The Different Methods of Research in the Sphere of Sociology - Assignment Example

Social research and methodology Introduction: The notion of a society and the things that complete a society are always worth examining and perhaps taking into account the alterations that occur with time and the reasoning behind it. Social research and enquiry refers towards the actual research that is carried out by people belonging to the sphere of ‘sociology’ that they study as a complete subject which should mean that they need the expertise and the required amount of knowledge regarding conducting different researches over topics that are some way or the other related to a society and the social environment encompassing us. Social research includes a list of methodologies that are employed to carry out an effective and accurate research which also includes the different methods of enquiring and understanding the nature of social living and well-being. There are two broad categories which consist of the most important methods of social research; the first category is that of the Quantitative methods and the other of course is the Qualitative way of carrying out a social research. The quantitative method is the one that includes the social ideas of gathering numerical data and the social facts by means of surveys and different questionnaires, Qualitative methods on the contrary is based on personal experiences and dilemmas within the society faced by the people which can be found out by the help of participant observation and evaluation with focus groups and other innovative techniques. These methods efficiently fill the gap between the collection of numerical data and theory which can eventually prove the accuracy of the past conducted researches on an event or problem occurring in the society and primarily help in concluding proving the right or the wrong status along with the ways that were never there before. Relevant Literature on Social Research: The literature on social research and related topics has for some reason been limited perhaps because of the specific detailing out of the entire subject of sociology which needs a lot more of literature as it is. However, the times are altering and people do tend to give social research a lot more of importance than before because of the increasing problems in societies and the questions regarding research that occur then, after they realize that it is quite eminent to cope up with these problems and research is the first step towards it. Two most remembered and a relevant text on the social research is that of Tim May’s ‘Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process’ and Patrick McNeill’s ‘Research methods’ that have immensely contributed towards learning and understanding the different ways of perceiving social research methodology along with innovative research methods to keep in pace with the growing technology all around the globe. ‘Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process’: Literature on the social research was mainly to efficiently fill the gap between gaining innovative ideas and relevant technical procedures, moreover to be literate enough to carry on with the different methods of research in the sphere of sociology. This text by ‘Tim May’ has immensely helped the people in understanding the possibilities that exist in the research field that are a source of aid for the students of sociology and perhaps general education. This book has provided people with a clearer view and an understanding between what theory is and how to go about the research according to the theoretical needs that to support the ideas within the theory as well. An in-depth importance of values, objectivity and factual data collection is defined with relevant instances assisting the entire idea. The reader can also instantly point out the existence of new ideas in the research sphere which mainly include the usage of Internet, texts, case studies, statistical data and more of innovative technology that wasn’t there to assist us back in old times to carry out the eminent process of social research. The text is a way for a reader to understand the process of research more effectively by the assistance of the latest innovations in the technological world. The book has persuaded the societies to produce alterations according to the needs of achieving a new and an improved society. Research methodology is the central most part of the applicable social sciences along with the required intellectual modification. The eminence of the advantages of contemporary research methods and resources and a meticulous look given to the details of data accumulation promote the practical social research processes immensely. This book has aimed towards making people more aware of the ways possible to pursue gaining knowledge regarding the social world and its needs, the details proving the difference between theory and research time and time again and last but certainly not the least the ethics of field of social research and the ways to carry it out effectively. Researchers in the social world have finally come to realize the importance for them to look at the world with the sight that of objectivity and particularly the examination of a specific object which may or may not be a part of this world and a specific society. The eminence of the vigorous impact of a few research methods in sociology and also the limitations which are perhaps there along with every method are well defined within the book. The book provides us with the much-needed guidance for us to achieve our sociological motives the right way which is required for a sociology student/researcher. Understanding on a less complex level is very important for a researcher along with the systematic understanding of the social world which is viable only by gaining an awareness of the social debates and their research implications. The aim of the book can be evaluated as the examination and addressing of the issues that come with the social world along with the innovative processes and methodology of social research. The debates involve the belief in values, prejudices involved in a particular event, object or any subject leading towards an opinionated thinking and how we perceive the social world encompassing us with something that proves to be researchable enough. Ethics of social research are very important for the sociologists to understand and develop an intellectual perspective and the right way and implications to carry out the social research with all the relevant values which can be taught through Ethics of the social world. The place of basic values in carrying out social research is the core component for understanding the nature and the affects of these values which is a mandatory part of the entire process of social research and enquiry. Methods of analysis and among the innovative techniques which can help in conducting the social research and enquiry, the methods include questionnaire designs, individual opinion and observations, interviews, documentaries, numerical data and perhaps case studies. The author has meticulously highlighted the methods used in the research process and defined them on a more pragmatic level and what merits and demerits do these methods have in store for us, he also mentions in the book that one should opt for method that suits the nature of the research and the object which is necessary to carry out the accurate results while satisfying the needs of the entire social research process. Moving ahead, the merits of comparative research and how it has transformed the researching process has been defined along with which the apparent growth in the field of information technology is explained and with institutions such as the European Union has fairly increased interest in the process of comparative research. Comparative research is an important most part of the entire process of social research which highly recommends the employment of comparative sort of researching because of the indication line that it draws between the problem and potential both at the same time along with the viable developments in the research process and the particular objects and opinions. The text on the whole provides us with the pragmatic sense that research is the most interesting yet innovative part of the practice and for the times to come in the sphere of