We offer online fortune telling on the maps of Taro Manara for love, relationships and check ...
For specialists, bachelors and undergraduates of the direction "Sociology"
Tyumen State University Publishing House, 2008
Melnik V.V., Tutorial "Methodology and Methodology of Sociological Research". - Tyumen: Publishing House of Tyumen State University, 2008. - ....... from.
The textbook was developed in accordance with the requirements and content of the state educational standard for sociology,
· Sociological research methodology
· Sociological Structure
· Measurement in sociological imprisonment
· Qualitative methods
· Quantitative methods
· Preparation, processing, analysis and presentation of data
Each topic contains lists of control questions and extensive additional literature for each of the 28 topics.
Responsible editor: G.F. Romashkina, D.SOsiol.Nuk, Professor.
Reviewers:
V.A. Davidenko, D.Osotiol.Nuk, head. Department of Economic Sociology of the Tyumen State University;
V.V. Gavrilyuk, D.SOsiol.Nuk, Professor.
© Tyumen State University, 2008
© Melnik V.V., 2008
Building
Introduction c. five
Section first.
Sociological methodology
Studies with. 6 - 54.
Chapter 1.Methodological role of the theory in sociological
study c. 6 - 27
Chapter 2. Sociological study as a branch
sociological science with. 28 - 37.
Chapter 3. Subject and method of sociological research with. 38 - 54.
Section second.
The structure of sociological
Studies S.55 - 149
Chapter 4. The concept of sociological research with. 55 - 67.
Chapter 5. Types of sociological research with. 68 - 81.
Chapter 6. Sociological research program with. 82 - 102.
Chapter 7. Conceptual and operational model
object and subject of sociological research with. 103-116
Chapter 8. Hypothesis of sociological research with. 117-130
Chapter 9. Sampling in sociological research with. 131-149.
Section Third.
Measurement in sociological
Related s. 150-227
Chapter 10.. Variables in a sociological study with. 150-160
Chapter 11. Measurement in sociological examination with. 161-171
Chapter 12. Scale and indices in sociological
research with. 171-194
Chapter 13. Social indicators and indicators in
Sociological study with. 195-216
Chapter 14.Methodology, technique and procedure in sociological
research with. 217-227
Section fourth.
Sociological methods
Studies with. 228-383.
Chapter 15.Quantitative and high-quality methods p.228-246
Quality methods
Chapter 16.. Biographic method with. 247-263
Chapter 17.. The "Focus Group" method with. 264-280
Chapter 18. Case study method ("Case-Study") with. 281-288.
Quantitative methods
Chapter 19. Analysis of documents with. 289-301
Chapter 20. Method of observation with. 302-316.
Chapter 21.Survey method with. 317-332.
Chapter 22.Interview method with. 333-340.
Chapter 23. Expert rating method with. 341-360
Chapter 24. Sociometry with. 361-367
Chapter 25.. Social experiment. from. 368-383.
Section fifth. Preparation, processing,
Analysis and presentation of data from. 384-459
Chapter 26.Preparation, analysis and processing of data of sociological
studies with. 384-418.
Chapter 27.Multidimensional data analysis methods with. 419-440
Chapter 28. Data generalization and presentation of results
studies with. 441-459
Applications with. 460-467
Attachment 1
Expertise
Appendix 2.
Sociological periodical
Introduction
This educational discloses in detail the methodology, methods, procedures and techniques of the main types of theoretical sociological studies, both qualitative and quantitative. Specific research methods are considered in conjunction with conceptual aspects: program development; interpretation and operationalization of the concepts of research; procedures and equipment of measurement and scaling; The formation of hypotheses / data analysis is considered at the level of one-dimensional and two-dimensional distributions, as well as multidimensional analysis methods, on the basis of specific studies, i.e. All that is a fundamental arsenal of a sociologist and is required for a theoretical and applied research and development of output recommendations.
The manual was created on the basis of the 2002 Gosstandart and lecture courses "Methodology and methodology of a sociological study" of readable for students in the specialty "Sociology" for 10 years. The course of lectures was also tested during the teaching of the discipline "Methods of Sociological and Applied Research" by students - Masters of Direction of 080500 "Management". The manual is logical about the courses "Introduction to the specialty", "General Sociological Theory", "Quantitative Methods in Sociology", "Analysis Data, with courses in industry sociology and with industrial practice of students. The appendix presents the results of an applied expert study, which in its classical version are practically absent in the educational literature.
Chapter 1. Methodological role of the theory in a coiological study
Basic concepts: General scientific methodology. Nationalociological methodology. Strategies of knowledge. Cognitive activity. Knowledge system. The doctrine of the method. Polyparadigmality. Multi-level methodology. The device and functioning of society. Functions of science. "Floors" methodology. "Core" and "peripherals" of concepts. Validity.
Institutionalization of sociology, the specificity of its object and the subject caused and specific methodologythis science. As an integral part of social studies, sociology relies on all the richer modern paradigm diversity of humanitarian, natural-scientific and actually sociological knowledge. The necessary methodological and theoretical foundation of cognitive activity in sociology is philosophy, social philosophy, logic, mathematics, statistics.
In general scientific sense methodologythis is the doctrine of the method (methods), as a totality of theoretical provisions on the origin and content of scientific theory, sphere and limits of its application. Theories forming the methodology are peculiar, intellectual tools designed to understand, study and explain the social reality, all that is happening in the world, this is what reflects the meaning of the ancient Greek term Methodos - ways of research, knowledge and logos - the word.
In the structure of scientific knowledge methodology acts as a general strategy of knowledge rolewhich is unusually important, since it is exactly the guidelines and horizons that in science are usually determined by the term "paradigm". It can be said that the history of science is the history of the occurrence and change of paradigms. From this point of view, sociology, for its not so long existence, repeatedly changed and changes the paradigms and, moreover, is characterized by polyparadigmality, i.e. Simultaneous presence of the diversity of theoretical ideas about the strategies of knowledge, about the object and subject of sociology, on the initial principles of scientific construction of sociological knowledge and on how to achieve it. This is especially brightly manifested in Russian sociology in our time, after departing from the totality of the communist ideology. And now we are witnessing the direct manifestation of polyparadigmality in Russian sociology, as the multiplicity of ways of scientific knowledge that does not have ideological or theoretical shore.
In the widest understanding, as methodology Speakers are general scientific, general theoretical means of knowledge. Since the theory reflects the essence of the phenomena of reality and their bonds, establishes patterns reflecting an objective reality, it acts as a means of not only their explanations, but also to study not yet disabled phenomena and processes, i.e. indicates the general direction of search, speaking exactly how methodology - The path of knowledge. The methodological specificity of sociology as science consists in its connection with other sciences on society and its multi-levelness. First of all, we note that it is closely intertwined with philosophy in its theoretical part. This is determined by the fact that there are as some general principles of the ratio of general scientific and philosophical knowledge and general principles that determine the relationship of philosophy and sociology. This connection is like direct and indirect. One of the important sections of philosophy is social philosophy, which not only acts as a link, but also has a significant sociological color.
Based on the objective understanding of the theory, as a hierarchically structured system of knowledge, on quite permissible bases, this hierarchy can be represented as follows. Social philosophy acts as the highest theoretical level of generalized sociological knowledge. It constructs the general principles of social being, the laws of its functioning and development, which constitute the logical system of sociology, transferring into it the general principles of knowledge (gnoseology, methodology, logic) and general principles of being (ontology). Thus, philosophy, through its branch - social philosophy, affects, enriches sociology, making it part of the general philosophical theoretical paradigm.
