Reference no: EM133429919

Source: Mean Girls Movie.

Now that you know the theory behind different research methods in the social sciences, you are going to conduct your first research project in sociology. You will be using the observational research method to investigate the different social characteristics of a group.

For this research project, we are watching the film Mean Girls (2004), starring Lindsay Lohan, as a class to practise structured observation. If you need to review this research method, go back to review our slides (Slidedeck 2). In this research project, you will observe high school social groups or cliques in their natural environment and note the characteristics, values, and status of the social groups in the film.

This film does an excellent job of highlighting different social groups in high school. Some are exaggerated, but, for this activity, it is an excellent practice.

Mean Girls Graphic Organizer

Here are some questions that you can apply to any group, and that will help you refine your observation skills and find answers during your research. Read the two questions before the film, and see if you can answer them in point form notes on this organizer as you watch.

What are the characteristics that members of the group have in common and that shape the identity of that particular group? What are the values of the group? In terms of the status of the group, how do they "rank" in the social order of high school?

When you look at how one group relates to another group, would you say that they maintain good relationships or not?