Doing Sociology: Research Methods

The aim of sociology is to understand social action in its subjective meaning. — Max Weber

5.1 Sociology as a Science

Sociological research follows systematic steps: problem selection → review of literature → hypothesis or research question → data collection → analysis → conclusion.

Findings must be based on evidence, not assumption. Researchers remain aware of bias and ethical responsibilities toward participants.

5.2 Types of Data

Primary data: collected firsthand (surveys, interviews, observation).

Secondary data: existing sources (census, government reports, historical records, newspapers).

Most studies combine both (mixed methods).

5.3 Key Research Techniques

• Survey: structured questionnaire to a sample
• Interview: guided conversation (structured, semi-structured, or open-ended)
• Participant observation: researcher joins daily life of a group (ethnography)
• Case study: intensive study of one event, village, or organisation
• Content analysis: systematic study of texts, media, or documents

Sampling: selecting a subset (random, stratified) to represent a larger population.

5.4 Ethics and Limitations

Researchers must obtain informed consent, protect confidentiality, and avoid harm. Objectivity is an ideal; values and positionality can influence questions and interpretation.

Limitations include small samples, respondent bias, and difficulty generalising from one context to another.

Chapter Summary

• Research process: question, data, analysis, conclusion
• Primary vs secondary data; quantitative vs qualitative
• Surveys, interviews, observation, case studies, content analysis
• Sampling enables study of large populations
• Ethics: consent, confidentiality, awareness of researcher bias

Exercises (NCERT)

• Exercise 1 — designing a simple survey on a school-related topic
• Exercise 2 — comparing quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Exercise 3 — ethical issues in sociological research