Sociological questions

Question 1

Social constructionism

Answer 1

a perspective which begins from the premise that social reality is the product of interactions between individuals and groups, not something to be taken as ‘natural’

Question 2

comparative questions

Answer 2

relating findings from one society to another social context or using contrasting examples drawn from different societies across the world

Question 3

Who did the tearooms study

Answer 3

Laud Humphreys

Question 4

induction

Answer 4

begins with observation and collection of data, then proceeds to look for patterns within the observed facts, before moving on to develop general theories which provide explanations of the evidence

Question 5

logical positivism

Answer 5

scientists begin by formulating hypotheses - clearly framed questions or statements about some aspect of reality - and then set out to collect empirical evidence that will verify these (hypothetico-deductive method)

Question 6

The research process

Answer 6

1. Defining the problem
2. Reviewing existing evidence
3. Making the problem precise
4. Working out a design
5. Conducting the research
6. Interpreting and reporting the findings

Question 7

quantative research methods

Answer 7

associated with functionalism and positivism, try to measure social phenomena and will use mathematical models and, often, statistical analysis to explain them

Question 8

qualitative research methods

Answer 8

associated with interactionalism and the search for meanings and understanding, try to gather detailed, rich data, allowing for an in-depth understanding of individual actions within the context of social life

Question 9

ethnography

Answer 9

provides information on the behaviour of people in groups, organizations and communities as well as on how those people understand their own behaviour