Final answer:
A researcher investigating the reason behind an increase in burglaries would design an explanatory study to identify and analyze the relationships between variables related to the increase. Option a is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a researcher wants to know why there was a noticeable increase in the number of burglaries in their state during 2020, the researcher would design an explanatory study. The goal of an explanatory study is to elucidate the reasons behind a phenomenon by discovering and analyzing the relationships between variables. This is distinct from a descriptive study, which would involve detailing the phenomenon itself, or an exploratory study, which seeks to investigate a topic more to generate hypotheses rather than to explain them.
When planning an explanatory study, researchers formulate a hypothesis. For instance, in the context of crime, a hypothesis might predict a relationship between unemployment and crime rates with an "if, then" statement such as, "If unemployment increases, then the crime rate will likely increase."
Sociologists consider the operational definitions and research designs very carefully to understand how these factors impact the results. Then they proceed to gather data through various methods including surveys, observational studies, secondary data analysis from existing records, or other sociological research techniques. After the data collection phase, researchers analyze the data, often employing statistical techniques, to test their hypotheses and report their findings.
When addressing a complex issue such as an increase in crime rates, it is crucial to gather empirical evidence through careful research and statistical analysis. This methodical approach allows sociologists to understand the underlying causes of social phenomena and helps to produce findings that are significant and actionable.