In this process of knowledge, philosophy and sociology are related disciplines having similar research objects: society, man, group, labor, power, values, motives, human being, etc. Both of them learn society from the position of its device, development and operation, but each grabs only its angle. Philosophy reveals the general laws of the device; development and operation of society; And sociology specifies the formulated general laws in the structure of the Company. Given the fact that socio-philosophical ideas permeate the entire structure of theoretical sociology, it is difficult to carry out any distinctive line between them. Therefore, the methodological sections of theoretical knowledge in sociology are quite comparable to philosophical reconstructions. For example, when analyzing the above concepts of sociology, as well as such concepts as "society", "Community", "Culture", "Civilization", "Evolution", "Revolution", "Progress", "Regress", "Political System "," division of labor "," class "," strata "," war "," welfare "and others, it is very difficult to carry out the border between the socio-philosophical and sociological aspects of the study. In essence, the philosophical interpretations of these concepts are fully consistent in the category of the part of the sociological theoretical knowledge, in which the main sociological laws, categories and theoretical concepts are analyzed. For the latter, even special sociological dictionaries exist. The same can be said about other humanitarian sciences - stories, political science, social psychology, archeology, etc., whose conceptual apparatus is actively used in sociological studies.
Any theoretical system of knowledge (Methodology) makes sense only inspired, since it not only explains and describes some object area, but at the same time is a search tool for a new knowledge. The theory not only formulates principles and laws reflecting the objective world in its subject area and establishes patterns in the essence of the phenomena of reality and their connection. The theory and the method of further penetration of not yet studied areas of reality, or newly exacerbated problems, on the basis of the existing knowledge, proven practice, is thus implementing its basic heuristic(cognitive) functionsubject area of \u200b\u200bthis science. The disclosure of the content of the methodology is occurring as other major research functions are implemented in it. In addition to heuristic, it is customary to allocate the following methodologies of the theory: orienting, predictive and classifying. Orienting - directs the efforts of the researcher in selection and filtering data and facts. Predictive - works on the establishment of causal, causal dependencies in some special area. Classifying and typologizing - helps to summarize and systematize facts by identifying essential properties and connections. As an independent industry, the knowledge of sociology is also characteristic of both such functions as a descriptive, prognostic, ideological, educational and practical converter. It seems that the latter, from those mentioned, is fundamentally significant for society in terms of transformation, since only the evolutionary development of society is possible on the basis of accurate knowledge. As it seems to us, on the same understanding of the methodology specified in his book G.G. Tatarova
In this way, sociology - this is a science of evolution (development, development, stability, variability and transformation), and the functioning of social communities, on the forms and methods of their self-organization. This is an area of \u200b\u200banalyzing social transformations caused by the activity of a social subject; science of social relations as mechanisms of interconnection and interaction between diverse social communities, between personality and communities; Science of regularities of mass social activities.
Sociology is closely interconnected not only with general scientific knowledge and theoretical (paradigmal) sociology, the main elements of which we will look at below. Paradigms are knowledge of knowing. Actually, a methodology, which is not related to specific sociological problems. Methodological knowledge includes ideological and methodological principles; The doctrine of the subject and object of sociology; knowledge of methods, their development and application; the doctrine of sociological knowledge, its forms, types and levels; Knowledge of the process of sociological research, its structure and functions. As an extensive science, sociology, in addition to the general theoretical understanding of its subject, includes the development of private socialociological theories, the subject of which is the study of the special states and forms of the existence of social communities: social structure, culture, social institutions and organizations, groups and processes of socialization of individuals in social communities.
Another level of sociology methodology is a variety of methods Developed and embodied in specific sociological studies. The term methodology defined in its totality is also a set of provisions representing the instrumental basis for scientific sociological knowledge, the principles of its organization and the selection of valid procedures and equipment for collecting accurate information. Consequently, M. etodology -it's the same the doctrine of the method or about methods, as components of research activities: development of a study program, identifying specific techniques in accordance with the nature of the object and the subject of research, the formation of hypotheses, to verify, conceptualization and the operationalization of concepts, formation and selection of the sampling, logic, technology and testing procedures of the data sociological research. It is in such an understanding that the methodology determines the extent to which the facts collected can serve as a real and reliable basis for scientific knowledge about society. From this point of view, the methodology appears the logical system of dealing with operations and procedures, with which knowledge is constructed. Therefore, in a professional language, the term "methodology" (method) among sociologists, it is customary to designate a set of research methods, techniques and procedures, including receptions for collecting, analyzing and processing data. It is this importance of the methodology particularly emphasized Paul F. Lazarsfeld, indicating that the methodology is primarily an activity related to critical analysis and the choice of methods and procedures of sociological research, detecting empirical meaning and content of theoretical concepts and, consequently, the scientific significance of sociological theories, through the implementation Verification principle.
Thus, depending on the level of the theory (meta, macro, micro), we can talk about the methodology of sociology as such, on the methodology for the study of individual areas of social phenomena and the methodology for the study of small social groups and individuals. This multi-levelness of the methodology of sociology can be reflected schematically, in the form of a peculiar (scheme 1) of the pyramid.
Methodological scheme of science of sociology
Methodology levels:
1. Nearby - refers to sociology as a whole.
2. Pricework - refers to individual sections of sociology.
Separate sections of methodology
1. The ideological and methodological principles.
2. The doctrine of the subject of sociology.
3. Knowledge of methods.
4. Knowledge of sociological knowledge.
5. Knowledge about the process of sociological research
6. The history of sociology, etc.
II. Knowledge 0 subject.
Sociological knowledge levels
1. Theoretical knowledge: sociological theories; hypotheses; Typology and other forms of theoretical knowledge.
2. Empirical knowledge: statistical data; facts; Classifications and other forms of empirical knowledge.
III. Methods of sociology
On scale application
1. general scientific (for example, statistical, mathematical methods).
2. Promotional (for example, survey methods).
By level of knowledge
1. Theoretical (axiomatic method, hypothetical and deductive method, etc.).
2. Empirical (observation, survey, document analysis, etc.).
According to the research stages
1. Methods of collection. 2 Processing Methods 3. Methods of Analysis.
IV. Sociological research
Types and levels of research
By character of knowledge
1. Methodological.
2. Nemetodological
By level of knowledge
1. Theoretical. 2. Empirical.
By research orientation
1. Fundamental. 2. Applied.
According to the subject of research
1. Sociological.
2. Interdisciplinary. 3. Complex (socio-economic, socio-political, social and psychological, marketing, etc.).
Stages of research
1. Methodological 2. Empirical. 3. Theoretical.
Directions of research (on the subject and object of the study)
1. Social groups.
2. Social institutions.
3. Social organizations.
4. Social Values, Norms, Traditions
5. Industry (Sociology of Labor, Education Sociology ... etc.)
These "floors" of the methodological pyramid give a general systematic idea of \u200b\u200bthe relationship of the methodology of various areas and levels of sociological knowledge. Here we discover and specific sociological research in which the heuristic function of the generalocial theory is implemented and what is the core of this course.
We have already talked about the meaning of polyparadigmality for sociology, as theoretical science, when possible the coexistence of various ideas and about the subject of sociology, and on the initial principles of building social knowledge, as well as how to achieve it. Consider briefly the main paradigms - macrosociological theories, which are as a result and the current tool of theoretical knowledge of social reality: structural functionalism; Neoevolutionism; theory of social change; theory of social conflict; theory of social systems; structuralism; genetic method; Comparative historical method.
