Types of research in sociology. Types of sociological research

Social research is a system of theoretical and empirical procedures that contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge about the object under study in order to solve specific theoretical and social problems.

Types: Depending on the depth, scale and complexity of the analysis, reconnaissance (pilot), descriptive and analytical studies are distinguished:

1. Pilot (reconnaissance) - the simplest, limited in time and sample size type of study, allows you to get a general idea about the object, often used as an auxiliary study before a larger study. Sociologists often use it to test tools. It can act as a standalone. When the researcher is limited in his resources and solves a small range of problems in small studies.

2. Descriptive - a more complex and large-scale way of collecting, processing and analyzing social information, gives a relatively holistic view of the object under study, its structural elements, a detailed program is being developed for this study, tools are being worked out, which are pre-tested by a pilot study. Object - fairly large groups. Homogeneous groups are singled out in the object, which are given a characteristic. Groups are compared according to some characteristics. The most common type of research.

3. Analytical - the most in-depth type of sociological analysis. It gives not only a description of the structural email. The studied phenomena, but also the reasons that underlie the identified differences between the groups will be clarified. Here, a relationship is established between the individual parameters of the studied phenomena. As a rule, a combination of methods is used. Its preparation takes a lot of time. It requires a lot of labor, but it is rarely used for making managerial decisions.

Types by diversity in time:

1. Point - one-time, allows you to get the characteristics of the phenomenon under study at a certain point in time and does not answer the question about the variability of this phenomenon and existing trends.

2. Repeated - involves conducting several studies on similar programs and using similar tools (divided into:

a) trending - are carried out within the framework of a single general population with a certain time interval to identify and analyze changes occurring in a particular social group. They are divided into cohort (when they study a certain age group - a cohort, the composition of the group may change (people of the same year of birth)) and historical (a cohort is examined at certain intervals. (Youth 25 years old with a period of 3-4 years - the age range is unchanged).

b) panel - examination of the same individuals at certain time intervals. The sample population remains unchanged. The main difficulty is maintaining the sample from one study to another. Since it cannot be saved, a slight change in the panel is allowed. For this, a sample of 20% more than the calculated one is polled. Information is received about individual changes.

c) longitudinal - a long-term periodic study of the same individuals is carried out as the surveyed population reaches a certain stage of its development. Youth development - age-related changes. Longer, systematic, associated with a direct change in age.

d) monitoring - periodic study of a certain social phenomenon or social group over a sufficiently long period of time).

Types depending on the method of collecting sociological information:

1. Method of survey - addressing the respondent with questions, recording their answers with their subsequent statistical processing. It is divided into questionnaires - during the survey, the respondent fills out the questionnaire himself. (according to the method of questionnaire delivery: distributing, postal, press, electronic; depending on the number: individual, group, mass) and the interview, the questionnaire is filled in by the interviewer himself (according to the degree of formalization: standardized, semi-standardized, free, narrative (life event); by the number of respondents: individual, group (open group interview and focus group)).

2. Method of observation - according to the degree of formalization: standardized (definition of human behavior) / non-standardized (in general, human behavior); according to the position of the observer: open / hidden; according to the degree of involvement of the observer: included/not included.

3. The method of document analysis - any material carrier of information that is socially significant. (photos, documents, videos, souvenirs, etc.) There are formalized (content analysis) - strictly defined elements and informal (traditional) ones.

Social experiment - certain conditions are set and their influence on the phenomenon under study is studied.

Psychological methods are also used: a sociometric survey (the study of relationships in a team) and test methods (identifying the psychological characteristics of respondents).

There are quantitative and qualitative strategies for social research:

1. Quantitative - the traditional approach in sociology, theoretically based on positive sociology, coming from Comte, Durkheim, aimed at studying mass phenomena. (Large groups are being studied). Statistical methods of processing, identifying patterns, generalized characteristics for the studied social groups are used. Formalized methods of collecting social information are used.

