Transcript Sociology in Our Times The Essentials 3/e

Sociology in Our Times
The Essentials, 3/e
Diana Kendall
Chapter 1 The Sociological Perspective
and Research Process
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Putting Social Life into Perspective
The Development of Sociological Thinking
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives
Sociological Research Process
Research Methods
Why Study Sociology?
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Gain understanding of ourselves and our social
world.
Understand how behavior is largely shaped by
the groups to which we belong.
See the connections between our lives and the
patterns of the society and world in which we
live.
Early Social Thinkers
Emphasized the idea of social order, social
functions and stability:
 Auguste Comte
 Harriet Martineau
 Herbert Spencer
 Emile Durkheim
Early Social Thinkers
Emphasized conflict and social change:
 Karl Marx
 Max Weber
 Georg Simmel
Sociology in the U.S.
Early American social thinkers:
 Robert Park
 George Herbert Mead
 Jane Adams
 W.E.B. Du Bois
Theoretical Perspectives
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Functionalist - views society is a stable,
orderly system.
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Conflict - views groups in society as engaged
in a continuous power struggle.
Theoretical Perspectives
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Symbolic interactionist - views society as
the sum of the interactions of individuals and
groups.
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Postmodernism - rejects earlier theoretical
perspectives as unsuccessful in explaining
social life in contemporary societies.
Conventional Research Model
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Select and define the research problem.
Review previous research.
Formulate the hypothesis.
Develop the research design.
Collect and analyze the data.
Draw conclusions and report the findings.
Research Methods
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Survey Research
Secondary Analysis of Existing Data
Field Research
Experiments
ASA Code of Ethics
Basic ethical standards for sociologists
including:
 Disclose research findings in full and include all
possible interpretations of the data.
 Safeguard participants right to privacy and
dignity while protecting them from harm.
ASA Code of Ethics
Basic ethical standards for sociologists
including:
 Protect confidential information provided by
participants.
 Acknowledge research collaboration and
assistance and disclose all sources of financial
support.