If you simply want to take a look into the behaviors of individuals then you will want to use qualitative research methodology. However, if you want to look at the statistics or percentage aspects of a situation then it is important that you use the quantitative research methodology. Mixed method research is actually where the use of quantitative and qualitative research method is both being used together to conduct a research and using both forms of data to come to a conclusion. It is appropriate to use both if a researcher wants to look at an issue in a 360 degree manor meaning they would like to see how many people the issue is actually affecting, as well as why it is affecting them. Scientifically sound research actually supports the function of a human service manager because the results or findings of this research is often backed up and proved successful by science laws, as well as being backed up by facts.
When conducting social research it is important for sociologists to consider the range of ethical factors that they might face, as failure to do so may affect the participants or even the overall outcome of the sociological data. From the informed consent of participants to covert research, it is essential to examine the most important ethical issues as they play an important part in the construction of research data. An ethical problem that could be encountered by sociologists when conducting research is the issue of informed consent. Informed consent is given when the participants of the study agree to the terms and conditions of the true aim of the study. However, some results may be invalidated by the participants knowing either the true aim of the study or the fact that they are being studied at all.
Perhaps more so than Emotivists, Prescriptivists see ethical language as fairly meaningful. They believe that the terms used are able to create absolute rules that everyone ought to follow. It would seem that ethical language is seen by many as very meaningful, although for varying reasons. However agent centred theories such as Virtue Ethics would argue that our main focus of morality should be on becoming as virtuous as possible, rather than deciding what is meant by ethical language. Therefore it would seem that perhaps morality should be more focussed on individuals’ actions rather then defining what is meant by ‘good’ and
This essay will explore whether society shares a basic consensus about norms and values. Our norms are defined as behaviour that is generally seen as expected and accepted by the masses of society, and our values are defined as a learned personal moral behaviour of what is right and wrong. The essay will also explore the experiences and ways that determine where we learn these norms and values from, which is properly defined as the process of socialisation. As sociologists generally dispute whether society shares consensus of norms and values, this essay shall specifically explore two major sociological theories namely functionalism and the major conflict theory Marxism in a limited amount of detail to provide a basic depth of understanding. Along with the theories I will explore the major institutions of organised religion and education with the eventual aim of providing a clear answer to the essay question.
This essay will explore the differences and similarities between two social scientists’ view of how social order is made and rebuilt. Both are concerned with governance (Silva, E, pg. 309), that being the action or manner of governing either individuals or society as a whole and how authority and discipline are exercised. The two propositions that will be compared and contrasted are: · Goffman - that social order is produced through the everyday actions and practices of people as they live their lives (Silva, E, pg. 316) · Foucault - that social order is produced through the power of knowledge and discourse (that which is talked about), which are the products of historical processes (Silva, E, pg.
Chapter 8: Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience - Social influence o Changes in behaviour caused by other people - Conforming behaviour occurs for two principal reasons: o Informational influence • When people are influence by others because of a desire to be correct and to obtain valid information • Reflects that people often rely on others as a source of information o Normative influence • When people are influenced by others to gain reward or to avoid punishment • Disagree with others judgments or beliefs, but proceed in an attempt to be liked or avoid conflict - These can occur simultaneously - We often want to please other people (normative influence) whose judgments we seek (informational influence) Conformity o Most
The case study has been used as a tool for natural and social sciences as well as psychological research. One type of case study is a “psychobiography” which means a researcher utilizes psychological theory to explain the life of an individual, usually an important historical figure. Reasons to Use Case studies can aid as being valuable for informing of conditions that are considered rare or unusual, thus providing unique data about psychological phenomenon like memory, social exchange, or language. Depending on the purpose, a case study may present an individual’s history, symptoms, characteristic behaviors, reactions to situations, or responses to treatment. Case studies are also useful for testing whether scientific theories and models
It focuses on what the goals are and how they can be achieved. On the other hand, consequentialism is a moral theory that evaluates things like institutions, persons, actions and policies according to their consequences. It measures the outcome and decisions are dependent on potential benefits and the cost of a moral action. It generally focuses on how to attain goals. Consequentialism assumes that if human being would weigh the outcome of their taboos and beliefs, then happiness can be achieved and pain reduced.
Second, you will have to catch yourself in acts of selfishness and begin to correct your behavior. Third, you will have to become committed to living a rational, compassionate, contributory life, to look outside yourself and see how your behavior affects other people. Last, you will have to decide, again and again, that being fair-minded is crucial to your identity as a person The basic intellectual skills that critical thinking entails can be the initial point for skills in either a selfish or a fair-minded way. Critical thinking can serve two incompatible ends: self-centeredness or fair-mindedness. A weak-sense critical thinker is although it is working well for the thinker in some respects, it is missing certain important, higher-level skills and values of critical thinking.
Social facts, positivists argue, can be observed, measured, and quantified, (hence why positivism is also known as Quantitative) producing data/statistics which, when analysed can reveal correlations, patterns of behaviour, causes (cause and effect), and ultimately, laws of human behaviour. By creating data through research methods such as structured interviews, questionnaires, and social surveys using a deductive approach to the relationship between theory and results, the emphasis is placed on the testing of theories. They also believe that it is important to examine society as a whole, using a large scale (macro) methodology, and consider social facts (institutions, beliefs, norms &values of society) to have an external existence to a person, but having an influence on behaviour, and the way a person acts. Therefore, it could be said that human beings essentially are directed by social facts, by norms, values and beliefs, and are part of wider society. Durkheim’s study of suicide being an example of this, he gathered data on suicide (social fact) and members of different religious beliefs (set), by analysis of such data and found a link between Protestantism and a high rate of suicide.