social sciences along with an in-depth understanding of human relations and how the society shapes itself up. However, the entire text massively highlights the methods and issues that are actively involved through out the social research. Milton Keynes always referred towards the development of skills of enquiry and tactics of interaction within the societies, he also promoted research based on political, spiritual, moral, cultural and social issues, dilemmas and events by gathering relevant information and the sources of it too. Justification should also be provided within the research may it be orally or in the form of writing and personal opinions regarding particular problems and events all in the right ways to reach up to a fair conclusion should also be a part of learning social techniques. Milton Keynes always suggested on using one’s imagination to personally experience socially what the other person went through to get the right stance to be able to carry out the research process and that would perhaps enable one to explain views that might be even beyond the subject’s own views and vague thoughts. Reflecting on the process of participation and the thirst of enquiry is very important for an individual in the field of sociology to perceive innovative ideas to employ while the process of research. The book on the contrary seems to fulfilling the required spaces enough to conclude that it well caters to the sociology students all around the globe, perhaps giving them a chance to get inspired producing a thirst for knowledge in them. The book reaches up to its goal which was mentioned right in the beginning of the book which is addressing of relevant issues within the sociological research process and other notable matters in sociology along with the relevant method to carry out an effective sociological research. With the motive of the book, the book also fills in for the void existing in the literature on social research with all the merits of innovative methodology in social research process. This book has also been marked as distinct among the others because of the way employed to explain the social research methods and social ethics a way no text has ever done before for the readers. ‘Research methods’: This book is written by Steve Mcneil who has very classically set a guiding path for the young students in their undergraduate and completing their A-level sociology making it easy for them to consider stepping into the sociology sphere and take it up as a career. Through this remarkable people have been able to identify the correct research methods according to the nature of the subject or a dilemma faced by the society. Along with its use in the sociology subdivision it has been found quite beneficial by the people in fields such as education, social care, business and medicine who have all been longing for gaining an awareness regarding the different sociological research methods which are perhaps necessary for any one in the society to know which can automatically make people learn about how to go about every day events and research on them technically. This book provides a brief history of the sociological research methods and how they can produce accurate results and affect the entire research process. The book also reminds us of the importance of experiments and the research method based on comparison which gives us a clear view of how to carry out an effective yet innovative research that can convince people to believe in certain occurrences within the society. The text provides us with different ways of gaining information which can either through collection of primary data which includes more of direct ways such as interviews, questionnaires, surveys and many more with secondary data collection which is based on personal documents, letters, diaries and evaluation of unknown documents. Science and the relation of Sociology with it has been criticized and explained in a very pragmatic manner along with a few constructive examples which can perhaps help in understanding the relationship between science and sociology and more precisely with the social research methods. Along with explaining the core concepts of social research there are a few other areas that Patrick Mcneil concentrated on which was to fill the void that existed beneath the understanding of the difference between theory and research which provides us with relevant information regarding the focus on theory and when we’re ready to research on the subject the theory is based on. Right in the end the book has a set of relevant questions for students to answer according to their understanding and how they perceived the notions provided within the book. Patrick Mcneil made sure that he updates this book when it comes to references to research studies, expansion in notable sociological theory, advancements in research methodologies and innovative material on the portrayal of research findings which was very important for the readers to be aware of the alterations produced in the sphere of sociology in modern times. As the title suggests the author was able to achieve his motive which was clearly the introduction of innovative ideas with the comparison of the former ideas in the research field along with that he also made sure that a student can learn rather than treating it as just another text to achieve a good grade in sociology and sociology related subjects. It benefits the researchers when it comes down to the relevancy of literature on it which makes it very easy for them to choose this book which is up to date and has the history of social research and a contemporary view on research all in one. The book has almost everything that any other book should have on social research but what sets it apart form the other books available in the market is the way that this book has been structured which is very technical yet aiming towards developing an interest in the reader. It proves to be among many reasons to be inspired with taking up sociology as a career and perhaps gaining the relevant information over social research and the changes that it can bring about in the society. Conclusion: The books when compared can be defined as the most relevant sources of gaining information regarding social research and related matters. The comparison between both the books seems to be a some what difficult task since both the books have provided us with the much needed awareness and social research methodologies which are very eminent for a society to stabilize. Therefore, we can rather say that both the books have achieved their objective which was primarily to assemble every little detail regarding the social researching process. However, the book by Patrick Mcneil seems to provide a little less of information regarding the ethics of social research which is mandatory for the people to carry out the research the right way without employing any inappropriate tactics. Both the books have focused on the technical information concerning the social research sphere but there seems to be a lack of awareness about the importance of social research on an individual basis because the society has more or less people coming from every walk of life. The importance of moral and social responsibilities is some what there but not an entire chapter dedicated to this is in any of the books which perhaps could have increased the chances of a bigger and a better impact on the reader. Nonetheless, both the texts have been able to pull it off well along with an assemblage of relevant information on the tactics of social research which can make it easy for the sociologists to identify the dilemmas and natural occurrences within the society and the affects of it on the entire society. Bibliography: Judith L. Green, Gregory Camilli, Patricia B. Elmore, Audra Skukauskaite, American Educational Research Organization and Elizabeth Grace, Handbook of complementary methods in education research, Routledge publishers, 2006. Piergiorgio Corbetta and Bernard Patrick, Social Research: Theory, methods and techniques, Sage publications, 2003. Patrick Mcneil and Steve Chapman, Research methods, Routledge publishers, 2005. Alan Bryman, Social research methods, Oxford University Press, 2004. Kenneth D. Bailey, methods of social research, Free Press, 1987. Mark Abrahamson, Social Research methods, Prentice-Hall, 1982. Read More