Describe How Sociologists Ask and Answer Sociological Questions

1301 Words6 Pages
Describe how sociologists ask and answer sociological questions. Anya Pollard Student number: 12309301 Sociologists play a key role in our everyday lives, though we do not realise it. The facts and figures that we take to be as common knowledge came about from some sort of research or analysis completed by a sociologist. For instance, we know from the findings of the 2011 census that the rate of divorce in Ireland has risen by 150.3 percent since 2002 up to an enormous 87,770 (Burke-Kennedy, 2012). These figures provide us with golden information about the world in which we live at this very moment in time. Yet we as individuals tend to forget the fact that these findings were compiled due to a period of intensive research. There is a huge amount of work shadowed behind each and every fact that we come across in our daily lives. In this essay I will discuss the process undertaken by sociologists as they compile their findings and the ways in which they analyse this information to provide us with the statistics of the occurances in the everyday lives of the human race. Sociologists have the ability to analyse the happenings in this world through many different methods. Each situation may call for an alternative method of observation, depending on the delicacy of the task in hand. Some research methods allow a sociologist to merge with the group that is being observed, perhaps providing them with a greater understanding of the situation they are dealing with. Other methods enable a sociologist to remain hidden or anonymous and observe from a distance. A sociologist may take the first approach when dealing with an issue such as alcohol abuse and merge with a group whose aim is to help alcoholics such as alcoholics anonymous. A more discrete approach may be taken when dealing with a more sensitive issue such as prostitution. As Giddens wrote- ‘good research should
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