Methods of Study

Learn more about determining the research design in the Boundless open textbook.

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Learn more about the different types of research methods commonly used by sociologists.

Sociologists examine the world, see a problem or interesting pattern, and set out to study it. They use research methods to design a study - perhaps a detailed, systematic, scientific method for conducting research and obtaining data, or perhaps an ethnographic study utilizing an interpretive framework. Planning the research design is a key step in any sociological study.

Sociological research is based on the use of empirical data to substantiate concepts and theories and to test hypotheses. Learn methods of research here.

Watch video lessons on sociology research methods and take the brief quizzes to check your progress. Read on for more, and enjoy watching the video.

Sociologists use many different designs and methods to study society and social behavior. Most sociological research involves ethnography.

Discover different methods of research in sociology.

The term method' means an apt way of doing something. Every science has to use an appropriate way or a suitable method of investigating into its field of study. Sociology, as we have discussed earlier, is also a science. It would also therefore, use certain methods by which sociological facts could be collected, analysed and put into proper form and certain conclusions drawn from them.

Sociology is the scientific study of society. Methods in sociology refers to research procedures for measuring variables and generating and analyzing data of interest to the researcher.