2. Qualitative - aimed at the study of social phenomena and processes from the point of view. individual as the beginning of any social reality, is theoretically based on the theories of Weber, Schutz, Simmel, and others. each person is the bearer of the meaning of a certain social group.

4. Program of sociological research. Structure and content

Methodological and procedural sections of the program and their content.

The implementation of any social Research includes a number of mandatory steps:

1. Development of a social research program.

2. Collection of primary social information.

3. Primary data processing and entering them into the computer.

4. Data analysis.

5. Preparation of reports and analytical references.

The program refers to the type of strategic documents of scientific research, the purpose of which is to present a general scheme or plan for a future event, to set out the concept of the entire study. It contains a theoretical substantiation of methodological approaches and methodological techniques for studying a particular phenomenon or process.

1. Theoretical and applied research, the purpose of which is to promote the solution of social problems by developing new approaches to their study, interpretation and explanation, deeper and more comprehensive than before.

2. Applied sociological research aimed at the practical solution of sufficiently clearly defined social problems in order to suggest specific ways of action within a certain period of time. This is research, sometimes called social engineering. The theoretical approaches already developed in sociology are implemented here in a specific application to a given area of social life and in these types of activities of people and organizations, and their immediate result should be the development social project, system of measures for implementation in practice.

The research program is built depending on the named goals. But whatever the specific purpose of the study, its general orientation ultimately meets practical interests.

A carefully designed program is a guarantee of the success of the entire study. In the ideal case, the program of theoretical and applied research includes the following elements.

Basic requirements for the program:

1. Necessity (why they chose these methods, etc.).

2. Explicitness (clarity, clarity of the program).

3. Flexibility (the ability to correct errors in the process of conducting social research).

4. Logical sequence of the structure.

The structure of the program includes two sections:

1. Methodological

Description of the problem field, formulation of problems;

Definition of the object, subject of research;

Determining the purpose and setting the objectives of the study;

Clarification and interpretation of basic concepts (empirical and theoretical interpretation of basic concepts);

System analysis of the object of study;

Research formulation.

2. Procedural (procedural-methodical)

Principal research plan (strategic);

Design and justification of the sampling population;

Selection and justification of methods and basic procedures for data collection and analysis;

Construction of sociological tools.

The development of the program takes from 30 to 70% of labor costs.

The social research program helps the sociologist to conduct a detailed analysis of the research, to understand for himself what and how to research. The program is a statement of the essence of the studied social. problems, goals and objectives of the main prerequisites and hypotheses of the study, indicating the procedures and logical sequence for testing these hypotheses.

The main functions of the program in sociological research: methodological, methodical, predictive, organizational and technological.

The methodological function of the program allows you to clearly define the issues under study, formulate the goals and objectives of the study, determine and conduct a preliminary analysis of the object and subject of the study, establish the relationship of this study to previously performed or parallel studies on this issue.

The methodological function of the program makes it possible to develop a general logical research plan, on the basis of which the research cycle is carried out: theory - facts - theory.

The organizational function ensures the development of a clear system of division of responsibilities between the members of the research team, allows you to ensure the effective dynamics of the research process.

Predictive function. The ratio of the problem and the problem situation depends on the type of research, on the scale and depth of the sociology of studying the object. In a real-life object, some property is distinguished, defined as its side, which is determined by the nature of the problem, thereby designating the subject of research. By scale, the problems are divided into local, or micro-social; regional, covering individual regions; national, having a national scale and affecting the national security of the country. By severity, the problems are classified into immature, which will manifest themselves in the future, and now need prevention; topical, i.e., already overdue, and acute, requiring immediate resolution. According to the type of social change trends, there are destructive-degradative problems that determine negative destructive processes in society; transformational, fixing the transformation of society, its transition from one

quality to another; innovative, related to various aspects of social innovation. According to the speed of development, problems are divided into passive, i.e., developing slowly; active, characterized by dynamism, and superactive, growing extremely fast.