First among equal Structural functionalism. The most fully foundations of functionalism developed from the times of O. Contamulated Tolkot Parsons(1902 - 1979). He sought to substantiate the central idea of \u200b\u200bhis macrojector - the idea of \u200b\u200b"social order", in which consent (consensus) dominates over the conflict. In the center of its conceptual scheme there is a process of interaction between social systems, the quality of which is determined by personal characteristics and limited culture of society.
Neoavolutionism.Neoavolutionist theories for the most part are trying to combine the idea of \u200b\u200bsystemic with the idea of \u200b\u200bdevelopment for structural functionalism. One of the first, in response to the criticism of structural functionalism, such an attempt was made by the founder of T. Parsons theory. In books written together with Edward.it is put forward to the position that all the current systems, if they manage to survive, are faced with four important problems. The first is the provision of resources from the environment and their distribution within the system. This Parsons and Shilz process called "adaptation". The second - systems must be able to mobilize resources to achieve certain goals and establish a hierarchy of goals. This is the process of "sacrifications". The third - relations inside the system should be coordinated, regulated and, consequently, have an established mechanism for integration. Finally, the fourth problem is to find for individuals forming a system, such a motivation that would ensure the compliance of their activities to the objectives of the system, thus removing the existing emotional stresses of meeting the needs of members of society and creating a mechanism to "maintain value standard" personality .
Parsons took another attempt to combine the idea of \u200b\u200bevolutionism with its sociological scheme. He turned to the problem of man and tried to explain the process of complicating social systems through the all-expanding differentiation of functions performed by individuals in the system. He argued that the process of increasing differentiation of role-playing functions had an impact on the evolution of human societies and specific social systems. In the early stages of human evolution, Parsons noted, various role-playing functions were carried out by one person. In the modern world there was differentiation of role-playing functions that began to be performed by various faces. Thus, he made the conclusion that modern societies evolved into highly differentiated structures capable of carrying out effective surroundings. Thus, they have achieved not only economic, but also cultural productivity, while there was no idea about which in the early stages. And here Parsons managed to rise over functionalism, adapting it to the requirements of a developing evolutionary approach. However, then evolutionism lost his spirit and progress inherent in him. The content of social evolution was carried by Parsons, to the complication of the system and the need to increase its adaptive ability.
Theory of social change.The theory of social changes in sociology exists in several modifications. Robert Merton(R. 1910 - 2002), which was under the strong influence of the ideas of P. Sorokina and T. Parsons, developed a model of "social change" in the traditions of structural and functional analysis. Based on the methodological principles of this paradigm, Merton declared a refusal to create a common sociological theory. In his book, he proposed a system of multiple models of functional analysis at the level of specific social systems and communal services. Trying to overcome the metaphysicity of the structural-functional approach of Parsons, Monto along with the concept of function introduced the concept of "dysfunction", i.e. The possibilities of deviation of the system from the adopted regulatory model, which, in turn, should entail or a new stage in the system adaptation to an existing order, or a certain change in the system of norms. In this way, Merton tried to enter the idea of \u200b\u200bchange in functionalism. But he limited the change in the "middle" level - the level of a particular social system, having tied it with the problem of the "disorder" of the system - with the concept of annomia.
Besides developed by Merton "Structural and dysfunctional" modelsocial change, there are a number of other - single-factor and multifactor - models. General that characterizes all the models - this is an attempt to find out the reasons for the formation and development of certain social phenomena, i.e. An attempt to give them a causal explanation.
During the long history of the development of sociological thought, the reasons of social changes were called a variety of factors: natural selection (Spencer); geographical environment (K. Marx); Climate (R. Gloss); Population (R. Malthus); race (A. Gobino); Outstanding personality (F. Nietzsche); War (A. Tynby); technology (u. ogborn); division of labor and cooperation (E. Durkheim); Economy (W. Rosto); Ideology (M. Weber) and others. In these social change, the structural and functional approach was opposed to the "causal" analytical model. That is, as an alternative to regulatory determinism, several types of determinism (causal conditional) were put forward - from biological to technological and economic. However, the general point of view on social changes in the framework of this approach did not work out. Note that now social synergistic is actively involved in this problem.
Theories of social conflict.The theory of social conflict was created on the basis of criticism of the metaphysical elements of the Parsons structuralism, which was accused of over-emphasizing attention to comfort, in the oblivion of social conflict, in refusing the material interests of the central place in human activity, in unjustified optimism, in emphasising the importance of integration and consent and refinement of radicality Changes and instability. At the sources of the theory of "social conflict" stood an American sociologist Ch.R. Mills. Relying on the ideas of K. Marx, T. Weblein, M. Weber, V. Pareto and Moska, Mills argued that any macrosociological analysis of something is only if it is associated with the problems of the power of power between conflicting social conflicting groups.
A clearer formulation of the Theory of "Social Conflict" received in the works of the German sociologist R. Damarendorf, English - T. Bottomor, American - L. Kozer and other Western sociologists. Justifying the main provisions of the theory of social conflict, Ralph Daerendorf(R. 1929) argues that all complex organizations are based on the redistribution of power. What people who have power are capable of using various funds, among which the main thing is to coercion, seek the benefits of people with less power. The possibilities of the distribution of power and authority are extremely limited, and therefore members of any society are struggling for their redistribution. This struggle may not appear openly, but the foundations for it exist in any social structure.
Thus, according to Daarendorf, there are no economic reasons for human interest conflicts, and the desire of people to redistribute the power is the causes of political. The source of conflicts becomes the so-called Homo Politicus ("Political Man"), and since one redistribution of power entails the turn of another, social conflicts are immanently inherent in any society. Their inevitability and constancy serve as a source of satisfaction of interests, mitigating the manifestations of various human passions. "All relations of individuals, built on incompatible purposes, and ... are social conflict relations"
Theories of social systems.A peculiar synthesis of the structural and functional equilibrium model and the model of social conflict was the general theory of social systems, usually formulated interms of a functional approach. The development of this direction continues traditionally naturalistic, the positivist branch, when the object of sociology - social relations and structures - is interpreted in the concepts close to the intestinal scientific approach. These relations and structures are considered as absolutely independent of the will of people, from their intentions and aspirations. And then, the behavior of people is determined by the "imperatives of the system" due to the focus of their actions and dictating the types of decisions taken. Supporters of this approach are looking for conditions that provide positive consequences for a system, and often the efficiency of the "work" of the system is estimated regardless of the analysis of the possible negative consequences of certain solutions for people. Minding a person's characteristics to some one quality, such as tothe needs, motivations or installations really make theoretical models easier, but they (models) cease to comply with the reality of social processes analyzed by them.
It became more apparent when trying to empirically check theoretical provisions that put forward in line with this approach. As a result, within the framework of the system approach, it turned out to be impossible to get from the question of the qualitative specifics of the object of sociological research. For the critical assessment of this problem, J. Gurvich was extremely important, T. Adorno, H. Selvsky, M. Polani, other sociologists and representatives of philosophy of science. They were forced to seek the reasons for the failures that were comprehended by both empirical sociology and the macrosetory of society, based on assumptions peculiar to natural sciences. Such reasons were, first of all, ignoring the conscious creative activities of the individual in the creation and development of the social process. Giving ideas and methods of natural scientific knowledge is by no means of their broad ideological functions.
