Applying Social Science Theories in Research

Everyone in the world has a theory about why something happens or how it happens, but in sociology there are many different types of theories that often contradict each other. Theory is defined as “a statement of how and why specific facts are related” (Macionis, 2013). Most theories explain why people act in certain ways and explains why a person in a group may act different than someone that is alone. When building sociological theories most sociologist ask their selves two different questions: “What issues should we study?” and “How should we connect the facts?” (Macionis, 2013). By answering these questions the sociologist is led to a road map, or a theoretical approach. Theoretical approach is described as “a basic image of society that

Sociological theories are embedded in a particular social context and are deeply influenced by them. Each sociological thinker or theorist has to respond to the social institution in which he or she exists and to try and make sense of the enveloping culture. In other words, sociological theories are sociologist’s response to the context in which he lives and works.

One strength of using participant observation to investigate the idea that ethnic minorities are treated differently within the education system is that it allows the researcher to join in. They will be placed in the same situation that teachers find themselves in routinely, which will allow them to see things through the teachers eyes. This means that the researcher will be able to see things from the same perspective as teachers. This would allow the researcher to create a close bond with the teacher/s and this would mean that they would be more likely to confide. This is particularly important as this is a sensitive subject area. Teachers may only show their true feelings, opinions and

A better understanding of a community helps define the variations of healthcare interrelated concerns that exist in that community. Therefore, it is important that when conducting a research, the studied should be on predominant problem or an environment and the conditions should be the subject of the research. A research may include both qualitative and quantitative approaches that have strategical and empirical investigation, exploring the distinctive evidence, from multiple sources of indication, and from preceding development of theoretic claims (Ennals, 2009).

A sociologist would link the two correlated variables socialization and child abuse together and determine how it impacts a child’s social skills. Socialization is a process in which individuals learn to think and act in certain ways based on their social contact and skills. Child abuse occurs when a caregiver is negligent or abusive and cause’s emotional, mental, or physical harm to their children. According to a Miami University article, children that have been abused develop severe social (emotional and behavioral) problems. More than one third of abused children develop language delays (written and oral language is severely impacted) which negatively impacts the socialization of children.

Sociological theories are the core and underlying strength of the discipline. They guide researchers in their studies. They also guide practitioners in their intervention strategies. And they will provide you with a basic understanding of how to see the larger social picture in your own personal life. Theory=a set of interrelated concepts used to describe, explain, and predict how society and its parts are related to each other. The metaphor I’ve used for many years to illustrate the usefulness of a theory is what I call "The goggles metaphor." Goggles are a set of inter-related parts that help us see things more clearly. Goggles work because the best scientific components work together to magnify, enlarge, clarify, and expand to our view the

Haralambos and Holborn (2008) defined a theory as a set of ideas that seek to explain the way things work. A Sociological theory is therefore a set of ideas which seek to explains how society, or how

Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis.

many factors including what type of group, the groups goals, and what theory or theories are

theories have been developed by psychologists, they are all used to explain what gives human motivation or the drive to behave a certain way.

The principles of the sociological scientific method include professional competence, integrity, professional and scientific responsibility, respect for people’s dignity, and diversity, and social responsibility. Sociologists have the ability to modify the structures of a society based on their research alone, meaning that sociologists have an immense amount of power. As a sociologist, adhering to the principles of the sociological scientific method is important in order for the the immense amount of power that sociologists have to stay in control. Following the principles of the sociological scientific method does not allow the sociologists to abuse their power within a society.

Sociological theories are in fact statements of how and why and how facts about the social world are related in a particular way. Ranging in scope from clear and concise descriptions of a singular social process to examples for analysis and explanation. Many sociological theories would explain certain aspects of the social world and enable the prediction of future events, while many others would function as broad perspectives in which, guide the further sociological

This semester I was fortunate enough to enroll in an internship related to the field of Sociology. One of the things I have struggled with in the past is applying sociological theory into everyday life. Enrolling in an internship gave me the chance to practice applying some of what I have learned in the classroom into a real experience. I worked at the Ohio University Athletic Department, and was involved in student-athlete academic welfare.  When it was time to write my final research paper, I settled upon the topic of women in sports.  I wanted to analyze women’s meaningful contributions and accomplishments within sports, their leadership roles in sports, and what the future of sports could potentially hold for them. I worked with female athletes and what I saw this semester inspired me to write about this topic. My goal is to not only analyze sociological theory regarding these topics, but also to interpret them and apply them to what I saw throughout my internship.

Theories in sociology provide us with different perspectives with which to view our social world. A perspective is simply a way of looking at the world. A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles designed to answer a question or explain a particular phenomenon; it provides us with a perspective. Sociological theories help us to explain and predict the social world in which we live.

Sociology has been a recognized academic subject in British universities for over a hundred years. The subject maintains its specialist standard but components of it can be found in various degree courses including teaching, health profession, journalism and, social work. Its influence on such a broad range of disciplines and professions grants it a highly regarded status in the academic world. (Cunningham & Cunningham: 2008). Sociology examines the social causes, explains outcomes, concentrates on and clarifies matters in our own lives, our communities and the world. Sociology connects diverse subjects ranging from crime to religion, from family to state, from the divisions of race and social class to the mutual beliefs of society and culture to understand how human activity and consciousness is affected and moulded by encompassing cultures and social structures (Department of Sociology : no date). Social theories of sociology have significant relevance to the social work profession as these theories can explain human behaviour, social actions, interactions and structure of society therefore, have the potential to inform social work practice. Cunningham & Cunningham (2008) view sociological thinking as one of the most important skills for social workers and describe that this skill provides the ability to critically analyse social life assumptions and observe issues of personal life and the life of service users in a wider and broader context. According to Mills (1959) the