Doing Sociology Research Methods — Chapter Summary

Method is the procedure used

Method is the procedure used to gather knowledge. Methodology means the study of method, not just the method itself. Sociology depends on careful meth

Objectivity means unbiased

Objectivity means unbiased, fact-based knowledge. It is difficult in sociology because the researcher is also part of society. Reflexivity means exami

Sociology has many competing schools

Sociology has many competing schools of thought and different ways of understanding social reality. There is not just one single interpretation of soc

Quantitative methods deal with countable

Quantitative methods deal with countable or measurable variables such as proportions and averages. Qualitative methods deal with abstract and harder-t

Primary data methods produce fresh data

Primary data methods produce fresh data, such as interviews and field work. Secondary data methods use already existing material such as documents and