Structuralism.In France, the role of a structural and functional approach tosocial reality played structuralism - the influential direction submitted by such prominent social philosophers and spiologists as M. Fouco, K. Levi-Strauss and others. Superlabs of structuralism are the search for ways to build a new social reality. The source model for it was the language, as initially and transparently structured education. France structuralists are followers of French linguistic schools of the first quarter of the twentieth century. The methodology of structuralism is based on such theoretical language disciplines such as structural linguistics, semiotics, as well as the concept of accurate and natural sciences. Such a "hyperrationalist" approach to social reality is to focus on the presence in all human manifestations - public institutions, cultural creativity, etc. - a certain general substance - "collective unconscious".
Claude Levi-Strauss,one of the largest cultures of anthropologists of the twentieth century, studying the structure of thinking and life of primitive peoples, concludes that the historical approach ("Diaphrous section" of society) only facilitates understanding of how certain social institutions arise. The main goal of the scientific research of society is "Simultaneous section", tracking how the collective unconscious forms symbolic structures This society - his rituals, cultural traditions, speech forms. The study of historical and ethnic facts is only a step towards comprehending the collective informed.
Socioistoric studies of various cultures of the past Misheweux (1926 - 1984), (which he refers to the "discourses") - the epoch of the Middle Ages, the early and late revival, classicism, are devoted to the most weakly studied, by the time, the areas and regions of human existence. Among them (collective unconscious) disease, deviant behavior, sexuality. Foucault takes on this basis "discursive" (instant) structures, implying under these designations. The structure of knowledge and regulatory systems operating at various periods of history, in this way, to the structure of social institutions. According to Fouco, a truly scientific, objective study is, it is possible to more severely and a detailed study of each given mental structure, as the structure of the collective unconscious in its relationship with the structure of power.
Along with the specified macrostories, there are also a number macrociological approaches.Among them, a genetic method, a comparative historical method and other . Genetic method(from Greek. Genesis - origin) - a way to study social phenomena and processes based on the analysis of their origin and development. It implies the mixing of the diversity of phenomena to fundamental, initial elements or states and the removal of the studied phenomenon. The greatest spread of the genetic method received in the social sciences in the XIX century. Russian scientist M. M. Kovalevsky (1851 - 1916) put forward the idea of \u200b\u200bconstructing genetic sociology,which would be a question about the origin of public life and public institutions. With the help of the genetic method, sociology should, in his opinion, explain the interaction of various sides of public life in the past, the emergence of social institutions, religious beliefs. In the XX century The genetic method is opposed to a structural and functional approach. Domestic sociology pays great attention to the analysis of social processes with the help of a genetic method, studying the emergence of social institutions, classes, social systems.
Comparative historical method- A variety of historical method, with the help of which the general and special in social phenomena is detected, the knowledge of various historical stages of the development of the same phenomenon or two different coexistent phenomena is achieved. The combination of comparative and historical methods allows to obtain and compare various temporary sections in the development of social phenomenon, to identify changes in it, reconstruct development trends. Already Aristotle has widely used this method when analyzing various states in antiquity. The emergence of sociology as science was associated with the use of a comparative historical method. O. Kont, Spencer saw in it the main scientific method of sociology. The first successes in ethnography, cultural and social anthropology are associated with the use of the comparative historical method. This method was widely used by the Russian sociologist M. M. Kovalevsky, especially when studying early forms of civilization, French sociologist E. Durkheim, examining in comparative sociology its most creature, since it seeks to stop being descriptive and find ways to explain social facts. This method has been widely used in the study of various cultures and religions. German sociologist M. BEBER. In modern Western sociology, it is aware of the need to rethink and modify the comparative historical method. It is used in the cultural morphology A. Toynby, P. Sorokina, who continued the traditions of a comparative study of various civilizations, various types of cultural values \u200b\u200band social
One of the important stages of sociological research is actually a collection of sociological information. It is at this stage that new knowledge is acquired, the subsequent generalization of which allows you to deeper to understand and explain the real world, as well as to predict the development of events in the future. To this end, sociology uses various types and methods of collecting social information, the use of which directly depends on the objectives, objectives of the study, conditions, time and place of its implementation.
The method of sociological research is a system of operations, procedures and techniques for the establishment of social factors, their systematization and analysis of analysis. Methodical instruments include methods (methods) of primary data collection, rules for the implementation of selective studies, ways to build social indicators and other procedures.
One of the types of research is a pilot machine, i.e. An intelligence or trial study. This is the simplest type of sociological research, since it solves the problem of its contents, covers small surveyed aggregates. The purpose of the aerobatic research can be, firstly, a preliminary collection of information for additional knowledge about the subject and object of research, to clarify and adjust hypotheses and objectives, and secondly, prior to mass research, the procedure for checking the toolkit to collect primary information for its correctness.
Descriptive sociological research is a more complex type of sociological study that allows you to draw up a relatively holistic representation of the considered phenomenon, its structural elements. Descriptive research is applied in cases where the object of the study is a relatively greater community of people characterized by various features.
Analytical sociological study is the most in-depth study that allows not only to describe the phenomenon, but also give a causal explanation of its functioning. If during the descriptive study is established, is there a bond between the characteristics of the studied phenomenon, then during the analytical study it is detected whether the discovered relationship is caused.
Point (or one-time) study gives information about the status and quantitative characteristics of any phenomenon or process at the time of studying it.
Point studies repeating through certain intervals are called repeated. A special type of re-study is panel, which provides for a non-repeated, regular study of the same objects.
The most common method of collecting sociological information is a survey that allows you to collect the necessary, high-quality, diverse information in a large area for a short time. The survey is a method of collecting data in which sociologist directly or indirectly addresses questions to a certain population of people (respondents). The survey method is used in some cases: 1) When the problem under study is not sufficiently provided with documentary sources of information or when such sources are generally absent; 2) when the subject of the study or its individual characteristics are not available for observation; 3) When the subject of study is elements of public or individual consciousness: the needs, interests, motivation, mood, values, persuasion of people, etc.; 4) As a control (additional) method to expand the ability to describe and analyze the studied characteristics and for rechecking the data obtained by other methods.
According to the forms and conditions of communication sociologist with the respondent, written polls (survey) and oral (interviews) are distinguished, which are carried out at the place of residence, at the place of work, in the target audiences. The survey may be full-time (personal) and absentee (questioning with a newspaper, television, by mail, telephone), as well as group and individual.
The type of survey type in the practice of applied sociology is the questionnaire. This methodology allows you to collect information about social facts and social activities with almost no limitations, due to the fact that the survey is an anonymous nature, and the intercourse with the respondent is carried out through the intermediary - a questionnaire. That is, the respondent himself fills the questionnaire (questionnaire), and it can do it both in the presence of an outline, and without it.
The survey results in many ways depend on how correctly the questionnaire is composed (sample form of the questionnaire, see Appendix 1). As the main tool for collecting information, the questionnaire should consist of three parts: introductory, primary and final. In the introductory part of the questionnaire it is necessary to reflect the following information: who conducts research, what is its goal, what is the method of filling the questionnaire, as well as an indication of the anonymity of the survey.
The main part of the questionnaire contains directly the questions themselves. All questions used in the questionnaires can be classified by content and in form. The first group (in content) includes questions about the facts of consciousness, facts of behavior. Questions about the facts of consciousness reveal opinions, wishes, expectations, the plans of the respondents. Questions about the facts of behavior are aimed at identifying the motivation of actions, actions of large social groups of people. In the form, the questionnaires may be open (i.e. not containing response tips), closed (containing a complete set of answers) and half-closed (containing a set of answer options, as well as the possibility of free response), direct and indirect.
