The history of sociology has ancient roots. The first system explaining the nature, the world and the place of the people in it was mythology. Sociological research in world science began to play a certain role from the 18th century. It was then that some countries began to regularly conduct a population census. Thus, in the United States, such events have become permanent since 1790. The data obtained as a result of their implementation allows the country's government to see the emerging picture of the demographic structure of society, the dynamics of its development, and so on.
Interestingly, the census is regarded as the progenitor of modern sociological research. In the 19th century such activities have been expanded. Sociological research began to include surveys that reveal the standard of living of the population. At that time, this direction began to turn into an independent field of scientific knowledge.
Today, sociological research continues to be relevant. When they are used, a variety of information is obtained. When using the whole systemlogically consistent organizational, technical, methodological and methodological procedures, researchers manage to obtain reliable data concerning the process or phenomenon being studied, as well as telling about the contradictions and trends in their development. All this information is subsequently used in practice in the management of public life.
Types of studies
The main reason for turning to sociology is the need to obtain relevant and meaningful information that reflects the most important issues related to the life of a person, groups and collectives, as well as various strata of society. Carrying out such research contributes to the addition of statistical data. Sociology fills them with knowledge about people's interests, opinions and requests, moods and the degree of satisfaction with leisure, life, work organization, etc.
The purpose of any research in this direction is an analysis of the problems that take place in life and are important for the development and functioning of society as a whole. That is why the object chosen for such events should be in demand and relevant.
Sociological research comes in many forms. The choice of a particular one is determined by the nature of the tasks and goals. All sociological research is grouped into three main types. Among them are reconnaissance (pilot, probing), descriptive, and also analytical. There are some additional types of research. Let's take a closer look at them.
Intelligencestudy
Events of this type are the simplest kind of sociological analysis. At the same time, the tasks facing them have a specific framework. During pilot studies, a kind of running-in of all the necessary tools is carried out, including questionnaires and interview forms, questionnaires, various observation cards, etc.
The intelligence-type sociological research program has been simplified as much as possible. It involves surveying small populations of 20-100 people.
All stages of sociological research are usually the threshold for a deep study of the problem. During such events, hypotheses and goals, tasks and questions, as well as their formulation are specified.
Carrying out such researches is expedient at insufficiently studied or for the first time raised problem. The need for them is due to the receipt of operational information.
Descriptive study
This type of sociological analysis is more complex. It allows you to get information that gives a holistic view of the object of study. Conduct a descriptive study when the required data relate to a large population with diverse characteristics. This may be, in particular, a team of employees of a large enterprise, because it will certainly be made up of people of different ages and genders, professions, length of service, etc.
Comparison of interesting characteristicsis carried out when homogeneous groups are separated from the structure of the object of study (by speci alty, level of education, etc.).
When passing through the stages of a sociological research of a descriptive type, one or several methods are used to collect the necessary data. All this helps to increase the reliability of information by making informed conclusions and giving the necessary recommendations.
Desk study
This kind of sociological analysis is the most serious. Its implementation pursues the goal of describing an element of the process or phenomenon being studied. This allows us to identify the reasons that underlie it, which is the main purpose of such an event.
When passing through the stages of a sociological study of an analytical type, a combination of various factors that determine a certain phenomenon is studied. Holding such events is impossible without the use of polished tools and a program developed in all details.
Analytical research, as a rule, completes exploratory and descriptive research. It is comprehensive and allows for broader and more varied conclusions.
Additional types of research
Sociological analysis can be:
- Single or spot. Such a study provides information about the quantitative parameters and the state of the process or phenomenon at the moment when it is being studied.
- Repeated. During these activities, data is obtained, onon the basis of which one can judge the existing dynamics in the development of the object. In turn, repeated studies can be panel (considering only one social problem) and longitudinal (re-study of a population of people over a number of years).
- Monographic. Such a study contributes to a comprehensive, global study of the object as one of the representatives of similar phenomena or processes.
- Cohort. Such a study is designed to study people over a period of time (for example, a year) who simultaneously experienced the same events (going to college, getting married, etc.).
- Cross-cultural, international. Such studies serve to compare the processes and phenomena that occur in different countries. They are complex in their methodology activities, the choice of strategy and interpretation of the results of which is complicated by differences in national traditions, cultural experience, mentality, etc.
Research structure
Any sociological analysis includes certain stages, phases and procedures. They may vary depending on the type of event. Thus, the classical sociological research includes the following steps:
- Preparatory. At this stage of events, a program for their implementation is developed, goals are set and a plan is drawn up.
