Chapter – 5

Doing Sociology: Research Methods

In this post we have given the detailed notes of Class 11 Sociology Chapter 5 (Doing Sociology: Research Methods) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in Class 11 board exams.

Chapter 5: Doing Sociology: Research Methods

Introduction

• Sociology, the study of society, is considered a social science because it uses scientific methods to gather knowledge.  
• It is more than just common sense or everyday observations about society.  
• Sociologists are interested in understanding the lived experiences of people within their social context.  

Methodological Issues

• Objectivity and Subjectivity in Sociology

  • Objectivity refers to conducting research without bias or personal feelings, based solely on facts.  
  • Subjectivity acknowledges that researchers are part of the social world they study and their personal experiences and values can influence their research.  
  • Sociologists strive for objectivity by employing reflexivity, which involves critically examining their own biases and perspectives and how they might affect their research.  
  • They also acknowledge that there can be multiple interpretations of reality and that sociology is a multi-paradigmatic science with competing schools of thought.  

• Multiple Methods and Choice of Methods

  • There are various research methods in sociology, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
  • The choice of method depends on the research question, the researcher’s preferences, and practical constraints.  
  • Methods can be classified as quantitative (dealing with numbers and statistics) or qualitative (dealing with in-depth understanding of experiences and meanings).  
  • They can also be classified based on whether they use secondary data (existing sources) or primary data (collected directly by the researcher).  
  • Another classification is based on the scale of research: micro (small-scale, focused) or macro (large-scale, broad).  
  • Triangulation involves using multiple methods to study the same phenomenon from different angles, leading to a more comprehensive understanding.  

Participant Observation

• This method involves the researcher immersing themselves in the community or group they are studying, participating in their daily life and observing their behavior and interactions.  
• It is a type of fieldwork that originated in anthropology and was later adopted by sociology.  
• The goal is to gain an insider’s perspective and understand the culture and social dynamics from the viewpoint of the people being studied.  

Fieldwork in Social Anthropology

• Early anthropologists relied on armchair anthropology, using reports from travelers and missionaries to understand distant cultures.  
• Later, anthropologists like Bronislaw Malinowski emphasized the importance of direct observation and participant observation to gain a more accurate understanding of cultures.  
• They would live among the people they were studying, learn their language, and participate in their daily activities.  
• They would use techniques like census, genealogy (family tree), and informants (key individuals who provide information) to gather data.  

Fieldwork in Sociology

• Sociologists also use fieldwork, but they often study communities closer to home and may not always live among the people they study.  
• They may focus on specific social groups or issues within a society, such as urban gangs, factory workers, or village life.  
• Village studies have been an important part of Indian sociology, providing insights into rural life and social dynamics.  

Limitations of Participant Observation

• It is often limited to small communities or groups, making it difficult to generalize findings to larger populations.  
• The researcher’s own biases and interpretations can influence the data collected.  
• It can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.  
• It can raise ethical concerns about the researcher’s role and impact on the community.  

Surveys

• Surveys involve collecting data from a large number of people using questionnaires or interviews.  
• They aim to gather information about a population’s characteristics, opinions, or behaviors.  
• Sampling is crucial in surveys to ensure that the data collected is representative of the larger population.  
• Random sampling ensures that every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, reducing bias.  
• Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subgroups (strata) and then randomly selecting participants from each stratum to ensure representation.  
• Surveys can be conducted through various modes, including face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, mailed questionnaires, and online surveys.  

Census

• A census is a special type of survey that attempts to collect data from every member of a population.  
• It provides a comprehensive picture of the population but is expensive and time-consuming to conduct.  
• In India, the National Statistical Organisation (NSO) conducts large-scale sample surveys and a census every ten years.  

Limitations of Surveys

• Surveys may not provide in-depth information due to the structured nature of questionnaires.  
• There can be non-sampling errors due to issues with questionnaire design, interviewer bias, or respondent dishonesty.  
• Surveys rely on the goodwill and cooperation of respondents.  

Interviews

• Interviews are guided conversations between the researcher and the respondent.  
• They allow for more flexibility and in-depth exploration of topics compared to surveys.  
• Interviews can be structured (with pre-determined questions), semi-structured (with a set of topics but flexibility in questioning), or unstructured (open-ended conversations).  
• They can be used in conjunction with other methods like participant observation or surveys.  

Conclusion

• Sociology uses a variety of research methods to study the social world.  
• Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of method depends on the research question and context.  
• By combining different methods and critically reflecting on their own biases, sociologists strive to produce objective and insightful knowledge about society.  

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