The final section of the questionnaire must contain questions about the personality of the respondent who form a kind of "passport" of the questionnaire, i.e. Social signs of the respondent (sex, age, nationality, activity, education, etc.) are identified.
A sufficiently common method of sociological research is an interview. When interviewing, the contact between the interviewer and the respondent is carried out directly, "with an eye on the eye." At the same time, the interviewer himself asks questions, directs a conversation with each individual respondent, records the responses received. This is more costly in time, compared with the questionnaire, the survey method, having, in addition, a number of problems. In particular, the restriction of the scope of application due to the impossibility of observing anonymity, the possibility of influencing the interviewer on the quality and content of the responses ("interviewer effect"). Interviewing is used, as a rule, for the purposes of a test (aerobatic) study, to study public opinion on any problem, to survey experts. The interview can be carried out at the place of work, at the place of residence, as well as by phone.
Depending on the technique and technology, there is a standardized, non-standardized and focused interview. A standardized (formalized) interview is a technique in which the communication of the interviewer and the respondent is strictly regulated by the predetermined questionnaires and instructions. The interviewer must adhere to the wording of questions and their sequences. The focused interview is aimed at collecting opinions, evaluations about a particular situation, phenomena, its causes and consequences. The specifics of this interview is that the respondent meets in advance with the subject of the conversation, is preparing for her by studying the literature recommended him. The interviewer prepares in advance the list of questions that he can ask in a free sequence, but he must receive an answer for each question. Non-standardized (free) interview is a technique at which only the topic of the conversation is determined in advance, around which is a free conversation between the interviewer and the respondent. The direction, the logical structure and the sequence of the conversation depends solely on who conducts a survey, from its ideas about the subject of discussion.
Quite often, sociologists resort to this research method as observation. Observation is the method of collecting information at which the immediate registration of the events occurring.
Observation as a method is borrowed from natural sciences and is a way to know the world. As a scientific method, it differs from simple everyday observations. First, observation is carried out with a well-defined goal, focused on collecting information necessary for sociologist, i.e. Before the observation, the question is always solved by "What to watch?". Secondly, observation is always carried out according to a certain plan, i.e. The question is solved "How to watch?". Thirdly, these observations must be fixed in a certain order. That is, sociological observation is a directional, systematic, direct auditory and visual perception and registration of significant objectives from the point of view of the goals and objectives of the study of social processes, phenomena, situations, facts.
Depending on the nature of the observation process, its following types are distinguished: formalized and unformalized, controlled and uncontrolled, inclusive and unfinished, field and laboratory, random and systematic, structuralized and non-structuralized, etc. The choice of the type of observation is determined by the objectives of the study.
A special type of observation is self-surveillance in which the individual (observation object) records certain points in their behavior under the program proposed by the researcher (for example, through the maintenance of a diary).
The main advantage of this method is the direct personal contact of the sociologist with the studied phenomenon (object) - to a certain extent is the problem of the method, its weak place. First, it is difficult to cover a large number of phenomena, therefore local events and facts are observed, which may result in errors in the interpretation of the actions of people, their motives of their behavior. Secondly, errors in interpretation may be caused by a subjective assessment of the observed processes and phenomena by the observer itself. Therefore, the collection of primary information by the method of observation must be accompanied by the use of various control methods, including: observation observation, re-monitor, etc. The observation is considered to be reliable if when recurring observation with the same object and under the same conditions a similar result was obtained.
A huge number of tasks facing sociology is associated with the study of processes occurring in small groups. To analyze intragroup (interpersonal) relations in small groups, this method is used as sociometry. This technique was proposed in the 1930s of the twentieth century J. Moreno. This study uses a specific type of survey, which is most close to psychological testing (often called a sociometric test). The respondents are invited to answer who from the group members they would like to see their partners in a particular situation, and who, on the contrary, reject. Then, according to special methods, the number of positive and negative elections for each member of the group in various situations is analyzed. With the help of a sociometric procedure, it is possible, firstly, to identify the degree of cohesion - disunity in the group; secondly, to determine the positions of each member of the group in terms of sympathy-antipathy, while identifying the "leader" and "outsider"; And finally, to identify separate cohesion inside the group, the subgroups with their informal leader.
The specificity of the sociometric survey is that its conduct can be conducted anonymously, i.e. Sociometric questionnaires are nominated, which means that the study affects the vital interests of each of the members of the group. Therefore, this methodology requires compliance with a number of ethical requirements, including non-disclosure of the research results of the Group members, participation in the study of all potential respondents.
As a type of in-depth, analytical sociological research and method for collecting information on factors influencing the change in the state of certain social phenomena and processes, as well as the degree and results of this impact, an experiment is applied. In sociology, this method came from natural sciences and is aimed at checking the hypotheses relative to the reasons between social phenomena. The general logic of the experiment is that with the choice of some experimental group and premises it into an unusual situation (under the influence of a certain factor), trace the direction, the amount, stability of the change in the characteristics of the characteristics of interest to the researcher.
According to the nature of the experimental situation, the experiments are divided into field and laboratory. In the field experiment, the study object is in natural conditions of its functioning. In the laboratory experiment, the situation, and often experimental groups form artificially.
According to the logical structure of proof, hypotheses distinguish linear and parallel experiment. In a linear experiment, one group is exposed to the analysis, which is both control and experimental. In a parallel experiment, two groups participate at the same time. The characteristics of the first, control, group remain constant during the entire period of the experiment, and the second, experimental, group change. According to the results of the experiment, the characteristics of groups are compared, and it is concluded about the magnitude and causes of the changes.
By the nature of the object of the study, real and mental experiments differ. For a real experiment, targeted intervention in reality is characterized, checking explanatory hypotheses by planned change in social activities. In a mental experiment, no real phenomena are exposed to hypotheses, but information about them. And real, and mental experiments are carried out, as a rule, not on the general population, but on the model, i.e. Representative sample.
According to the specific task, scientific and applied experiments differ. Scientific experiments are aimed at obtaining a new knowledge of the specified social phenomena, and applied to obtain a practical result (social, economic, etc.).
The experiment is one of the most complex methods for collecting social information. To identify the effectiveness of the experiment, its multiple conduct is necessary, during which the basic solutions of the social problem are checked, as well as the purity of the experiment. When conducting an experiment as additional methods for collecting information, a survey and observation can be used.
One of the important methods for collecting social information is the analysis of documents used to extract from documentary sources of sociological information necessary for solving research tasks. This method allows you to get information about the past events, which is no longer possible. A documentary source of information - a document - for a sociologist is all that some kind of "visible" records information. Documents include various written sources (archives, press, reference publications, literary works, personal documents), statistical data, audio and video materials.
Two basic methods of analyzing documents are distinguished: informalized (traditional) and formalized (content analysis). Traditional analysis is based on perception, understanding, understanding and interpreting the content of documents in accordance with the aim of the study. For example, whether the document is a script or copy, if a copy, as far as it is reliable, who is the author of the document, with which goals it is created. Formalized analysis of documents (content analysis) is designed to receive information from large arrays of documents not available to traditional intuitive analysis. The essence of this method is that its signs (phrases, words) stand out in the document, which can be considered and which significantly reflect the content of the document. For example, the thematic sections of the newspaper (frequency of their occur), the size of the newspaper area (lines) of the reader audience, as well as the informational policy of this newspaper, reflect the interest of the reader audience, as well as the information policy of this newspaper.
