Sociology Unit 2

What is scientific sociology?

Scientific sociology treats social research like a natural science experiment

What data does scientific sociology use?

Uses measurable data and statistics (Objective and Quantitative)

What does scientific sociology rely on?

Relies on surveys, experiments, and numerical analysis

What does scientific sociology aim to do?

Aims to discover patterns in human behavior

What does scientific sociology test?

Tests theories through systematic observation

What is interpretive sociology?

Interpretive sociology focuses on how people make sense of their social world.

What does interpretive sociology explore?

Explores personal experiences and perspectives

What does interpretive sociology use?

Uses interviews and direct observation

What does interpretive sociology study?

Studies how people interpret their social interactions

What does interpretive sociology emphasize?

Emphasizes the importance of context

What is critical sociology?

Critical sociology investigates how power relationships shape society.

What does critical sociology analyze?

Analyzes social inequalities

What does critical sociology question?

Questions existing power structures

What does critical sociology promote?

Promotes social justice and change

What does critical sociology examine?

Examines systemic problems

What are experiments?

Experiments: Testing cause and effect relationships

Example: Study of how different teaching methods affect test scores

What is survey research?

Survey Research: Collecting data through questionnaires

Example: National survey on high school students' career aspirations

What is participant observation?

Participant Observation: Direct involvement in the group being studied

Example: Researcher joining a school club to study group dynamics

What is secondary analysis?

Secondary Analysis: Using existing research data

What is content analysis?

Content Analysis: Studying patterns in media and documents

What is historical research?

Historical Research: Examining past records and documents

Example: Analyzing yearbooks from the past 50 years to study changes in student culture

What is the scientific method?

Scientific Method: Hypothesis testing and statistical analysis

What is interpretive method?

Interpretive Method: Understanding personal experiences and meanings

What is critical method?

Critical Method: Analyzing power structures and advocating change