Why is the question of a scientific method particularly important in sociology?
Sociology is a social science therefore the scientific method of study is very important. It helps the sociologist to acquire knowledge.
Sociology is the study of human behaviour as an individual and in group and the sociologists have to deal with different societies having same and different cultures. So they need to do research and field work for taking public opinion and feelings regarding a particular subject matter.
The sociologists try to be neutral while analysing the collected data and they don't want their own perception to bias their study.
Some sociologists believe that in order to study the society with objectivity it is important to have a scientific approach therefore the need for a scientific method was felt.
What are some of the reasons for ‘objectivity’ being more complicated in social sciences, particularly disciplines like sociology?
Objectivity means unbiased or neutral or anything which is based on facts. Being objective means avoiding own feelings, attitude and perception about the thing being studied and analysing it on the basis of available facts and figures.
Objectivity creates special problem in social science like sociology because the social scientists, who develop the subject are also a part of society having their own likes and dislikes.
Even if the sociologist is reflexive there are chances of unconscious bias where the sociologist is conducting a research related to his or her own society.
Sociology is not as true as a physical science, it is about the study of society and a single thing can be expressed in many ways, there can be several views and various truths, so objectivity creates complication in Sociology.
How do sociologists try to deal with these difficulties and strive for objectivity?
The sociologists rigorously and continuously examine their own ideas and feelings about the subject matter of research and try to ignore their own feelings and attitude and try to look at the subject matter of research through the eyes of others. This technique is called self reflexivity or reflexivity.
And important and practical aspect is documentation. The sociologists keep proper documents of every step of the research and proper facts to support the theories and principles developed by them.
What is meant by ‘reflexivity’ and why is it important in sociology?
Reflexivity means to conduct research on the basis of view point of others and ignoring own feelings and attitudes regarding the subject matter of research.
It is very important in Sociology so as to keep the results objective or to attain objectivity.
What are some of the things that ethnographers and sociologists do during participant observation?
Participant observation is a method of data collection which is commonly used in qualitative research process like Sociology and anthropology. Under this method the data is not collected by survey or interview but the person conducting research that is the sociologist or the social anthropologist spends many months or years with the people about whom the research is being conducted as a non native outsider.
Participant observation is also called field work. The things that ethnographers and sociologist do during participant observation are -
• They spend maximum time with those people who are the subject matter of the research.
• They try to become a part of the community on which the research is being conducted.
• They do not collect data by interviewing the people of the community but by observing them on regular basis.
So, through the method of participant observation the sociologist try to learn about the entire life of the community.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation as a method?
The strengths and weaknesses of participant observation as a method are –
Strengths
1. It provides a detailed picture about the people on whom the research is being conducted.
2. The data used in analysis by the sociologist is authentic and first hand data.
3. A daily record is maintained due to which there is no chance of missing any data.
4. To some extent it is free from being biased.
5. As it is based upon the observation method so many errors and biases of other methods are avoided.
Weaknesses
1. It is time consuming
2. It requires lot of effort
3. It is costlier than other methods
4. It cannot be said that it is free from all types of bias, the chances of unconscious bias is always there
5. It studies a small community and cannot be true for all.
What are the basic elements of the survey method? What is chief advantage of this method?
A survey is an attempt to provide an overview regarding some subject and is based upon the information obtained from chosen representative set of people.
The basic elements of Survey method are –
1. It is applied for studying a large area.
2. It is based upon random sampling and the samples are selected in such a manner that they represent every strata and characteristic of community.
3. Due to the use of random sampling the chances of biasness is avoided.
4. The techniques for used for data collection are interviews and questionnaires
5. The questionnaires can be direct questionnaires or questionnaires sent through respondent as well as the in the interview can be conducted online or on telephone.
The advantages of Survey method are –
1. A wide area can be covered.
2. Chances of being biased are removed.
3. The data is based upon stratified sampling so it can represent the whole community from which data is collected.
4. It involves less time and money.
Describe some of the criteria involved in selecting a representative sample.
Selecting a representative sample means selecting samples in such a manner that they represent the behaviour of the community from which they are being selected. The criteria involved in selecting a representative sample is –
1. The samples are collected randomly so as to avoid the chances of biasness.
2. The representative sampling is done on stratified basis, that is the community from which the samples are collected is divided on the basis of characteristics and then data are randomly selected from each strata.
State some of the weaknesses of the survey method.
Some weaknesses of Survey method are –
1. It is not suitable for obtaining detailed information.
2. The number of respondents in large but the available time is limited.
3. It is not possible to get detailed answers when the data is collected through questionnaires.
4. In case of collecting data through questionnaires, there are chances of incomplete information and errors due to improper understanding of questions.
5. The questionnaire cannot include personal and sensitive type questions.
Describe main features of the interview as a research method.
The main features of interview are -
1. Face to face interaction with respondent is possible
2. It is structured in nature but can be made flexible if the respondent does not understand the question or is not giving the complete answer.
3. The correspondent or the interviewer can ask cross questions or other questions required for obtaining the answer.
4. It is used in survey and participant observation method.
5. The chance of biasness is almost nil.
6. The data can be collected even from those who are illiterate and unable to reply the questionnaires.