The final stage of empirical sociological research implies processing, analysis and interpretation of data, obtaining empirically substantiated generalizations, conclusions and recommendations. The results of scientific analysis are usually generalized in the scientific report, which contains information on solving tasks set in research. The report outlines the sequence of the implementation program, the analysis of the resulting empirical data is substantiated and the conclusions are justified and practical recommendations are given. In addition, applications are given in which digital and graphic indicators are given, as well as all methodical materials (questionnaires, observation diaries, etc.).
Key concepts of theme: Respondent, aerobatic research, sociological survey, survey, interviewing, included observation, inconquent observation, sociometry, experiment, content analysis.
Each science has its own tools, a set of methods, with which research activities are carried out and is a truth. A set of specific research methods allows for tracking processes occurring in society, i.e. spend Applied Sociological Study -the system of logically consecutive methodological, methodological and organizational and technical procedures subordinate to a single goal is to obtain accurate objective data on the social phenomenon.
Specific type of sociological research due to the nature of the goal put forward tasks, in accordance with what distinguishes three main types Sociological research:
- intelligence;
- descriptive;
- analytical.
Intelligence Research - The simplest type of applied sociological analysis, solves very limited tasks in its content; As a rule, it covers small surveyed aggregate and is based on the instruments-lost program and compressed in terms of methodological tools - a package of tools designed to collect primary information (blank interviews, mass or expert questionnaire, sampling projects, a mathematical analysis of primary information etc.). This type of sociological research can be applied:
- at the preliminary stage of deep and large-scale studies for checking the methodological tools and its correction;
- to collect "capeful" information about the object of study;
- in a situation where the subject of sociological research has not been studied little or is not studied at all, in order to obtain additional information about the subject and object of research, to clarify some tasks and hypothesis of research, as well as its methodical toolkit.
In an intelligent sociological study, such methods of collecting primary information are commonly used, as an interview or a questionnaire, a group interview with the method of focus groups, allowing it to be carried out in a short time.
Descriptive study It is a more complex type of sociological analysis than an intelligence study, since according to its goals and objectives, it involves obtaining empirical information that gives a relatively holistic representation of the object being studied, phenomenon. The study of the descriptive type requires the development of a more complex and detailed program of research using a methodically tested toolkit, which ensures its greater reliability in the process of studying the most important elements of the object under study. This study is usually applied when the subject of the study is a relatively large community of people, characterized by a variety of characteristics (population of the city, district, region, region, etc.).
Analytical study - The most complicated and deep type of sociological analysis. Its purpose consists not just in the description of the structural elements of the studied phenomenon, but also in clarifying causal relationships underlying the prevalence, dynamics, stability / instability of this phenomenon. Analytical study considers a complex of factors affecting the object of the study, allocating among them the main and secondary, temporary and sustainable, explicit and latent (hidden), managed and uncontrollable. The program of such a study is working care carefully and takes a long time, since it is often necessary to collect preliminary information about the individual sides of the phenomena under study, referring to an intelligence or descriptive study. In the course of the analytical study, a complex of sociological methods are applied, which complement each other - various forms of polling, analysis of documents, observation.
Social experiment It is a kind of analytical research. Its conduct involves the creation of a special experimental situation by changing the usual conditions for the functioning of the object under study.
Sociological research involves a certain sequence.
In the first stage, the study program is formed: The purpose of the study, its tasks, a plan, hypothesis based on the relevance of the selected issues, determines the methods of collecting information, methods for its processing, and the timing of the study, etc.
At the second stage of sociological research, the primary collection of primary information is carried out. At the same time, various methods of collecting information can be applied - a sociological survey in the form of survey or interviewing; Content analysis (recording researchers, discharge from documents and other information obtained from various sources of documentary); Observation, experiment, etc.
In the third stage, digital (electronic) processing of obtained information collected during a sociological study based on special computer programs.
At the fourth stage, the final (analytical), the analysis of processed information is carried out, the preparation of the scientific report on the results of the study, formulation of conclusions and recommendations.
Types of methods of sociological research
Sociological survey It is a specific sociological method of research, without which no sociological research is required. This sociological empirical method is indispensable when collecting a limited amount of information in a large number of people and can perform in two types:
- when the respondent itself fills the questionnaire in the presence of an outline or without it; may be full-time and absentee; Among the forms of absentee survey is the most common postal survey, as well as the press (through a newspaper, magazine); A significant advantage of the questionnaire is the principle of anonymity, but even it does not guarantee that the respondent's responses (responded) will be true, so the researcher should always take this factor in the analysis of the information received;
- that suggests personal communication with the respondent when the researcher himself sets questions and records the answers. It is carried out in a form or direct interview ("face to face"), or mediated (for example, telephone interview).
The participant of the sociological survey that answers the questions of the interviewer (researcher) is called the respondent.
In the system of applied sociology methods, mass surveys and specialized, presented as an expert survey, distinguish between the expert survey.
Expert survey As a kind of sociological survey on the empirical level, allows you to check the accuracy and objectivity of the information obtained on the basis of the opinion of specialists in the study area.
Mass surveys apply in cases where it is necessary to poll a large number of people. The main source of information in the mass survey is demographic, socio-professional, ethnic, religious and other populations.
Sociological observation It is an important method of applied sociology and is a targeted systematic fixation by the researcher of the properties and features of the studied phenomenon, an object. When observed, the behavioral features of people who are recorded by the researcher in the form or the observation diary, in photo and video filming, etc.; Primary information is collected, which includes the analysis of the entire observation process in all its diversity (behavior, emotions, facial expressions of the participants of the experiment, etc.). Observation as a scientific method is widely used in psychology and social psychology specializing in the study of people's behavior, but in sociology this method also found its subject fields allows you to successfully solve many issues of sociological analysis.
Content analysis It is a quantitative analysis of any kind of sociological information, in particular documents - protocols, reports, publications of various kinds, letters, etc. This sociological empirical method helps reduce the subjectivity of high-quality analysis obtained as a result of a sociological research of information. Currently, the use of this method is associated with the wide use of computer technologies.
The main feature of the development of the modern information society is networks that connect among themselves people, institutions and states. Distribution of Internet practices, or online practitioners, could not not affect the development of the methodology of sociological science examining society and all the variety of processes occurring in it.
Thus, at the "round table" of the III of the All-Russian Congress, which took place in Moscow in October 2008, N. V. Korytnikova was marked by the problem of applying the online survey method in sociology. Sociologists, as a rule, it is not enough information received only by traditional methods for collecting and processing information; They require the methods of interactive and affordable interaction with "online" -prints. To provide access to information from various sources, as well as electronic interaction with respondents, new processing tools and receipt of information similar to global search engines and email are used. However, despite the fact that society becomes the network, Internet technology capabilities when creating new software for the work of sociologists with empirical information, not enough attention is paid.
Application of online surveys in empirical sociology requires an analysis of the representativeness of the data mined in this way, since questions arise about the reliability of information obtained over the Internet, as well as the procedure for collecting information in the online survey process. While there are no answers to these questions, which prevents the dissemination of online methods in sociology and a serious attitude towards them of the sociological scientific community.
The same subject of research may be subject to sociological analysis several times, thanks to which it is possible to trace its development in the dynamics. Depending on this, in applied sociology, it is customary to distinguish between point and re-examination.
Pottle (single) study Provides information about the object being studied at the time of study, but does not allow to draw conclusions about the dynamics of its changes and development trends.
Repeated research Conducted throughout a certain time after a specific period of time based on uniform programs and methodological tools in order to collect information about the phenomenon, the object and its comparison in order to identify the dynamics of the object being studied. At the same time, re-research has its own characteristics associated with the selected set (a set of respondents).
