What is Sociology?

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?

Sociology is the study of human behavior in groups. It is the study of norms, cultures, values, and meanings. These are observed and studied mostly through the institutions that humans build and live within. It is the patterns of interaction, relationships, and culture in everyday life that the sociologist is interested in.

For your reference, these definitions of sociology are on page eleven in the Follow Along PDF manual.

Sociology is only sociology when those patterns in social interaction are studied using the “scientific method." This means employing research methods that include critical analysis and empirical investigation. This research can run from the micro level analysis to the macro level analysis.

There are two primary ways of “doing sociology," if you will. Some sociologists focus on the type of research and research methods I just mentioned. Others focus on developing and advancing the theories of these social processes. The researcher in sociology today uses both traditional quantitative methods and contemporary qualitative methods. These are two terms you need to remember quantitative and qualitative methods. They are the primary methods of research.

• Quantitative Methods use statistics, mathematics, and measurements.

• Qualitative Methods use observation, focus groups, interviews, and ethnology.

I will discuss both of these methodologies in chapter five the Methodologists.

Additional forms of methodology today include philosophic, hermeneutic, and interpretive. Other methods might include social network analysis and agent based modeling.