Depending on the purpose and tasks put forward The following types of sociological research can be distinguished: exploratory, descriptive and analytical (5, p.13-17; 8, p.21-25).

Intelligence(pilotage, probing) research- the simplest type of concrete sociological research. It solves tasks that are very limited in content and covers small surveyed populations. It is characterized by a simplified program and a compressed toolkit.

In applied sociology, tools are called methodological documents necessary for collecting primary sociological information: a questionnaire, an interview form, a card for fixing observation results, etc.

Intelligence research is used when collecting "estimated" information about the object of research for general orientation or in order to obtain operational information about a particular fact, event, phenomenon.

A type of exploratory research is express poll. With the help of an express survey (operational survey), people's attitudes to current events and facts are revealed (i.e. probing public opinion) or the degree of effectiveness of the measure just carried out. For example, to determine the degree of audience satisfaction with the quality of the lecture.

Often, intelligence research acts as a preliminary stage of deep and large-scale research, in which case it is called aerobatic .

Aerobatic (trial) study(or pilotage) (from the English word pilot - one of the meanings of which is "pilot plant") - in sociology, a pilot study, the purpose of which is to check the quality of tools for collecting primary sociological information, procedures and methods for organizing field research. In this case, it is used to obtain additional information about the subject and object, clarify and correct hypotheses and tasks, tools (questionnaires, interview plans, etc., including the formulation of questions and measuring scales), the boundaries of the population under study, and the organization of information collection is being worked out. . It identifies difficulties that may be encountered in the course of subsequent in-depth, large-scale research. Often, after a pilot study, the hypothesis changes.

Since the purpose of the pilot study is to test sociological instruments, there are no representativeness requirements for the sample in the pilot study. Usually, a survey of 50-100 people is considered sufficient, depending on the degree of novelty of the methods and the research and homogeneity of the object, but in such a way that all groups of respondents that are significant for the purposes of the study are necessarily included in the sample.

For the full-fledged implementation of a pilot study, it is often not enough to conduct only one survey; a targeted analysis of special literature and a survey of specialists (experts) are necessary. The most common method of obtaining knowledge about the reliability of the developed toolkit is unstructured observation, since the errors made during its development can be detected when observing the process of practical application of the toolkit. For example, when piloting a questionnaire, respondents either ask questions about the meaning of incomprehensible words, or answer insubstantially, or generally leave the question unanswered, or are embarrassed when answering "sharp" questions, etc. Thus, with the help of unstructured observation, it is possible to detect the most gross and obvious miscalculations in the design of the methodological procedure.

Pilot study is a necessary stage of sociological research. It can be repeated repeatedly, until positive results are achieved and all elements of the study are worked out. A pilot study is not necessary if well-proven data collection techniques are used.

Intelligence research usually uses one of the most accessible methods for collecting primary sociological information (questionnaires or interviews), which allows it to be carried out in a short time.

Descriptive research- This is a more complex type of concrete sociological research. It makes it possible to obtain a relatively holistic view of the phenomenon under study, its structural elements. Usually this study is used when the object of study is a relatively large community of people, not homogeneous in their characteristics. For example, the population of a city, where you can select people of different professions, different ages, work experience, marital status, education level, etc. In this case, relatively homogeneous groups are distinguished in the structure of the object under study and the most important characteristics that are identified as significant in connection with the problem under study are alternately evaluated, compared and contrasted, and the presence or absence of links between them is also revealed.

The program in this case has already been developed in sufficient detail, and the tools have been tested.

Analytical study- the most complex and deep type of sociological research. Its goal is not only to describe the structural elements of the phenomenon under study, but also to identify the causes that determine one or another nature of observations, its dynamics, etc. So, if, as a result of a descriptive study, it turns out whether there is a connection between the characteristics of the studied social phenomenon, then, as a result of an analytical study, a sociologist can determine whether the discovered relationship is causal. For example, if the first study examines the relationship between employee satisfaction with the content of work performed and its productivity, then the second study finds out whether satisfaction with the content of labor is the main or not the main reason that acts as a factor determining the level of its productivity.