If, for several studies, the same persons (respondents) remain their participants, then such a study is called panel.
In general, the classification of species of sociological research is shown in Fig. 1.1.
Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation
"Russian Correspondence Institute of Textile and Light Industry"
Faculty of Economics and Management
Department of Sociology
TEST
On the topic: "Methodology and methods of sociological research"
Performed: Course III Student
Specialist. 080502.
CIFRE O / W - 408074
Flow 1 Pole Lydia Anatolyevna
Lecturer: Avdeeva Tatyana Ivanovna
Rating: _______________
Date:_________________
Signature:______________
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Introduction ........................................................................ 3.
Characteristics of the main methods for collecting sociological information .............................. ...... 4
Chapter 1. Poll method ................................................ ... 4
. Questioning ................................................... 4.
1.2. Postal poll ............................................................................................ ... 6
. Press survey ................................................ ... 7
. Interview ............................................................ 7.
Chapter 2. Observation method ....................................... ... 8
Chapter 3. Method of analyzing documents ........................ 10
Chapter 4. Experiment Method ................................. ... 12
Conclusion .................................................................. 15.
List of used sources ..................... ... 16
Introduction
In modern sociology, two different approaches to methods for obtaining primary social information are coexisted - quantitative and qualitative. The difference between them is that the methods for obtaining the initial data directly depend on the idea of \u200b\u200bthe very subject of sociology: either it is a discipline designed to explore nadindividual structures that fasten society into a holistic system, or this is the knowledge of the everyday life of people and the meanings that they attach their Casual actions.
Sociology- Science learning society. This science is designed to learn public opinion on one or another issues, and thereby contribute to the improvement of the conditions of social (public) life of each of us. Of course, it is not only about society as a whole, but also about the person, as an integral part of society.
Depending on the source of the information, it can be primary when the information is obtained first-hand during observation (or survey) or secondary, if the information is obtained from already published materials. In the form of fixing, information is divided into: written documents (text formation); statistical data (digital formation form); iconographic documentation (cinema-, photocutionation); Phonetic documents.
And how to find out the opinion of society? What are the methods of collecting sociological information?
The purpose of this work is the consideration of methods for collecting sociological information:
1. The survey method;
2. Observation method;
3. Method of analyzing documents;
4. Experimental method.
Characteristics of the main methods for collecting sociological information:
Chapter 1. Survey Method
One of the main methods in sociology is a survey method, which allows in a short time to obtain primary sociological information from a large number of people.
Interview - This is the method of collecting data, in which sociologist directly addresses questions to respondents. A survey is used in cases where it is necessary to obtain information on the subjective state of the person, the motivation of actions, opinions, relations to events, needs and intentions.
The specificity of the survey method in sociology is that when using its use, the source of primary sociological information is a person (respondent) is a direct participant in the studied social processes and phenomena.
There are two types of survey associated with the written and oral form of communication with respondents - questioning or interviewing. They are based on the set of issues offered by respondents, the answers to which are formed by primary sociological information.
The survey method based on a sufficient number of trained labelingers or interviewers allows you to intervene the large complicities of people and receive a variety of information as soon as possible. Also the advantage of the method is the breadth of the coverage of various areas of social practice. However, the information received from respondents reflects the reality studied only in the form of it "challenged" in consciousness. Therefore, the equation is not always possible between the objective reality, which serves as a subject of research, and data reflecting the opinions of people. It is always important to take into account the possible distortion of information obtained by the survey method.
Journalists, teachers, social security services workers and many other social practice uses this method to benefit their information.
1.1. Questioning
Questioning - A survey in which the respondent (the one who answers questions) receives and gives answers in writing. Questions and answers are contained in the questionnaires.
It can be group or individual.
Group survey is widely used at the place of work, studies. Questionnaires are distributed in the audience where respondents included in the sample are invited. Usually one abroad works with a group of 15-20 people. At the same time, one hundred percent return of the questionnaire is provided, respondents have the opportunity to receive an additional, individual consultation on filling techniques, and the questionnaire, collecting questionnaires, can monitor the quality of their fill.
With individual questionnaire, questionnaires are distributed in the workplace or at the place of residence (studies) of respondents, and the return time is negotiated in advance.
Sociological profile- This is a combined system of issues aimed at identifying the quantitative quality characteristics of the object and the subject of analysis.
All questions used in questionnaires can be classified:
Questions about the facts of consciousness Aims to identify opinions, wishes, expectations of people, their plans for the future. They may concern any objects associated with the personality of the interviewed or its environment and have a direct relationship that have no direct relationship. Questions about behavioral facts Detect actions, actions, results of people's activities. Questions about the personality of the respondent Participated into all sociological questionnaires, forming a block of socio-demographic issues that detect gender, age, education, profession, marital status and other characteristics of the respondent.
in form (open and closed, straight and indirect);
Closed question called the one in which a complete set of answers options is given. Types of such a question - alternative and nealternative. An alternative question implies the opportunity to choose the respondent of just one answer. Unauthorized issues allow the respondent of several options for answers.
Open questionsdo not contain prompts and do not impose answer options for answers. Open questions make it possible to express opinions in the entire fullness and the smallest details. It is with the help of such issues that the most complete information can be collected than when using closed issues.
When Questionnaire Questions require a critical attitude to themselves to them, surrounding people, assessing negative phenomena, the researcher applies questions in indirect form. When designing such issues, they proceed from the assumption that respondents rely on their own experience, however, they report it in indifferent form, which removes the sharpness of critical assessments characteristic of the statements from the first person.
for functions (basic and non-core)
Maintenance Questions questionnaires are aimed at collecting information about the content of the investigated phenomenon. More abundant - to identify the addressee of the main question (questions filters), checking the sincerity of the answers (control issues).
The profile has a strict structure and consists of several parts. The first part is introduced, it contains an appeal to the respondent and tells about the objectives of the study, guarantees anonymity and clarifies the rules for filling the questionnaire.
The second part is the main one, it contains questions that are grouped into semantic blocks. In accordance with the methodology for developing a questionnaire, simple and contact issues, basic and complex questions are used. Simple and contact issues are associated with adaptation and are aimed at creating a common positive installation to a survey. Basic and complex issues are aimed at collecting the necessary related information research objectives. At the end of the questionnaire there are questions that contribute to the removal of tension. They are invited to express opinion on the topic of the survey.
In the third part of the questionnaire - a block of socio-demographic data. This is a "passport", which contains questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. It includes the following contents: gender, age, education, profession, position, marital status. Depending on the objectives of the study, the number of questions in the passport can be increased or decreased. Sometimes "Passport" is placed at the beginning of the questionnaires.
The final part of the questionnaire is grateful to the respondent for its filling.
1.2. Postal survey
Postal survey - Variety of survey. It is legitimate to consider as an effective acceptance of the acquisition of primary information. In the most general form, it consists in mailing a questionnaire and receiving postal answers to them. The important advantage of the postal survey is the simplicity of the organization. The advantages of the method include the fact that it allows you to simultaneously conduct a survey on a large area, including in hard-to-reach areas. Another advantage of the information being taken under consideration is that the questionnaire is filled only by the respondent. Thereby there is no contact of the respondent and the questionnair, and therefore the psychological barrier observed sometimes with an individual survey.
Also a positive property of the postal survey is the ability of the respondent to choose a convenient time for it to fill the questionnaire.
Disadvantages of the postal survey - incomplete return of the questionnaire.
