Author Question: Review the major research methods employed by sociologists in studying social problems. Explain why ... (Read 49 times)

OSWALD · **on:** Jul 2, 2018

Review the major research methods employed by sociologists in studying social problems. Explain why a researcher would choose one method over another.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are sociology's three major theoretical approaches? Describe each one. Apply each to a problem of your choice and show the type of insights each approach provides.

What will be an ideal response?

ju · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 2, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Sociologists use four major research methods in their investigation of social problems: surveys, field research, experimental research, and secondary analysis.
Questionnaires and interviews are forms of surveying that allow for breadth or depth of understanding, while field research allows observation of people in their everyday activities.
Experimental research uses controlled conditions to investigate cause-and-effect relationships.
Secondary analysis draws on data originally collected by others and may not be accurate.

Answer to Question 2

The structural-functional approach is a theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts known as social institutions.
The social-conflict and feminist approach uses a theoretical framework that sees society as divided by inequality and conflict.
The symbolic-interaction approach is a theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another.