Социология: 4М. № 37

Sociology: methodology, methods, mathematical modeling

No. 37, 2013

Contents

Practices of formalized data collection and analysis

Rudnev M.G. Measurement invariance of basic human values assessed with Schwartz instrument among four Russian-speaking populations p. 7-38

Comparability of scores between culturally and socially different indicators is always a problematic issue. It is even more questionable when the scores of latent variables are compared. Latent variables are frequently measured with several indicators, and the structure of indicators may differ between groups, resulting in the scores of the latent variables that may turn to be very different in terms of configuration and scale. This problem was labeled measurement invariance (MI) and became a necessary part of the studies with latent constructs. The lack of MI between groups may lead to biased or wrong conclusions. MI is an issue especially in cross-cultural studies, in which cultural differences as well as translation of questionnaire may evolve differences in latent construct structures. The paper discusses different methods of assessing MI and uses multiple group confirmatory factor analysis to test MI of four Schwartz higher order values among four populations surveyed during 4 and 5th rounds of European Social Survey. Since our interest is the sources and the extent of MI, only samples surveyed in Russian language were selected. The results show only partial scalar invariance that allows for comparison of means across groups. However, full scalar invariance is not achieved due to the differences in translation to Russian between four countries.

Keywords: measurement invariance, confirmatory factor analysis, basic human values

Unformalized data: collection and analysis methods

Oberemko O.A. What questions are answered while an open-ended question is asked? Reconstructing transformations of a question by the answering respondents p. 39-74

Based on the data of a WCIOM’s national survey, the article elaborates a syntactic and semantic analytical procedure to reconstruct a repertoire of the questions, which are matched to the fixed respondents’ answers (i. e. which presumably were actually answered), and to diagnose communicative adequacy of the basic question as it was designed for the questionnaire.

Keywords: question-and-answer communication, open-ended questions, answer-based reconstruction of questions, mass polls

Istomina A.G. An experience of achieving a role with high degree of involvement in a short-term participant observation p.75-103

The article problematizes the methodological assumption that in participant observation achieving a role of high degree of involvement indispensably needs a long-term intensive interaction as a unique condition which allows researcher to become familiar for the observed people while negotiating a primary role as observer. Based on the data of a short-term participant observation over 8 Russian voluntary organizations, it is demonstrated that some roles with high degree of involvement can be achieved in a short-term participant observation, if the observer manages to adapt to the rules and norms of the studied community, and to the general context of the participation. Particularly five facilitating factors are described: 1) the observer’s insider stance, 2) high degree of openness of the observed community for outsiders, 3) performing non-specific functions by the insiders, 4) institutionalization of roles with intensive involvement, available for outsiders, 5) personal characteristics of the observer.

Keywords: participant observation, roles of the field observer, negotiation of the researcher role, degree of involvement, observer as participant, participant as observer, complete participant/observer

Mozzhegorov S.V. The methodological bases of storytelling in context of research of the personal narratives p.104-125

In the article a storytelling method is examined in the context of research of personal narratives. The sociocultural and political contexts of using storytelling are defined and different aspects of its implementation and corresponding analytical opportunities are considered.

Keywords: personal narratives, storytelling, qualitative methods, narrative practice, interaction,

Mathematical modeling

Suschiy S.Ya., Ougolnitsky G.A, Dyachenko V.K. Simulation modeling of the fight against extremism in the Northern Caucasus p. 126-150

A mathematical model of the fight against extremism is built and investigated. The model parameters are identified using statistical data and expert estimates for Dagestan and Chechenia. The model is based on balance relations describing dynamics of the extremist system with consideration of the federal state actions. Computer simulations with the model are made, and some specific conclusions are formulated.

Keywords: balance model, simulation modeling, optimal control, extremism

Analytical reviews

Kosova L.B. How to evaluate inequality: analytical review of approaches to measuring of social stratification p.151-178

In this paper we analyze methods of measuring of social stratification including both “subjective” and “objective” approaches. We mainly focus on widely spread procedures based on professional positions of social actors. Author tends to fill up the gap that exists in Russian literature on research methods. Three big groups of methods are described: occupational prestige scales, socioeconomic indexes (including socioeconomic statuses), and social class typologies. Detailed description of procedures and obtained results are included. The article concludes with recommendations for further investigation to improve research in the area among Russian sociologists.

Keywords: social stratification, methods of measuring of social inequality, “subjective” and “objective” approach, scales of professional prestige, socioeconomic index, socioeconomic status, social class schemes

Bykov A.V. Theoretical and methodological approaches for studying altruism: a review p. 179-207

The article is a review of several main theoretical and methodological approaches for studying altruism which are popular in a range of social and behavioral sciences. I discuss some recent research in the field, both theoretical and empirical, and provide a critical analysis of different methods of studying altruism, such as experiments and behavioral games. The article is structured according to the framework distinguishing kin, reciprocal, and genuine altruism as different concepts and models of explanation, as I emphasize the difficulty of separating methodology from theoretical considerations in this research area. It is also argued that it would be useful for sociology of morality to incorporate some of the discussed methods in order to create an integrative approach for studying human altruism.

Keywords: altruism, morality, sociology of morality, reciprocity, experiments

Results of online research articles contest p.208