Start a survey with light questions interesting in content. Close questions about the content form form in blocks. There is some negative connection between the volume of the questionnaire and the level of their return. Nevertheless, it is more expedient to increase the interest of the questioned to the questionnaire by using a number of additional questions, rather than reducing it. It is recommended to print a questionnaire in printing houses, use attractive name and design.
Simultaneously with the sending of the questionnaire, the accompanying letter is sent in the same envelope, where, referring to the respondent by name and patronymic or last name, repeat the request for participation in the postal survey, detail the objectives of the study, emphasize its practical orientation, lead the address and telephone of the research organization. Together with the questionnaire, they also send an envelope with the return address printed on it, in it the respondent will return the recipient's completed questionnace.
About 2-3 weeks after sending the questionnaires sent reminders.
To determine the overall logic of the presentation of the methodology and methods of sociological research, we will recall the well-known financial pyramid and we introduce the formula "Mm-M", where the letters denote the "methodology", "method" and "method", respectively. Such a sequence and logic of presenting the topic concerning research tools is suitable for a textbook on any discipline and will demonstrate the dependence of the tools used by the researcher from its general theoretical (and even ideological) positions, as well as continuity in the development of various approaches to the collection and analysis of information.
So, we introduce the values \u200b\u200bof the categories mentioned.
The concept of "methodology" is adopted to designate the system of principles and ways to organize and construct theoretical and practical activity of people. Thus, the corporate methodology is lying in the section of philosophical knowledge - gnoseology, and the practical part is focused on the conversion of the world. Under the "method" means "method and order of research of the subject to obtain the most complete and appropriate truth of the result." And under the "methodology" - the specification of the method, bringing it to the instruction, the algorithm, a clear description of the method of implementation.
We summarize: The methodology involves the search for the goal and the wording of the principles of its achievement, the method is a method for implementing the principles of achieving the goal, and the technique is a specific reception - the embodiment of the method.
Consider what major methodological benchmarks are based on modern sociology and what research methods are used by representatives of various directions.
In the most general form, we already concerned the question of the methodological foundations of the sociological (and wider-socialically humanitarian) knowledge.
Remembering these provisions, please define what is compared in the table below. 1, think about how to edit and columns.
Table 1
|
Knowledge |
Progressively, of course - "Peace I know" |
Infinitely - "Peace fully unrecognizable" |
|
Model of knowledge |
Linear vector |
|
|
Explanation |
Understanding |
|
|
Quantitative |
Quality |
|
|
The time of knowledge of knowledge |
Almost forever |
Relatively short period of time |
|
Position of learning |
Yes, indeed, the table compares objectivist (explaining) and hermeneutic (understanding) position of the researcher, the conflict between which was transferred from the external interdisciplinary environment to the medium is intrasoliological.
However, any positions - objectivist or hermeneutic - neither would adhere to a sociologist, the conduct of a sociological study requires the passage of mandatory stages. Here is a list of these mandatory steps:
- 1. Stage of research preparation
- 1. The choice of theme and formulation of the problem of research.
- 2. Review of literature: Analysis of theories and results of empirical research on the topics selected and related to it.
- 3. Construction of the hypothesis: the formulation of the working definitions of the studied phenomena, as well as building assumptions about the nature of the relationship between them.
- 4. Laying the research program, i.e. Hypotheses check paths: Definition of object and research methods.
II. Data collection.
III. Interpretation of the results obtained
- 1. Analysis of the results.
- 2. Conclusions - Determination of the place of the problem under study in a broader context, determining the directions of further research.
- 3. Publication of research results.
So, on the first stage of the study - at the planning stage - sociologist builds a detailed model of the future study. Analysis for each of the items is the problem, the subject, the object, the goal, tasks, hypothesis - allows you to include a specific study to one of the species allocated on different bases.
The proposed typology of sociological studies (Table 2) is not just a logical exercise, but has a deep methodological meaning. The need to determine the types of sociological research is primarily the fact that already at the very beginning of its holding a sociologist there are questions regarding the allocation of common, special or unique in the study of social objects, phenomena or public life processes. If he manages to reasonably identify his research with available species, it allows you to more effectively use the experience gained by other researchers when organizing and conducting a specific sociological research.
Table 2. Types of sociological research
|
Base for classification |
Types of research |
|
According to the nature of the mined sociological knowledge |
|
|
According to the number of measurements, the severity of the object dynamics |
|
|
By the nature of the goals, as well as the latitude and depth of analysis |
|
|
By orientation to various aspects of social planning and management of public processes |
|
|
3. Operational, with the help of which analyzes local problems (at specific enterprises and in organizations) in order to find the best ways to resolve them |
|
|
On the spheres of public life |
|
|
According to the degree of representation of the parties to the object |
|
|
On the scale of the object of the study |
|
Other grounds may be allocated to classify the types of sociological research and, accordingly, other types. We note, however, that the proposed classification seems to be quite complete, since it reflects all the main items on which the program of the future study is drawn up.
The next step is to collect data. In everyday consciousness, it is precisely this stage - to a sociological survey - the ideas about a sociological study are as follows. But such reduction is completely unlawful, since it is only one of the stages, although very important, sociological research. The collection of empirical material can be carried out using various methods, since this textbook is not focused on the preparation of professional sociologists, we consider excessive analysis of all existing methods, and we offer a brief characteristic (Table. 3).
Table 3.
The empirical data obtained during a sociological study still does not allow to make faithful conclusions, detect patterns and trends, check the hypothesis-nominated program of research. The resulting primary sociological information should be summarized, analyze and scientifically integrate. The assembled empirical material makes it possible to go to the third stage of the study - the stage of processing, analysis and interpretation of the data obtained.
In sociology, the methods of transformation of empirical data obtained during a sociological study understand the methods of analyzing and processing sociological information. The transformation is made to make these issues, compact and suitable for meaningful analysis, testing research hypotheses and interpretations.
Transformed data, as a rule, are subjected to statistical analysis. At the same time, the methods of descriptive statistics are used (calculation of multidimensional distributions of features, mean values, scattering measures) and output statistics (correlation, regressive, factorial, cluster, causal, loglinic, dispersion analysis, multidimensional scaling). Methods for modeling and predicting social phenomena and processes (analysis of time series, imitation modeling, Markov chains) can also be involved. Modern programs of mathematical data processing allow, among other things, also visually present the results obtained in the form of graphs, tables, charts. Based on the interpretation of the obtained and processed data, the conclusions are formulated, the analytical report is prepared and the recommendation system is drawn up in the event that the study is applied.
However, as we already know, applied studies are only one of the types of sociological research. In the structure of sociological knowledge, three interrelated levels are most often distinguished:
- - generalocial theory;
- - special sociological theories (or medium-level theory);
- - Sociological studies called other private, empirical, applied or specific sociological.
All three levels complement each other, which makes it possible to obtain scientifically substantiated results, studying certain social objects, phenomena and processes.
We indicated as a special step at the study planning stage "Review of literature: Analysis of theories and results of empirical research on the topics selected and related to it." At the final stage, this line should "be closed" - the scientist determines the role of a study in the process of cognition of the social world, integrates the results obtained by them in a holistic system of sociological knowledge. This complex step requires a transition from a private level of applied tasks to the level of theoretical generalization. As the Polish sociologist Peter Uztomka indicates, emphasizing the importance of mastering future sociologists theory, "We are not about memorizing names and schools, definitions and arguments. The essence of the case is to apply the theory, that is, its correlation with specific experience, the consideration of current problems of modern society, its Dilemmas and opportunities, as well as with understanding of our personal destinies and vital opportunities in the context of theory. "
