5. DOING SOCIOLOGY: RESEARCH METHODS
The chapter discusses the methodological foundations of sociology, focusing on how sociologists gather knowledge and the significance of both qualitative and quantitative methods. It emphasizes the tension between objectivity and subjectivity in social sciences, the importance of reflexivity, and the different approaches like participant observation, surveys, and interviews in sociological research.
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What we have learnt
- Sociology's distinction lies in its methodological approach to knowledge acquisition.
- Objectivity in sociology is complicated by the social context of researchers and the subjective nature of human experiences.
- Multiple methods can be employed in sociology to enhance understanding and gather comprehensive insights.
Key Concepts
- -- Methodology
- The study of methods used for gathering scientific knowledge.
- -- Reflexivity
- The process by which researchers examine their own biases and perspectives in relation to their research subjects.
- -- Participant Observation
- A qualitative research method where the researcher immerses themselves in the community being studied to gain deeper insights.
- -- Survey Method
- A quantitative research method that gathers information from a representative sample of individuals to generalize findings.
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