Many sociologists question, whether the sociological approach is an appropriate discipline to undertake when studying society. As society and individuals are continually changing it makes researching our social world much more difficult. Especially when choosing the correct method to utilize if wanting to achieve appropriate results. Although, sociology is viewed as a form of science the research methodologies differ. Nevertheless, when studying about society, sociology is seen as effective, however, various scientific methods may be used to organize the research and gain the most accurate results. A sociologist 's main interest is to observe and explain society, therefore the research procedure is key and must be taken seriously. Meaning, …show more content…
The research topic must not be too narrow nor too broad, as this will limit the area of study for the sociologist. However, when taking the sociological approach “sociologists do not rule out any topic” when formulating the research subject. Thus, making the sociological approach an appropriate discipline when identifying the area of study. This is then followed by a literature review which is done in both the scientific method and sociological approach this will aid the researcher with the hypothesis. Following this step would be choosing the research methodologies which is where differences occur within the two methods. This may challenge if the sociological approach is the appropriate discipline for the research process when studying society or is the scientific method more …show more content…
Literature reviews allow researchers to gain knowledge on the topic, in addition it is also “nonreactive, meaning it does not include direct contact with subjects and it will not influence the results” . However, there is no way to identify whether the data is accurate itself, also researchers may not acquire literature on their research topic. Due to these reasons secondary data analysis is not viewed as the most reliable or valid form of research for sociology. If the researcher was using the sociological approach, then the next step would be choosing a sample size. Therefore, allowing the researcher to pinpoint the age, race and gender they would prefer to study, this allows the sociologist to stay organized as well as gain reliable results. Research samples are not used within the scientific method which is a negative when studying about society as the research can be too broad and the results will not be as accurate. Lastly, sociological research concludes with analysing the data and interpreting the results. This, however is not done within the scientific method as it just ends with presenting the results. Therefore, the scientific method does not provide a clear view as to why the results are in a certain way which is necessary when studying and understanding society. However, this all depends on the topic chosen which is why sociologists
Sociologists researchers first make ontological assumptions. That is to say, they decide what they are studying or what should be studied. They decide what the subject matter consists of and the meanings behind it. They must consider the social reality and the nature of being, in relation to the subject matter.
Sociology is the study of society and the interactions that occur within society itself. There are numerous methods of analyzing societies and the way the function, nonetheless, most methods fall in micro and macro level theories. Micro level theories allow sociologist to study smaller relationships such as individual or compact groups of people. On the other hand, macro level studies permit for larger scale investigations to take place. With both of these theories there are three theoretical perspectives used in sociology. Micro level theories include symbolic interactionism which focuses in interactions done with language and gestures and the means which allow such interactions to take place. Macro level theories include structural functionalism
According to Dalton Conlay, sociology is the “study of human society and the social structure and dynamics or lies in the inner social structure of history and biography.” Conlay goes on to explain that a sociologist achieves success only
The term Sociology can be defined as a study of society, “the ology” of human inter-action within the collective (society). The Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills (1916-1962) believes that sociology is the most reflective subject there is. Sociology can be used for practical purposes to identify and understand social problems. Sociologists try to study society from an objective, impartial and unbiased position. The study of sociology differs from a common sense view point, as it challenges what is accepted as normal. Sociologists try to be objective in their search to discover the truth.
Sociology cannot be clearly explained as there are many different theories and theorists; so far none of them have been defined as a correct answer. Although with all this information of theories and theorists sociology is relatively explained as agreed philosophies that delivers a reason for human society. Sociological theories are like most other theories, they are selective, and there is no quantity of theory to explain everything or define the infinite amount of information that exist or comprehend the methods of observing reality. Sociological theories vary and can be linked to each other according to various criteria. The two main perspectives of sociology are the micro sociological approach and the macro sociological approach. The micro sociological approach is based more on the persons being capable of their own independent thoughts feelings and behaviour; therefor society is built through their interactions amongst each other and the significances they attach to them. This approach is defined using Social Action Theory and Symbolic Interactionism. The Macro Sociological approach is on a much bigger scale and consists of a person being born into a current society which will then shape their behaviour. It centres on the organisations, values and the culture of that particular society and how it impacts an individual and their role in life. This approach is made clearer using Functionalism, Feminist and Conflict Theories.