The preparation and conduct of this type of research requires a lot of time, a carefully designed program and tools. According to the methods of collecting sociological information, analytical research is complex. The researcher can use various forms of questioning, document analysis, observation, which will complement each other.

An independent type of analytical research is social experiment . For its implementation, an experimental situation is created, for which the usual conditions for the functioning of the object of interest to the researcher are changed. The experiment allows not only to collect data, but also to varying degrees to modify reality. The hypotheses put forward during the experiment are tested directly in practice.

In order to obtain reliable information in a short time, in addition to probing studies, they also conduct operational research.

Operational research- this is a study, the main goal of which is to obtain in a short time reliable and objective information about any social process, the state of which requires urgent and enhanced managerial action. This type of sociological research, unlike other types, is carried out only when the problem situation is obvious, and the contradictions have reached the maximum point of development.

The task of operational sociological research is to find the causes of the emergence of a particular contradiction that interferes with the normal functioning of a particular social mechanism. The results obtained are used by organizations that ordered such a study. In an operational study, the following can be used to collect information: a survey, observation, analysis of documents (often in combination with each other), and in probing studies, only survey methods are used to identify a problem situation. One of the important features of operational research is that the conclusions obtained after analyzing the research data cannot be extended to other social groups, since a specific social situation is studied each time.

Depending on whether the subject is studied in statics or dynamics, there are two types of sociological research - point and repeated.

Point (one-time) study- allows you to get information about the state and quantitative characteristics of a phenomenon or process at the time of its study. This information can be called statistical, since it reflects, as it were, an instant "cut", but does not answer the question about the trends in its change over time.

Repeated (trend) study - focused on identifying the dynamics of the object under study. To do this, several studies are carried out sequentially at certain intervals. Thus, repeated research is a means of comparative sociological analysis. Depending on the purpose, the collection of repeated information of interest can be carried out in two, three or more stages, and the time interval between studies can be very different, since different social processes have unequal dynamics. When it is carried out, it is not necessary to retain the same individuals in the study population in the sample. The only requirement is that they belong to the same social group.

There are several types of re-examination: panel and longitudinal .

Panel Study(from the English panel - panel, list) is the study of the same persons at certain intervals. The main goal of a panel study is to study the development trend and dynamics of a social phenomenon or process over time. With it, you can study the changes that occur in any group of people over a certain period of time. For example, a study of the process of industrial adaptation of young workers.

The disadvantage is the difficulty of maintaining the sample from study to study. Therefore, the sample size of such a study, due to possible losses, should be increased by 20-25% against a statistically valid sample.

Longitudinal study(from the English longitude - longitude; literally "long study") - a type of repeated sociological and socio-psychological research, in which all stages of the mental and social development of young people are described in the process of their life self-determination. Longitudinal research originally arose in psychology as a tool for studying individual and age differences in people, and later found distribution in social psychology and sociology in the analysis of problems of the human life cycle, to study the dynamics of families and married couples, study groups, production teams, as well as individual behavior in social processes. The initial stage of the study is usually associated with the end of studies in a general education school, and the final stage - with the achievement of social maturity (acquisition of a stable social status, profession, creation of a family, etc.).

Longitudinal and panel studies have in common that the object of long-term observation in them is the same contingent of subjects. But there are also differences. If in panel studies any age group (for example, pensioners) can act as an object, then in longitudinal studies - only young people. If in panel studies the time of subsequent examinations is set according to factors external to the object under study (in a year, in three years, after any social events, etc.), then in longitudinal studies it is set as young people reach certain stages in its social development.

