sociology as an individual pastime

Research methodologies used in sociology as an individual pastime will involve the gathering of data and analysis in the form of interviews, surveys, observations, readings, existing research and data sets. Interviews involve face to face or online conversations with participants to probe and explore individuals’ thoughts, feelings and experiences related to the topic and ask questions to further understanding. Surveys are useful when looking for a greater and more diverse sample, allowing for both in-depth exploration of particular responses as well as a broad overview of how people feel on a specific subject. Surveys can be conducted online, through the mail, or by calling people. Observations involve the recording of data by an observer regarding behavior in a particular setting. This can include recording detailed notes, analyze trends, or draw pictures. Reading involves the analysis of both published and unpublished texts regarding the particular topic. This can include books, newspaper articles, magazines, and scholarly journals. Existing research and data sets are another useful methodology when researching a topic. This can involve the exploration of already collected reviews, studies and data from the literature or archives, which can help to provide context and a diverse set of perspectives.