Research tool. sociometric technique

1. RESEARCH TOOL :RESEARCH TOOL :
SOCIOMETRICSOCIOMETRIC
TECHNIQUESTECHNIQUES
Mukut HazarikaMukut Hazarika
ProfessorProfessor
Department of EducationDepartment of Education
Dibrugarh UniversityDibrugarh University

2. Sociometric Technique:Sociometric Technique:
Definition:Definition:
The term sociometry is defined as theThe term sociometry is defined as the
measurement of the social relationshipsmeasurement of the social relationships
that exists among the members of athat exists among the members of a
group. Sociometric technique attempt togroup. Sociometric technique attempt to
describe attractions or repulsions betweendescribe attractions or repulsions between
group members by asking them to indicategroup members by asking them to indicate
whom they would select or reject inwhom they would select or reject in
various situations (Koul, 1998).various situations (Koul, 1998).

3. Uses of SociometricUses of Sociometric
Techniques:Techniques:
It is used to study:It is used to study:
• Social adjustmentSocial adjustment
• Group dynamicsGroup dynamics
• LearningLearning
• MotivationMotivation
• DisciplineDiscipline

4. Different Sociometric TechniquesDifferent Sociometric Techniques
are:are:
• SociogramSociogram
• Socimetric MatricesSocimetric Matrices
• Guess-Who TechniqueGuess-Who Technique
• Social Distance scaleSocial Distance scale

5. Sociogram:Sociogram:
Sociogram is a diagrammatic representation ofSociogram is a diagrammatic representation of
the group’s relationships. It is used to study thethe group’s relationships. It is used to study the
interpersonal relationships of groups.interpersonal relationships of groups.
Steps followed in construction ofSteps followed in construction of
Sociogram:Sociogram:
• Researcher begins with a question such asResearcher begins with a question such as
“With whom would you like to work on a small“With whom would you like to work on a small
group project ? Give your first, second and thirdgroup project ? Give your first, second and third
choice.”choice.”
• Each member of the group is provided with aEach member of the group is provided with a
form on which he/she can write the names of theform on which he/she can write the names of the
members he/she has chosen.members he/she has chosen.

6. • The group members are assured that theThe group members are assured that the
information given by them will be held strictinformation given by them will be held strict
confidence.confidence.
• The boys and girls in the group are usuallyThe boys and girls in the group are usually
represented by different symbols.represented by different symbols.
• A choice may be represented by a singleA choice may be represented by a single
pointed arrow , a mutual choice by anpointed arrow , a mutual choice by an
arrow pointing in opposite direction andarrow pointing in opposite direction and
rejection may be represented by dottedrejection may be represented by dotted
line.line.

7. • The members who are chosen most oftenThe members who are chosen most often
are referred to as ‘stars’, those not chosenare referred to as ‘stars’, those not chosen
by others as ‘isolates’. Small groups madeby others as ‘isolates’. Small groups made
of members who choose one another areof members who choose one another are
‘cliques’.‘cliques’.
• The choices made by the group membersThe choices made by the group members
are then tabulated.are then tabulated.

8. Procedure for Construction ofProcedure for Construction of
Sociogram:Sociogram:
• Place the name of the stars in the centrePlace the name of the stars in the centre
of the sociogram.of the sociogram.
• Use different symbols to denote boysUse different symbols to denote boys
(triangles) and girls (circles).(triangles) and girls (circles).
• Place the names of those receiving thePlace the names of those receiving the
next highest scores near the names in thenext highest scores near the names in the
centre but far enough to permit thecentre but far enough to permit the
drawing of lines connecting triangles anddrawing of lines connecting triangles and
circles.circles.

9. • Place the isolates and the seldom chosenPlace the isolates and the seldom chosen
individuals around the outer area ofindividuals around the outer area of
sociogram.sociogram.
• Use lines to indicate choices and arrowUse lines to indicate choices and arrow
heads to show direction of choice. A solidheads to show direction of choice. A solid
line might be used for a first choice, aline might be used for a first choice, a
broken line for second choice and a dot-broken line for second choice and a dot-
dash line for third choice. Sometimesdash line for third choice. Sometimes
different colours are also used for first,different colours are also used for first,
second and third choice.second and third choice.