A longitudinal study is a complex, multipurpose study. Thanks to it, you can get information about many important social problems, such as choosing a profession, profession and social adaptation, changing the value consciousness and behavior of young people in the process of self-determination, etc. This study is one of the most time-consuming and expensive methods in sociology, since in for many years it is necessary to maintain contact between the researcher and the respondent.

Longitudinal research is also sometimes called genetic research, as it allows us to trace the formation of certain social characteristics of young people.

In repeated studies, the concepts of "generation" and "cohort" play an important role, in connection with which two more types of research are distinguished: generational and cohort.

generational research is a study whose main goal is to study the dynamics of the social structure and values of society through the study of the relationship of generations. One generation includes people whose age is placed in a certain interval, while the latter does not always remain unchanged. Currently, most researchers define the interval between generations as 20-25 years. The difficulties in determining the boundaries of a generation are largely due to the multiplicity and inconsistency of its socio-biological criteria: the timing of the physical maturation of youth, the beginning of labor activity, the average age of marriage, the commonality of thoughts, behavior, values. All of these criteria are mobile and socially conditioned. For example, an increase in the duration of education leads to the fact that the entry into working life coincides less and less with physical maturity. In a society, there are always several generations at the same time, the relations between which create a number of problems, and sometimes even lead to conflicts.

cohort study- studies more specific populations (cohorts) over a period of time. A cohort (from Latin cohors - "set, subdivision") is a grouping consisting of individuals selected on the basis that they experience the same events, processes in the same periods of time. Thus, a cohort is understood as a part of a generation distinguished by one (or more) specific traits. Initially, the concept of "birth cohort" was the most common, i.e. a group of people born in certain periods of time (in the same year). During the study, members of this cohort are interviewed when they reach 18, 20, 25, 30 years, etc. Later, other types of cohorts were identified, for example, a cohort of events ("liquidators" of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant), etc.

In a cohort study, different individuals may fall into the sample each time, but they must all belong to the same cohort. This is due to the assumption that the individuals included in the cohort are characterized by some common social and socio-psychological indicators. The concept of "cohort" when conducting sociological research is used if there is a need to identify indicators of social changes and processes, to investigate the impact of social, cultural and historical changes on the processes of personality development, to study the mechanisms of socialization of the individual, etc.

Also in sociology are distinguished monographic and comparative research.

Monographic study- a type of sociological research, the main purpose of which is the study of any social phenomenon or process on one object, which is a representative of a whole class of similar objects. The object is selected typologically on the basis of the available information and it is assumed that it is typical for this class of phenomena. The task of a monographic study is to give a detailed analysis of a new phenomenon, since the lack of information about it makes it impossible to conduct a wide sample study. In this regard, the monographic study does not claim to obtain representative information.

comparative study- a type of sociological research in which, as the main technique, a comparison of information is used that can be obtained: 1) in different periods of the historical development of society; 2) in different social subsystems (groups, communities, institutions, etc.); 3) different researchers or research teams; 4) different methods of collecting or measuring information. In comparative studies, various methodological and methodological tasks can be solved, both descriptive (establishing similarities and differences) and analytical (explanation, prediction, practical recommendations).

Depending on the venue and conditions research can be field or laboratory .

Field study(synonyms "survey", "empirical survey", "field survey", "field work") - in the narrow sense - this is a survey on the "place" (at home, in a school class, at work, etc.), in in a broad sense - the study of the object of study in natural, "field" conditions, in the conditions of everyday life. Typically, field research is aimed at a complete and in-depth study of social objects in order to obtain information that is necessary to explain social phenomena and processes. Therefore, the object of field research should always have clear temporal and spatial boundaries (a specific labor collective, students of a certain university, territorial community, etc.).

Laboratory (experimental) research- the antonym of the concept of "field research". If in field research the study of a social object is carried out in natural conditions, and the intervention of a sociologist in the situation of observations is minimized as much as possible, then in laboratory research people's behavior is studied in an artificially created situation.

