1.6 Studying Families
As sociology became established in American universities, scholars refined it into a scientific discipline that relies on research to expand our understanding. Sociologists started gathering data, including observations and documentation, and applying the scientific method—a systematic approach to inquiry—to deepen our knowledge of societies and social interactions.
Our perceptions of social situations are often influenced by our own viewpoints and limited information. To mitigate bias, sociologists conduct experiments or studies to collect and analyze empirical evidence from direct experiences. The conclusions drawn from this research undergo scrutiny by peers, who may replicate the experiments or studies or apply them to different contexts to validate the findings. Peer-reviewed research is published in scholarly journals. Sociologists, guided by the sociological perspective, explore a wide range of topics without restrictions. They examine every aspect of human behavior and observe patterns as individuals navigate through society. By employing sociological methods and rigorous research within the scientific framework, sociologists have identified social patterns in various domains, such as the workplace, families, and education, leading to transformative insights and structural changes.
The research process typically begins with sociologists posing questions about how or why certain phenomena occur in the world. These questions could range from inquiries into emerging trends to investigations of common aspects of life. Once a question is formulated, sociologists embark on a thorough process to uncover answers.
