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Sociology

Resources and research that focuses on attitudes, values, and behaviors.

Critical Thinking and Writing

Critical sociological thinking is the ability to logically and reasonably evaluate an argument or problem while being aware of and sensitive to social forces and contexts (Grauerholz & Bouma-Holtrop, 2003).

Sociological Research

Sociological research methods fall into broad categories of quantitative and qualitative approaches, but studies frequently use “mixed methods” incorporating both. Quantitative methods include measurement by sample surveys, statistical modeling, social networks, and demography. Qualitative methods include interviews, focus groups, observation, and textual analysis.

The resources below cover some statistical methods used in social sciences within the TSU Library Collection. 

Applying Social Statistics: An Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning in Sociology

Big Data and Social Science: A Practical Guide to Methods and Tools

Statistics for Social Sciences

 

Data Collection Methods are ways to collect data on individual and group characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, values, and behavior.

Quantitative Qualitative Triangulation
Experiments Observation Evaluation Research
Surveys In-Depth Interviews Ethnography or Case Study
Existing or Secondary Data Historical or Content Analysis Action Research

Data Collection: Methods, Ethical Issues, and Future Directions

Using journal articles to measure the level of quantification in national sociologies.

 

Ethnography is an increasingly important research method in the private sector, yet ethnographic literature continues to focus on an academic audience. 

Perspectives on and From Institutional Ethnography

Practical Ethnography : A Guide to Doing Ethnography in the Private Sector

The problem of 'cameo appearances' in mixed-methods research: Implications for twenty-first-century ethnography.

What is a Literature Review?

A literature review summarizes previous research on a topic that critically evaluates, classifies and compares what has already been published on a particular topic. A literature review can be a short introductory section of a research article, report, or policy paper that focuses on recent research, or, in the case of dissertations, theses, and review articles, it can be an extensive review of all relevant research.

  • The format is usually a bibliographic essay; sources are briefly cited within the essay's body, with full bibliographic citations at the end.
  • The introduction should define the topic and set the context for the literature review. It will include the author's perspective or point of view on the topic, how they have defined the scope of the topic (including what's not included), and how the review will be organized. It can point out overall trends, conflicts in methodology or conclusions, and gaps in the research.
  • In the body of the review, the author should organize the research into major topics and subtopics. These groupings may be by subject (e.g., globalization of clothing manufacturing), type of research (e.g., case studies), methodology (e.g., qualitative), genre, chronology, or other common characteristics. 
  • The conclusion will summarize the main findings, clarify how this literature review supports (or not) the research to follow, and may point the direction for further research.
  • The list of references will include full citations for all items mentioned in the lit review.

Key Questions

Questions To Ask When Conducting a Literature Review.

1. Who are the key researchers on this topic?

2. What has been the focus of the research efforts so far, and what is the current status?

3. How have certain studies built on prior studies? Where are the connections? Are there new interpretations of the research?

4. Have there been any controversies or debates about the research? Is there a consensus? Are there any contradictions?

5. Which areas have been identified as needing further research? Have any pathways been suggested?

6. How will your topic uniquely contribute to this body of knowledge?

7. Which methodologies have researchers used, and which appear to be the most productive?

8. What sources of information or data were identified that might be useful to you?

9. How does your topic fit into the larger context of what has already been done?

10. How has the research already been done helped frame your current investigation?

Research: Social Theories/Social Issues