Depending on the specifics of the object, as well as on the nature of the information already available about the object, there are three main types of sociological research: survey, document analysis, observation, as well as testing, experiment, etc. These types of research will be discussed in detail in the following paragraphs.

QUESTIONS

Why should social workers be trained to use different research methods?

What is characteristic of both the process of social work and the research process?

What are the elements of a particular sociological study?

What work is carried out at different stages of sociological research?

What types of research do you know, depending on the purpose and tasks put forward? What research are you planning to do?

Why is it necessary to conduct a pilot study?

What is the difference between a monographic study and a comparative study?

When is a point, and when is a re-examination carried out? What types of re-examination do you know?

LITERATURE

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340 p.

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Doel M., Shadlow S. The practice of social work: Exercises and methodological developments for training and advanced training of social workers / Per. from English. ed. B.Yu. Shapiro. - M.: Aspect Press, 1995. - 236, p.

How to conduct a sociological study: To help ideol. asset / [Ed. M.K. Gorshkova, F.E. Sheregi]. - 2nd ed., add. - M.: Politizdat, 1990. - 287, p.

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Social Work Education: Continuity and Innovation / Ed.: Sh. Ramon, R. Sarri; Per. from English. ed. B.Yu. Shapiro. - M.: Aspect Press, 1996. - 156 p.

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Sociological Dictionary / [Comp.: A.N. Elsukov, K.V. Shulga; Scientific ed. G.N. Sokolova, I.Ya. Pisarenko; Editorial staff: G.P. Davidyuk (responsible editor) and others]. - 2nd ed., revised. and additional - Minsk: University, 1991. - 528 p.

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Theory and practice of social work: Domestic and foreign experience / Assoc. social. teachers and social employees of Ros. Federation. Ros. acad. education; [Resp. Ed.: T.F. Yarkina, V.G. Bocharov]. - M.; Tula, 1993. - V.1. - 459, p.

Encyclopedic Sociological Dictionary / Common. ed. G.V. Osipov. - M.: ISPI RAN, 1995. - 939 p.

Encyclopedia of social work: Per. from English: In 3 volumes / Ch. scientific Ed.: L.E. Kunelsky, M.S. Matskovsky. - M .: Center for General Humanity. values, 1993-1994. - V.1-3.

INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………4

1. Types of sociological research………………..……………………5

2. Sample….……………………………………………………………………….7

2.1. Formation and sampling methods.

3. Methods of collecting information……………………………………………………9

3.1. Poll.

3.2. Document analysis.

3.3. observation.

4. Conclusion………………………………………………………………..…27

5. LIST OF USED SOURCES…….……………....28

INTRODUCTION

There are three interrelated levels in the structure of sociology: general sociological theory, special sociological theories, and sociological research. They are also called private, empirical, applied or specific sociological research. All three levels complement each other, which makes it possible to obtain scientifically substantiated results in the study of social phenomena and processes.

Sociological research - it is a system of logically consistent methodological, methodical and organizational-technical procedures, subordinated to a single goal: to obtain accurate objective data about the social phenomenon under study.

The study begins with its preparation: thinking about the goals, program, plan, determining the means, timing, methods of processing, etc.

The second stage is the collection of primary sociological information (records of the researcher, extracts from documents).

The third stage is the preparation of the information collected in the course of a sociological study for processing, the compilation of a processing program and the processing itself.

The final, fourth stage is the analysis of the processed information, the preparation of a scientific report on the results of the study, the formulation of conclusions and recommendations for the customer, the subject.

Types of sociological research.

The type of sociological research is determined by the nature of the goals and objectives set, the depth of analysis of the social process.

There are three main types of sociological research: intelligence (pilot), descriptive and analytical.

Intelligence(or pilot, probing) research is the simplest type of sociological analysis that allows solving limited problems. Methodical documents are being processed: questionnaires, interview form, questionnaire. The program of such research is simplified. The survey populations are small: from 20 to 100 people.

