Methods

Sociological methods are the tools that sociologists use to study society. They let researchers investigate social issues, identify patterns, and develop theories for how the social world works. Sociologists use a range of methods to explore questions about everyday life and the broader social structures that shape our experiences.

Sociological research can take many forms. For example, quantitative methods use numbers and statistics to explain data, while qualitative methods are non-numerical, exploring deeper patterns, relationships, and behaviours. Researchers may also combine different approaches to see the bigger picture of a social issue. For example, conducting a survey and requesting a few participants to also take part in an interview. Quantitative researchers may use surveys, questionnaires, or official statistics as data for their work, while qualitative researchers may use interviews, ethnography, or case studies to draw conclusions about the social world.

Research methods help us think critically about the information we encounter and the importance of evidence when exploring social issues. Sociological methods provide the foundation to allow sociologists to ask questions and to answer them.