10. INTERPRETATION of SOCIOGRAM:INTERPRETATION of SOCIOGRAM:
• The sociogram is interpreted by noting itsThe sociogram is interpreted by noting its
general shape and pattern.general shape and pattern.
• If the lines indicating choices show that a fewIf the lines indicating choices show that a few
individuals have chosen each other but seldomindividuals have chosen each other but seldom
any one else, a clique is indicated. Theseany one else, a clique is indicated. These
cliques indicate lack of cooperation.cliques indicate lack of cooperation.
• When a segment of the group is completely cutWhen a segment of the group is completely cut
of from the rest of the group, there is evidence ofof from the rest of the group, there is evidence of
a cleavage or social split in the group.a cleavage or social split in the group.
• Long lines with much over-lapping of choice andLong lines with much over-lapping of choice and
many individuals choosing each other indicate amany individuals choosing each other indicate a
well-integrated group. It means that the groupwell-integrated group. It means that the group
has good leadership, cooperation and grouphas good leadership, cooperation and group
spirit.spirit.

11. Sociometric MatricesSociometric Matrices
• A Sociometric matrix is a rectangularA Sociometric matrix is a rectangular
arrangement of numbers indicating the choicesarrangement of numbers indicating the choices
made by the members of a group.made by the members of a group.
Steps followed:Steps followed:
• Researcher begins with a question such as “WithResearcher begins with a question such as “With
whom would you like to work on a group project?whom would you like to work on a group project?
Choose two mates.”Choose two mates.”
• A matrix is formed.A matrix is formed.
• The numeral ‘1’ is used to indicate a choice andThe numeral ‘1’ is used to indicate a choice and
‘0’ is used to indicate no choice.‘0’ is used to indicate no choice.

12. • Add the choices in each column.Add the choices in each column.
• The sum total of each column indicates theThe sum total of each column indicates the
extent to which any group member chosenextent to which any group member chosen
by others in the group.by others in the group.
• The members who are chosen most, areThe members who are chosen most, are
referred as ‘stars’.referred as ‘stars’.
• The member who is not chosen at all, isThe member who is not chosen at all, is
termed as ‘isolate’.termed as ‘isolate’.

13. • Various sociometric indices can beVarious sociometric indices can be
computed from the sociometric data. Thecomputed from the sociometric data. The
choice status is a type of sociometricchoice status is a type of sociometric
index. The choice status is the measure ofindex. The choice status is the measure of
the extent to which a member is chosenthe extent to which a member is chosen
by the group.by the group.
CS= The choice of status of the individual.CS= The choice of status of the individual.
c= The sum of the choices in the subjectc= The sum of the choices in the subject
column.column.
N=The number of individuals in the group.N=The number of individuals in the group.

14. • Social Expansiveness is a type ofSocial Expansiveness is a type of
sociometric index. It indicates the extent tosociometric index. It indicates the extent to
which the group members tend to choosewhich the group members tend to choose
others.others.
E= (sum of Cij)/ NE= (sum of Cij)/ N
E- index of expansivenessE- index of expansiveness
Cij- all the choices made by all groupCij- all the choices made by all group
membersmembers
N- the number of individuals in the groupN- the number of individuals in the group

15. Guess-who Techniques:Guess-who Techniques:
• The guess-who technique was developed byThe guess-who technique was developed by
Hartshorne and May (1929).Hartshorne and May (1929).
• In this technique a student is asked to read eachIn this technique a student is asked to read each
descriptive statement and then write down thedescriptive statement and then write down the
name of the student who best fits thatname of the student who best fits that
description.description.
• The student may write more than one nameThe student may write more than one name
against each statement and allowed to write hisagainst each statement and allowed to write his
own name.own name.