Intelligence research usually precedes deep study of the problem. In the course of it, goals, hypotheses, tasks, questions, their formulation are specified.

descriptive research is a more complex type of sociological analysis. With its help, empirical information is obtained that gives a relatively holistic view of the studied social phenomenon. In a descriptive study, one or more methods of collecting empirical data may be used. The combination of methods increases the reliability and completeness of information, allows you to draw deeper conclusions and sound recommendations.

The most serious type of sociological research is analytical study. It not only describes the elements of the studied phenomenon or process, but also allows you to find out the reasons underlying it. The main purpose of such a study is to search for cause-and-effect relationships.

Analytical research completes exploratory and descriptive research, during which information is collected that gives a preliminary idea about certain elements of the studied social phenomenon or process.

The preparation of a sociological study does not directly begin with the compilation of a questionnaire, but with the development of its program, consisting of the spirit of sections - methodological and methodological.

AT methodological section programs include:

a) formulation and justification of the object and subject of the social problem;

b) definition of the object and subject of sociological research;

c) definition of the researcher's tasks and formulation of hypotheses.

The methodological section of the program involves the definition of the population under study, the characteristics of the methods for collecting primary sociological information, the sequence of using tools for its collection, and the logical scheme for processing the collected data.

An essential part of the program of any research is, first of all, a deep and comprehensive substantiation of methodological approaches and methodological techniques for studying a social problem, which should be understood as a “social contradiction”, perceived by the subjects as a significant discrepancy between the existing and official, between the goals and results of activity, arising from - for the lack or insufficiency of means to achieve goals, obstacles on this path, the struggle around goals between various subjects of activity, which leads to dissatisfaction of social needs.

It is important to distinguish between the object and the subject of research. The choice of the object and subject of research to a certain extent is already embedded in the social problem itself.

object research can be any social process, sphere of social life, labor collective, any social relations, documents. The main thing is that all of them contain a social contradiction and give rise to a problem situation.

Thing research - certain ideas, properties, characteristics inherent in a given team, the most significant from a practical or theoretical point of view, that is, what is subject to direct study. Other properties, features of the object remain outside the field of view of the sociologist.

The analysis of any problem can be carried out in theoretical and applied directions, depending on the purpose of the study. The purpose of the study can be formulated as theoretical. Then, when preparing the program, the main attention is paid to theoretical and methodological issues. The object of research is determined only after the preliminary theoretical work has been completed.

Sample.

The object of study most often has hundreds, thousands, tens of hundreds of thousands of people. If the research object consists of 200-500 people, they can all be interviewed. Such a survey will be continuous. But if the object of study has more than 500 people, then the only true way is to use the sampling method.

Sample - it is a set of elements of the object of sociological research, subject to direct study.

The sample should take into account the interrelationships and interdependencies of the qualitative characteristics and features of social objects, in other words, the survey units are selected based on the most important features of the social object - education, qualifications, gender. The second condition: when preparing a sample, it is necessary that the selected part be a micromodel of the whole, or population. To a certain extent, the general population is an object of study to which the conclusions of sociological analysis apply.

Sample population- this is a certain number of elements of the general population, selected according to a strictly specified rule. The elements of the sample to be studied are units of analysis. They can act as individuals, as well as entire groups (student), work teams.

Sociological research (SR) is an activity aimed at obtaining objective knowledge (data) about social relations, phenomena, processes. This activity is a system of logically consistent methodological, methodological and organizational-technical procedures that are interconnected by one goal.

Sociological research obtains knowledge about the social world based on the collection of accurate facts and their further logical explanation. During the implementation of such studies, a systematic series of steps is applied to ensure maximum objectivity in studying the problem. The ideal version of sociological research consists of a step-by-step procedure, although this is not always possible in practice.

What are sociological studies?

