Sociology & the Scientific Method: Crash Course Sociology #3

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Social Studies

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

What puts the “science” in social science? Today we’ll explore positivist sociology and how sociologists use empirical evidence to explore questions about the social world. We’ll also introduce two alternatives: interpretative sociology and critical sociology.

Social Studies (2010) Grade(s): 09-12 - Sociology

SS10.S.2

Explain methods and tools of research used by sociologists to study human society, including surveys, polls, statistics, demographic information, case studies, participant observations, and program evaluations.

UP:SS10.S.2

Vocabulary

  • surveys
  • polls
  • statistics
  • demographic information
  • case studies
  • participant observations
  • program evaluations
  • qualitative research
  • quantitative research

Knowledge

Students know:
  • The methods for collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
  • How sociologists use the scientific method differently and similarly to other social scientists.
  • How to calculate and interpret simple statistics related to sociological research methodologies.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative research demonstrations.
  • Describe different research methodologies used by sociologists.
  • Compute simple statistical calculations using data collected in ways that mirror methods used by sociologists.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • It is important to use scientific methodology to study sociological phenomena.
  • There are specific steps for collecting and interpreting data using qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  • There are differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods.

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

Other

License Type

CUSTOM

Resource Provider other

CrashCourse

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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