Dimensions of Social Problems

Sociological Investigation in Social Problem

1. Define the meaning of Sociological Investigation.

2. List down the following methods of sociological

3. Recognize the three ways to do sociology

4. Explains theoretical perspectives

• is the key to deeper understanding of our everyday social world also to know more about ourselves.

• investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts.
Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the
hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the
shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. In fact, few
fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application of knowledge.
 METHODS OF IDENTIFYING SOCIOLOGICAL
A RESEARCH METHOD IS A SYSTEMATIC PLAN FOR DOING RESEARCH. THE MOST BASIC USED OF
INVESTIGATION
SOCIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION ARE THE EXPERIMENTS, SURVEYS, PARTICIPANTS, OBSERVATION,
AND THE USE OF EXISTING DATA.

1. EXPERIMENTS - is a research method for investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions.
Experiments closely the logic of science, and experimental research is typically explanatory, asking not just
what happens but also why.

2. SURVEYS - The survey is the most common method by which sociologists gather their data. Also this
method in which subjects respond to a series of statements or questions on a queationaire or in an interview.
 METHODS OF IDENTIFYING SOCIOLOGICAL
A RESEARCH METHOD IS A SYSTEMATIC PLAN FOR DOING RESEARCH. THE MOST BASIC USED OF
INVESTIGATION
SOCIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION ARE THE EXPERIMENTS, SURVEYS, PARTICIPANTS, OBSERVATION,
AND THE USE OF EXISTING DATA.

3. PARTICIPANTS OBSERVATION - also called field research, is a staple of sociology. Sociologists have long
gone into the field to observe people and social settings, and the result has been many rich descriptions and
analyses of behavior in juvenile gangs, bars, urban street corners, and even whole communities.

4. THE USE OF EXISTING DATA - Sometimes sociologists do not gather their own data but instead analyze
existing data that someone else has gathered
 THE SCIENTiFIC METHOD AND OBJECTIVITY

• This section began by stressing the need for sound research in the study of social problems. But
what are the elements of sound research? At a minimum, such research should follow the rules
of the scientific method
• An overriding principle of the scientific method is that research should be conducted as
objectively as possible. Researchers are often passionate about their work, but they must take care
not to let the findings they expect and even hope to uncover affect how they do their research.

• This potential is arguably greater in the social sciences than in the natural and physical sciences.
The political views of chemists and physicists typically do not affect how an experiment is
performed and how the outcome of the experiment is interpreted.
 THREE WAYS TO DO
DOING SOCIOLOGY MEANS LEARNING ABOUT THE SOCIAL WORLD. THERE IS MORE THAN WAY TO DO THIS. JUST

SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGIST CAN USE ONE OR MORE THEORITICAL APPROACHES, THEY MAY ALSO USE DIFFERENT RESEARCH

ORIENTATIONS.

• . POSITIVITIST SOCIOLOGY - is a study of society based on systhematic observation of social behavior.

CONCEPT REALIBILITY
VARIABLE VALIDITY
MEASUREM
 THREE WAYS TO DO
SOCIOLOGY
DOING SOCIOLOGY MEANS LEARNING ABOUT THE SOCIAL WORLD. THERE IS MORE THAN WAY TO DO THIS. JUST

SOCIOLOGIST CAN USE ONE OR MORE THEORITICAL APPROACHES, THEY MAY ALSO USE DIFFERENT RESEARCH
ORIENTATIONS.

2. INTERPRETIVE SOCIOLOGY- it is the study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to
their social world. Max Pioneer of this framework, argued that the focus of sociology is interpretation, or
understanding the meaning that people create in there everyday lives
• Max Weber's Versetehen

3. CRITICAL SOCIOLOGY - is the study of society that focuses on the need for social change. The point is
not merely to study the world as it is, but to change it.
• The importance of change
 THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
Guides sociological thinking on social problems. .

1. FUNCTIONALISM - Social problems weaken a society’s stability but do not reflect fundamental faults in
how the society is structured. Solutions to social problems should take the form of gradual social reform rather
than sudden and far-reaching change. Despite their negative effects, social problems often also serve important
functions for society.
2. CONFLICT THEORY - Social problems arise from fundamental faults in the structure of a society and both
reflect and reinforce inequalities based on social class, race, gender, and other dimensions. Successful
solutions to social problems must involve far-reaching change in the structure of society.
3. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM - Social problems arise from the interaction of individuals. People who
engage in socially problematic behaviors often learn these behaviors from other people. Individuals also learn
their perceptions of social problems from other people.
THANKYOU!