery Walk.
Materials
Observe and Report Lesson Slides
Research Method Card Sort (one per group)
Card Sort Answer Key
Jigsaw Reading Packet (class set)
Jigsaw Reading Organizer (one per student)
Poster Paper (one per group)
Craft Supplies
Engage
5 Minute(s)
Slide 2 includes the lesson title for you to share as needed. Begin by displaying slide 3 with the following question:
“How do we know what we know about other groups of people?”
Pose this question to the students and allow some time for them to think of their response.
Once sufficient time has passed, have students share how they come to know or realize certain information about others or groups of people. You can write their responses on the whiteboard or just have them share out.
After students have shared their responses, display slide 4-5 with the essential question/lesson objectives and tell students that today they will be learning about different types of research methods used by scientists.
Explore
15 Minute(s)
Now that students have been introduced to the objectives, explain that in small groups they are going to complete a Card Sort activity using different sociological research methods. Display slide 6 with instructions on how to complete a card sort and divide students into groups as you deem appropriate. Ask students to work together to match the research methods with the scenario they believe is correct.
Once all groups have completed the card sorting activity, call on groups and have them share out one term and why they believe they chose the correct scenario to match.
Please see the attached Card Sort Answer Key for the correct responses to the card sort.
Explain
45 Minute(s)
For the next section students will be participating in Jigsaw reading, they will be reading a page for each research method in the card sort activity. Group students into seven groups. Every group will be responsible for reading over one of the research methods and becoming an expert for it. Slide 7 includes the jigsaw strategy instructions for you to display if needed.
Distribute the Jigsaw Reading Packet and Jigsaw Reading Organizer, every student should have their own copy of each. Once groups have all the materials, designate each group a research method they will be responsible for becoming the expert on. (The readings are numbered through 7 for easier designation). Expert groups will be responsible for reading their assigned section, discussing what should be included in their portion of the chart, and later sharing their findings with a new group.
Once expert groups have completed their portion, give them time within that group to discuss and prepare what they want to share about their research method. Following this regroup students to have new groups representing each research method. Now that the new groups have representatives from each research method they should be working as a group to complete the full graphic organizer. By the end of this step students would have a completed graphic organizer.
Extend
25 Minute(s)
Now that students have a completed graphic organizer with all research methods, students will remain in those same groups and create an Anchor Chart about the seven research methods they just reviewed. Slide 9 includes the anchor chart strategy instructions for you to display.
Invite each group, using their reading packet and information from the graphic organizer to create an anchor chart using a poster paper.
Each anchor chart will include:
The seven research methods
Graphic representations (pictures or drawings that represent the method)
A description/definition of the method
In what context/situation would each research method work best.
Evaluate
10 Minute(s)
Display slide 10. As groups finish their Anchor Charts, have them hang them around the room.
Invite groups to participate in a Gallery Walk to view the work of their classmates. Give each group a pad of sticky notes.
Have each group elect a spokesperson to stand near their Anchor Chart and explain their presentation to visiting classmates. Other group members should rotate to each chart around the room, listen to the presentation, ask questions, and offer suggestions/add anything that is missing on sticky notes to leave on the posters.
The Jigsaw Graphic Organizer and Anchor Chart can both be used as evaluations for this lesson.