is sociology a social science

is sociology a social science

Sociology as a Social Science: Understanding its Foundations and Impact

1. Introduction to Sociology as a Social Science

Sociology is often characterized as including an interrelation of theory and fact, vision and research procedures, and other basic components like values, social change, social organization, and the social system or the behavior of the society. Specifically, it is designed to help us understand and act within the social world. In an era of such a rapidly changing world, policymakers, social planners, community interests, businesses, and many others need to make decisions on the basis of rapidly increasing knowledge available. The exercise of this multifaceted process requires a multidimensional approach. There is a great need to have an understanding of what makes the several important aspects of sociology adequately relate to one another, and to know something about the methods used by sociologists to seek corrective measures and changes in the societal process and system. Such an understanding can help all of us to perform more effectively and responsibly in those various types of roles and those fast-changing patterns of relations that we live and move among. With these thoughts in mind, we will progress towards a better understanding of what sociology is and how important it is.

Sociology is the study of those things related to the creation and impact of social organizations, institutions, and groups. The subject matter of sociological analyses and evaluations may range from the intimate family to the hostile mob, the organized political party, the complex of financial and academic establishments, the transportation or communication media, religious or entertainment groups, schools or other educational establishments, and even all of the activities and relationships of human society. As a result, sociology is quite vast in scope and open to many diverse and practical applications. In many ways, it is a driving force within the sphere of social sciences. It provides us with an identity and raises a vehicle through which to understand societal change. It provides a major focus of attention to the prospects and actualities of human community life wherein both the socius and society are often affected or influenced.

2. Key Theories and Concepts in Sociology

Social structure is the organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society. Social structure can be observed in organized systems such as the family, education, religion, economics, and politics. Durkheim and Spencer were the earliest to develop structural theories that attempted to explain how the many parts of society fit together. Marx and Weber focused on conflicts. Structural functionalism was the dominant theoretical perspective during most of the 20th century. The central metaphor of functionalism is that society is a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. Conflict theory was developed in the 20th century by Karl Marx. Conflict theory holds that all societies are heterogeneous in the distribution of resources and that power can be used to dominate others. Feminist theory is the extension of feminism into theoretical or philosophical fields. Some groups view themselves as superior to others, as represented in existing structures of inequality.

Sociologists study 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 observation or, more likely, a survey or an experiment. They collect data and analyze it to test a theory. Finally, after analyzing the data, the sociologists draw conclusions. This process increases sociologists’ understanding of the social forces and processes that affect many behaviors and social problems. A theory is a set of ideas that helps explain things in the world.

3. Methodologies in Sociological Research

Experiments are the most controlled quantitative research methods. Sociologists, as the researchers, manipulate an independent variable as a means to test its effect on a dependent variable. They then use random assignment, pretesting/posttesting (if applicable), to prepare data analyses to determine causation. Content analysis is also considered to be quantitative research; however, it lacks the manipulation of an independent variable or having random assignment/random sampling in the study. It prepares numbers to analyze qualitative data – from interviews, observations, and document analysis research. Ethnography helps provide a deep understanding of the symbolic and situational components of everyday life. The creator and recorder of an ethnography spend a large amount of time in the setting of research. While in this research environment, the researcher collects extensive amounts of information about many different aspects of the observed culture. Small quantities of samples in qualitative research allow a sociologist to obtain in-depth responses. Data is collected in written structured formats such as survey and questionnaire methodologies. Sociologists combine quantitative information questions with qualitative information questions to develop mixed methodologies. Scales are often used in survey research. A sociologist can utilize a scale to measure attitudes/beliefs or behavior of individuals. Secondary data analyses also use quantitative data. A sociologist would examine existing data for orientation of additional research. Data would come from different places such as the U.S. Census Bureau Data, law enforcement data, and the U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice delinquency data.

Sociologists have the opportunity to use several research methods for their studies. The different research methodologies collect different types of data. Some methods gather data on a community-wide level, some on the level of an organization, and some at the individual level. Most sociologists complete an education that provides knowledge and training on how to use several different research methodologies. However, very few sociologists are proficient in every research method, so collaborations are commonly seen when mixed methodologies are part of the study. Below you will find explanations of many of the sociological research methodologies.

4. Applications of Sociology in Addressing Social Issues

The human consequences of sociological inquiry are particularly apparent in the following calculated as a “Caring Dashboard” for teaching, research projects, curriculum development and reform in both sociology and the social science disciplines. The dashboard model facilitates the transformation toward the use of the social sciences for the production of common good, enhances relevance, pertinence, and conductivity ostensibly invoked by numerous subject-related committees, especially at institutions of higher learning.

Sociological knowledge is most valuable when it can be brought to bear on timely social problems and issues. There is practically no social issue in which sociological research – facts or findings or theories – cannot be brought to bear. There are numerous exemplary cases of the application or use of sociological knowledge to address such social issues as social justice, public health, economic growth, and the quality of relations among diverse populations. Examples of social concerns and the issues stimulated or fueled by sociology include: an increasing population, racial tension, complexities of criminal or delinquent behavior, the nature and dimensions of poverty, and the problem of political obligation of society’s members. Other pressing social needs met by sociology are: development of more effective organizations, increased productivity, desires for more meaningful work experiences, and increased mental health.

5. Conclusion: The Significance of Sociology as a Social Science

Sociology is one social science – an activity. Social sciences are indispensable for our lives, for our societies, for our world. The role of social science disciplines is to provide the knowledge and training that will allow professionals in these fields to ensure their full realization. The society of experts owes it to itself. Today, the ultimate end of knowledge is no longer an end of truth but an end of utility, the welfare and development of society. Society pretends; rightly, that disciplines should replace vague recommendations with reasoned knowledge; that decisions reflect expertise rather than opportunism and may be the result of collective expertise and social dialogue; that competencies be connected to developed scientific activities. How to connect this expected utility to the structure and functioning of the social sciences?

Put simply, social science disciplines represent essential social activities defined by their discourse, institutions, identity, and relevance. This character is what fills these disciplines with meaning and purpose. Training in the social sciences is not job training, but intellectual training in social activities. The problem is that in many cases the social sciences are not believed to be disciplines and therefore not to articulate social activities. To a great extent, social science is outside the bounds of the university disciplines, teaching is not organized or coherent, and the intellectual objectives of the activity are not clear.