Sociology is and what do sociologists study. It is also vital to look at the three basic
Before commencing a discussion on analyzing the article “What makes sociology a different discipline” from the other sciences we should have the know-how about sociology. In the words of modern thinkers of sociology namely Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim “Social fact should be the subject matter for the study of social life and can provide explanations for human thinking and behavior (p19)”. What we infer from the above definition is that man is born as a social animal. Man cannot live alone. He prefers to live in groups and his behavior that is actions and deeds are well governed and regulated by certain rules and laws of conduct that comprises of moral ethics and civic standards. His standard of living is said to be within the norms and standards of the society, if he strictly adheres to the laws and regulations prescribed by the government and the society where he dwells in.
Sociology has been around since the Age of Enlightenment, as both the French and other European men desired to learn more about society. This widespread desire to evaluate the science of society led to sociology, which is now officially defined as the study of the development, structure and functioning of human society. Sociologists can study virtually any topic as long as it has a relation to a society, which means sociology can be argued to include virtually every subject or thing one can think of.
In the broader sociological concept, it is important to integrate all the concepts designed to define human interactions. In a broader picture, all sociological theories aim at defining a certain concept important to society. Henceforth, the concept of studying human actions and interactions should be done in the natural course of life. It is a general fact that human interactions are categorized into small groups in society some of which remain unrealized even to members of the group.
Sociologists analyze human society and interaction using varied ideas and trends. There are three main thought processes used when deciphering social interactions. Structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are used to understand how society works. There are strengths and weaknesses that are attributed to each of the theories.
one another. Sociologists look at these groups by means of the sociological perspective. This involves looking at a certain behavior like it has never been looked at it before. When done right one can come to a deeper level of understanding about behavior.
Sociologists develop theories to explain and analyze society at different levels and from different perspectives. Sociologists study everything from the micro level of analysis of small social patterns to the “big picture” which is the macro level of analysis of large social patterns.
Sociology is a study of society social life, social change, and social causes and consequences of human behaviour and allows us to gain an understanding of the structure and dynamics of today’s society, looking at the interlinking links patterns of human behaviour. Sociology looks at the in which social structure and institutions affect our everyday life. Sociological imagination was founded by C. Wright mills in the 1950`s it is an overall understanding of that some of the things that happen in society may lead to a particular outcome. Mills said it is “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and wider society.” sociological imagination can also be defined as the ability to look at how sociological situations can unfold due to how everyone is different. The way we behave is shaped by the situation that we find ourselves in, the values and norms that we have and the way that other members of society act around us. It is also a way of thinking about how things in society have led to a particular outcome, and understanding of what led to that specific outcome. Sociological imagination is an ability to look at things socially and how they interact and influence each other gaining an understanding of different cultures and class systems.
To Quote Anthony Giddens: "Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behaviour as social beings. The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of world-wide social processes“(1989). Gidden’s statement describes sociology as a study that helps us understand our own behaviour as human beings in a social word. Sociologist study everything from the interaction between people in the street to the interaction between different countries. Sociologists aim to study how societies have changed over, how societies are structured and organized, the norms of society. It’s also important to understand that not all sociologists agree with each other, Sociologists often debate with one another to prove/disprove certain theories and concepts. By studying Sociology is it helps us analyze social conflicts on a micro and macro scope. Through a macro level, we can study large-scale social organization and large social categories it also examinees social processes and patterns society as a whole. We can analyze individuals much deeper on a micro level. This way we study a human by face-to face interactions. Its important as humans to understand the way our society came together and the reasons to how elements work and function together. Sociology gives us a deeper
Research today has become a central part of Sociology. Research in Sociology faces numerous puzzles and suspicions; challenges blind faith and unravel the mystery that surrounds the truth. According to Pauline V. Young “...sociological research is a systematic method of exploring ,analysing and conceptualising social life in order to extend ,correct ,or verify knowledge,