There are 3 types of sociological research:

Pilot sociological research

The purpose of this trial study is to prepare for the main one. It checks the quality of the main SI and covers only small sets of factors under study, working according to a simplified program. During the pilot study, all elements of the future SI are checked, difficulties are identified that are expected to be encountered during its implementation. Sometimes during such research, new hypotheses emerge and operational data is collected. Usually held among several dozen people.

Descriptive sociological research

This study is more complex, since its goals and objectives involve obtaining a holistic view of the phenomenon under study; carried out using appropriate tools. Such studies are carried out in cases where the object of study is a large community of people, which is characterized by a variety of characteristics. Between them, you can identify certain relationships, compare and compare.

Analytical sociological research

The deepest type of sociological analysis, the purpose of which is to identify the causes underlying the process. They also determine its specificity, and therefore the preparation for this kind of SI requires more time and is complex.

Types of sociological research

Point (one-time) or repeated sociological research
The definition depends on the study of the subject in statics or dynamics. Dotted displays instantaneous data on the characteristics of the object. Repeated studies can be trend, panel and longitudinal.

Trend sociological research
SI are carried out at intervals in time on similar samples within a single general population; are cohort (the study of a certain age group - cohorts) and historical (the composition of cohorts changes).

Panel sociological research
Examination at regular intervals of the same people, requiring uniformity.

Longitudinal sociological research
If moments are selected for re-examination, taking into account the genesis of the studied population; as a rule, only young people are studied in the SI data.

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Stages of sociological research

Each sociological study includes certain stages, which traditionally look like this:

The first stage includes the preparation of the study. Its main essence is to think over the goal, write a program and plan, identify methods, as well as the timing of the study, select methods for analyzing and processing the obtained sociological information;
Next comes the stage of collecting primary sociological information. This includes the collection of non-aggregated information in a wide variety of forms, such as researchers' notes, interviewee responses, and more;
The third stage includes the preparation of the received information, as well as their processing;
The final stage consists of analyzing the information received, preparing a scientific report on the results of the study, as well as writing conclusions, developing recommendations and various proposals for the customer.

Types of sociological research

According to the method of cognition, sociological research can be:

theoretical research. Their specificity lies in the fact that the researcher does not work with the object itself, but with the concepts that reflect this object.
empirical research. The main content of these studies is the search and analysis of actual, as well as real information about the object.

According to the application of the final results, sociological research is divided into:

empirical research. They are applied. This means that the results obtained find their practical application in various areas of public life.
Basic research. These studies are aimed at the formation of science. They are traditionally carried out at the initiative of scientists, departments, universities, and are also carried out by academic institutions in order to test a wide variety of theoretical hypotheses and theories.
Applied research. They are aimed at solving practical problems. Basically, the customers of empirical research are commercial structures, political parties, government agencies, as well as local governments.

Depending on the repeatability of studies, it is customary to distinguish:

One-time studies. With their help, one can get ideas about the state, as well as the position of a certain social object, phenomenon or process in a certain period of time.
Repeat studies. They are used to determine the dynamics, as well as changes in their formation.

According to the nature of the goals and objectives set, sociological research is divided into:

Intelligence research. They also have such names as aerobatic or probing. With the help of these studies, it is possible to solve rather limited problems;
Descriptive research. They are carried out according to a complete, sufficiently developed program, as well as on the basis of proven tools. This type of research is mainly used when the object is a fairly large community of people, which is distinguished by various characteristics. An example may be the population of a city, district, region, where people of various ages, degrees of education, marital status, material support, etc. live and work;
Analytical. The main goal of these studies is the most in-depth study of the phenomenon. They are used in a situation where it is necessary not only to describe the structure and find out what determines its main quantitative and qualitative characteristics. According to the methods used to collect sociological information, analytical research has a complex character. It uses a variety of forms of questioning, document analysis, observation, which in turn complement each other.