The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology (Fifth Edition)
The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology (Fifth Edition)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780393264302
Author: Kerry Ferris, Jill Stein
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
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Chapter 1, Problem 2R
Summary Introduction

Concept introduction

Describe how the level of analysis you adopt in your research may affect your assumptions about how society works. Specifically address whether Pam Fishman could have conducted her research on gender and power in conversations from a macro perspective or with a survey. Also address whether the research conducted by Christine Williams on gender and power in occupations could have been conducted from a micro perspective with interviews. Discuss how a change in the level of analysis might have affected the conclusions of both studies.

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If an individual has adopted a macro sociological approach, he/she is assuming that large scale social structures have influenced the lives of individuals or groups. Whereas if an individual has adopted a micro sociological approach, then he/she is assuming that our individual and small group day to day interactions with people may impact larger patterns in society.

Fishman could have explored gender and power from a macro sociological perspective using a large-scale survey to look at larger patterns in society. This could have changed the outcome of the study because a larger scale study might have shown a different pattern of responses. Subjects of the survey might have been more comfortable sharing responses in a smaller interview environment. Conversely subjects might have felt more comfortable sharing frank responses in a more anonymous survey environment. Environmental factors might have influenced responses within an interview format whereas they might not have been a factor in a survey. These factors could have changed the patterns that arose as study outcomes.

Williams might not have achieved her desired scale of occupations if she had used micro analysis. She might also have had to limit her analysis to one location or region to achieve her desired results. The outcome of the study could have been significantly different based on size and location of the population studied.

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Chapter 1 Solutions

The Real World: An Introduction to Sociology (Fifth Edition)

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