- Collection of primary information. This is the next stage of sociological research. At this stage, the results of surveys, extracts from documents are collected,observations, etc.
- Final. At this stage, the information collected at the second stage of applied sociological research is prepared for its processing on a computer. After that, the processing itself is carried out with subsequent data analysis. Also, at the last stage of sociological research, conclusions are formed based on the data obtained. Based on them, projects of measures are created to eliminate the problem under study.
Let's consider the stages and program of sociological research.
Preparatory
The beginning of any sociological research is preceded by the process of developing a program that can be considered based on two aspects. On the one hand, it serves as the main document of the undertaken scientific research. On the other hand, it is a certain methodological model that fixes the principles and objectives of the event, as well as ways to achieve the goals.
The program of the proposed case study is a scientific document. It is intended to reflect a logically justified scheme for the transition of work from theoretical understanding of an existing problem to a specific toolkit. When considering the stages of the report on the results of the sociological study, it becomes clear that the program is the main part of this final document.
Development stages
Let's consider the main sections of the sociological analysis program. When compiling a report on the work carried out, all of them are included in the firstchapter. Its study allows you to get acquainted with the methodological (theoretical) plan of events.
At the first stage of the sociological research report, a description of the problem situation is made. It also formulates the problem that should be covered in the event.
The sequence of stages of the sociological research report, which are similar in content to the compiled program, is:
- Selecting an object to study. It is something that implicitly or explicitly contains a social contradiction, which gives rise to the creation of a problem situation.
- Determination of the subject of ongoing activities. This refers to the most significant from the theoretical and practical side of the properties and features of the object. These indicators are subject to study.
When studying the sequence of stages of the report on the results of a sociological study, we turn to the second section. It includes the formulation of goals and objectives of the planned work. The purpose of sociological research is a model of the expected result. It determines the focus of specialists on solving applied, methodological or theoretical problems. The tasks set, which are reflected both in the research program and in the report being prepared, are a system of specific requirements that apply to the solution and analysis of an already formulated problem.
The next stage of the report on the results of a sociological study contains a general concept of events. This is a clarification and interpretation of the meaning of the appliedconcepts.
The next section of the report includes the hypothesis specified in the research program. It is the main methodological tool that contributes to the organization of the entire process and obeys its logic. A hypothesis in sociological research is reasonable assumptions regarding the structure of the objects of study, the nature of their relationships and possible solutions to the problems that have arisen.
The next section of the report is a stage of work concerning the creation of a methodology for the initial collection and subsequent analysis of data, as well as the development of tools. Based on this, the type of social research and the method of obtaining data can be determined.
Information gathering
This is the second of three stages of sociological research. It involves the use of pre-prepared tools in the process of carrying out certain procedures. The main purpose of such events is to collect information about the object under study. In this case, such methods as survey and observation, experiment and analysis of documents can be applied.
The work of this stage of sociological research is reflected in the second chapter of the report. It describes those socio-demographic features that distinguish the object of study.
Analysis of results
What is the final stage of sociological research? Processing, interpretation, analysis of the results of actions and data, development of recommendations and evaluation of the effectiveness of the method used, construction of reasonable andempirically verified generalizations, recommendations, conclusions and projects - all these works are carried out in the analysis of the results obtained. The main result of a sociological study is the creation of a scientific report that highlights all its main stages.
To process the received information, it is being edited. This process is the verification of data, their unification and formalization. The information is then coded. This is a transition to the language of analysis through the creation of variables. Coding is a link between quantitative and qualitative information, as well as data entered into the computer memory.
The next stage of the work performed is statistical analysis. With its help, certain patterns and dependencies are revealed, on the basis of which it will be possible to draw certain conclusions. After that, the information is subject to interpretation. This process is a correlation of the obtained data with the goals and objectives of the study.
The work carried out is considered completed only after the presentation of its results in the form of a report. It can be not only written, but also oral, brief or detailed, intended for the general public or a narrow circle of specialists. After the report is compiled, it is provided to the customer. The structure and stages of sociological research are determined by its type (theoretical or applied) and must correspond to the logic of the applied concepts.
The number of sections of the report corresponds to the number of hypotheses put forward. Their wordingindicated in the program. The report on the conducted sociological research includes answers to previously put forward hypotheses.
The final section offers practical advice. They are based on general conclusions. All methodological and methodological documents, statistical tables, graphs, charts and tools must be attached to the report. All these materials can later be used in the process of developing a new sociological research program.
