INFLUENCE ON TOPIC Flashcards
What are social problems?
Aspects of social life that cause anxiety to both individuals and society.
Give an example of evidence gathered by sociologists of social problems.
Townsend and the Breadline Britain surveys of Mack and Lansley.
What are sociological problems?
Any aspect of social life - whether that is normal or deviant - is a social problem.
What are the three ways sociologists focus on both sociological problems and social policy?
1) Some sociological research aims to be descriptive.
2) Some sociological research is explanatory.
3) Some sociological research is evaluative.
What is meant by the interests and values of the researcher?
Some sociologists are strongly attached to the subject because they feel strongly about injustice or inequality.
Give an example of a group of sociologists who aim to rectify injustice.
Feminists, may feel that patriarchy is a social problem that needs to be challenged.
How can current debates in the academic world affect research?
Researchers will be influenced by what is currently fashionable in the academic world. E.g. 1970s gold rush of feminism.
How can funding influence research?
The values of those providing the financing may have an affect on the direction and tone of the research.
How can access to research subjects influence research?
The groups that sociologists wish to study have power to negotiate terms. Sometimes these groups can be in closed institutions.
What is a gate-keeper?
A person who does have contact with a relevant or appropriate set of individuals.
