Социология: 4М. № 38

Sociology: methodology, methods, mathematical modeling

No. 38, 2014

Contents

Practices of formalized data collection and analysis

Kuzmina Y.V. Regression Discontinuity Design Method and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) in One Year of Schooling Effect Evaluation: An Experience of Applying to PISA 2009

Data This paper reports the findings of an analysis of the effect of one year of schooling on math performance for 15-year-olds in ten different countries. The analysis was done on PISA 2009 data by applying two quasi-experimental methods – instrumental variable analysis (IV analysis) within fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD) framework and Propensity Score Matching (PSM). We find that a year of schooling has positive impact on achievement in all countries except Albania. The advantages and restrictions of applying both methods are discussed

Keywords: treatment effect, quasi-experimental methods, regression discontinuity design, instrumental variable, propensity score matching, the effect of one year’s of schooling, sensitivity analysis, PISA

Unformalized data: collection and analysis methods

Steinberg I.E. A Logical Scheme to Justify the Sample in Qualitative Interview: An “8-Window Sample Model”

A logical scheme to justify the size and content of the sample in qualitative research is proposed. Axial characteristics for sample design are defined: expertness (discourse competence) and typicality. An original method for designing a qualitative research sample is demonstrated by giving examples from the field practice, including ways of sample correction with the use of research interview. It is noted that a group process of building a “8-window sample model” supports the methodological reflection of the researcher. The dependency between the quality and content of the key research question and the size and quality of the sample is demonstrated. Different theoretical and empirical approaches to the justification of the optimal sample size in qualitative research are considered

Keywords: sampling in qualitative sociological research, sample size in qualitative research, logical schema of sampling design, methodological reflection, discursive competence

Online research methods

Mavletova A.M., Maloshonok N.G., Terentyev E.A. The Influence of Invitation’s Elements on the Web Survey Response Rates

We analyze the influence of the different elements of the electronic invitation on the response rate in online surveys. We conducted experiments to test the influence of seven factors: the presence of a personal salutation; an indication of the importance of participation in the survey of certain groups; an indication that the respondent was selected to answer a specific set of questions; the possibility of obtaining the survey results; the invitation initiator; the invitation subject; presence of changes in the text of the reminders. Experiments were carried in surveys of applicants, students and graduates of the three Russian universities. The most significant factor was the invitation initiator status. Invitation to participate in the survey on behalf of the Dean doubled the response rates compared with the invitation on behalf of the Research Center. The influence of other factors was either not so unequivocal, or statistically insignificant. In some groups it was found that the response rate was positively influenced by such factors as a personal salutation by name and patronymic, as well as an indication on the special selection

Keywords: online surveys, the invitation to the survey, response rate, non-response

Kolozaridi P.V. Video Interview by Means of Online Applications: A Methodological Experience

Conducting online interview via video applications is becoming a widespread interview mode. Such programs as Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. may be useful for interviews with people from different countries. The problem is whether two interview modes: technically mediated and face-to-face, can be used as equal in the same research. We suggest an analysis for all the types of technically-mediated interviews in order to suggest the criteria of similarity using comparative cases. The empirical research reveals the differences that may be detected in interviewing process and helps to decide whether they influence the results. The article discusses some potentially distorting circumstances and suggests how to avoid them.

Keywords: interviewing, online-interview, qualitative online methods

Methodological experiments

Gavrilov K.A. “Worldviews scale”: its potential and limitations

The paper analyzes the method of identifying the worldviews of individuals: its theoretical foundations dating back to the works by M.Douglas (describing four types of cultures – individualistic, hierarchical, egalitarian and fatalistic) and its empirical implementation proposed by S.Rippl. Test-retest reliability of the method and its internal consistency are evaluated with the data from an online-survey. Evaluation of the construct validity of this method is based on the empirical study examining the value of human life. It is shown that a particular type of respondent’s worldview (that is operationalized using a set of normative judgments on various topics – work, family, values, etc.) has a weak effect upon the value that the respondent attributes to the human life. Few cases of the revealed worldview’s influence on judgment (under certain circumstances members of hierarchy evaluate human life higher than individualists and egalitarians are characterized by the highest propensity to save people whose lives are threatened) suggest a low construct validity of the method.

Keywords: worldviews, culture, value of life, the social context, risk, online research

Analytical reviews

Lytkina E.I. Operationalization of the Concept of “Anomie” in Empirical Research: an Analytical Review

We analyze four most famous scales that are used to study anomie or that include indicators of anomie: L. Srole, H. McClosky & J. Schaar, D. Dean and R. Middleton scales. Comparison of these scales is based on the following criteria: the theoretical constructs used, the set of indicators used, the methodology of the study, the issues of reliability and validity and the empirical results. It is shown that the least suitable for the measurement of anomie is a scale developed by L. Srole, the largest number of indicators of anomie is included in scales of Dean and McClosky & Schaar. The author proposes to speak not of scales that measure “anomie”, but of separate indicators of anomie.

Keywords: anomie, operationalization, the scale for measuring anomie