Factors affecting choice of topic

researchers values

when choosing what to research, a sociologist will be influenced by their personal interest

e.g. Durkheim who sought to be entirely objective in his research has a close friend who committed sucking and this played some part in his choosing that subject to study

also theoretical perspective of the sociologist may influence choice of topic

e.g. Marxists are likely to want to study topics relating to social class or capitalism. feminists are likely to research topics relating to gender

society’s values

what the general public the media charities pressure groups and policy makers are concerned about will have an effect on the issues sociologist will want to take on

e.g. environmental pollution, poverty, health issues

political issues can also influence the direction of research too i.e. which government is in power and the effects of their policies.

e.g. in the last decade research into the effects of austerity and a cost of living crisis

practical factors

some research topics may not be easy to research in terms of practical issues e.g. unjustifiable cost, difficult to access respondents and ethics

this may prevent certain issues from being studied like the abuse of power, state crime and institutional racism

sociologists may get the opportunity to go undercover or may have contact with a whistleblower who may help them gather data

funding

sociological research is often paid for by academic research funding organisations such as the economic and social research council or by non governmental organisations

these organisation expect some return on their investment and will be prepared to fund some topics and not others

e.g. longitudinal studies will sometimes struggle to gain financial support as funding bodies would have to wait so long for publishable results

funding from a government organisation or company is likely only to fund research into topics that coincide with their interests and aims