What are experimental methods?

A Closer Look at the Experimental Method in Psychology. The experimental

method involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause
changes in another variable. This method relies on controlled methods, random
assignment and the manipulation of variables to test a hypothesis.

What is method of inquiry?

The method of inquiry is based on gathering observable, empirical and measureable
evidence. Basically, methods of inquiry are ways that an investigator gathers the
information for the case that they are investigating.

What are the 7 steps of the scientific method?

7 Steps of the Scientific Method

 Make an observation.
 Conduct research.
 Form hypothesis.
 Test hypothesis.
 Record data.
 Draw conclusion.
 Replicate.
 One thing that is designed to change in the setup of the experiment. ( The things that I
can change) Independent Variable

Design types and sub-types

 Descriptive (e.g., case-study, naturalistic observation, survey)

 Correlational (e.g., case-control study, observational study)
 Semi-experimental (e.g., field experiment, quasi-experiment)
 Experimental (experiment with random assignment)
 Review (literature review, systematic review)

The experimental method is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which

the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and
measures any change in other variables. 10. DEFINITION OF EXPERIMENTAL
METHOD  In the strict sense, experimental research is what we call a true experiment.

What is your definition of a community?

Close your eyes and imagine your organization’s "community.”... You can define
a community by the shared attributes of the people in it, and/or by the strength of the
connections among them. When an organization is identifying communities of interest,
the shared attribute is the most useful definition of a community

What is the difference between community and society?

In as much as a group of individuals is necessary for the existence of both a society and
a community, there are distinct differences between the two. A community refers
to a group of individuals residing in a specific geographic location whereas a
society refers to a system of social relationships.

The following qualities guide the design and process of a faculty learning
community.

 Safety and Trust. In order for participants to connect with each other, there must be a
sense of safety and trust. ...
 Openness. ...
 Respect. ...
 Responsiveness. ...
 Collaboration. ...
 Relevance. ...
 Challenge. ...
 Enjoyment.

What is the meaning of social structure?

Social structure, in sociology, the distinctive, stable arrangement of institutions
whereby human beings in a society interact and live together. Social structure is often
treated together with the concept of social change, which deals with the forces that
change the social structure and the organization of society.

What is an example of social structure?

One example of social structure is the idea of "social stratification", which refers to
the idea that most societies are separated into different strata (levels), guided (if only
partially) by the underlying structures in the social system. ... Family, religion, law,
economy, and class are all social structures.

What is Social Organization?

In an organized society, there is stability and change. Stability is the condition of
equilibrium among the parts of society. It is the state of smooth functioning. During this
condition; the social problems decrease in society. Change is the dynamic condition of
society. An organized society is also changing for the fulfillment of social needs. Abrupt
changes in the form of revolution disrupt the existing social order and disorganization
occurs in society.

The examples of organization can easily be understood from the organs of human body
which are technically joined together called organization of parts in human body. The
parts of a table are prepared separately by the carpenter and then fitted together in a
technical order. This table is an organized body. It means organization is arranging of
parts into its whole. Similarly, social group is an organization of individuals into a social
unit. The individuals set themselves at their positions (status) and by interaction (role)
they make a social group. It means they are fitted themselves into the group according to
their positions. This participation individuals into group is social organization.

The Contribution of “Emile Durkheim” Towards Sociology!

Among the contemporary Sociologists Emile Durkheim, the French genius occupies an
important place. He was born in 1858 at Epinal in France. Mostly he was a teacher of
sociology in the University of Bordeaux and Paris. He had some major works which
became a dominant force in the development of Sociology.

Some of the important works of Durkheim’s are the following.

(i) (The Suicide)-1897

(ii) (The Social Division of Labor)-1893

(iii) (The Elementary Forms of religious life)—1912

(iv) (Education and Sociology)-1922.

Durkheim had explained four major forms of Suicide. They are (a) Egoistic (b) Altruistic
(c) Anomic (d) Fatalistic.

Table showing the four types of Suicide:

Integration Low Egoistic Suicide

High Altruistic Suicide
 Regulation Low Anomic Suicide
High Fatalistic Suicide

From the above table it is found that Durkheim tried to find out the relation between the
types of suicide and his two social currents. These two social currents are integration and
regulation. Integration refers to the strength of the attachment that we have to society
and regulation refers of the degree of external constraint on people. When integration is
high, altruistic suicide takes place. But low integration results in an increase in egoistic
suicide. Anomic suicide is associated with low regulation whereas fatalistic suicide with
high regulation.

Criticisms:
The theory of suicide of Durkheim is not free from criticisms. Some of the critics say that
the society and the social currents which are solely responsible for suicide is not correct
as other factors are there causing suicide. So it is an one-sided view, some other critics
say that the theory of suicide of Durkheim is incomplete as he has based the theory upon
a very small number of sample.

Sociology of Religion: Max Weber

Essence of the Theory:

The Sociology of religion by Weber is a piece with all his sociology. His study promulgates
that how far a particular sect of religion can influence the economic behaviour of its
followers. Weber’s main concerned was to what extent religious conception of the world
of existence have influenced the economic behaviour of various societies and specially the
western society. Weber says that Calvinist sect of protestant Christian religion has
strongest influences on the development of capitalism.

Weber examines this connection from two points of view:

1. The influence of these religious doctrines on economy.
2. The position of the groups in the economic system.

He was less concerned with the ethical doctrines as expounded by the theologians than
with these doctrines in their popular form as they guide their (group) behaviour. He
wanted to comprehend capitalism as a civilization. The civilization of modern man. What
motivated Weber the most is the primary orientation to the attainment of profit in
nominally peaceful system of exchange relationship.

One of the major reasons behind Weber’s theory was the result of his endeavor to
undertake a distinct and independent theoretical analysis of the social and political issues
and his dissatisfaction with both Marxism and German historical economics and
jurisprudence to solve these problems.

Inter-relationship between Religious Ethics and Economy:

Superficially, Religion and society seem poles apart. Religion concerns itself with the
beyond, whereas economy deals with the practical business of working, producing and
consuming. Are these two seemingly diverse systems related? Max Weber thought so.

According to him, it was the ideas, beliefs, values and world view of human societies that
guided the way their members acted, even in the economic sphere. Religion prescribes
certain guidelines of behaviour. It is in accordance with these guidelines that followers
direct or orient their activities. These guidelines are incorporated in the body of religious
ethics of each religious system. Let us illustrate Weber’s view with an example from our
society.

“A health expert might suggest that if Indians would eat beef, the problem of hunger and
malnutrition might be lessened. But the very idea of cow-slaughter is revolting to most
Hindus and would probably be rejected outright. So even though cow-slaughter may seem
economically rational or logical, values and ideas (in this case, the idea that the cow is
sacred) definitely influence the making of certain decisions. It is our beliefs and values
which helps to shape our behaviour.”

Weber’s Comparative Studies on Religion:

Weber tries to establish relation between religious ethics on the one hand and the
economic behaviour on the other. Weber also tries to substantiate or validate this idea
with the help of comparative studies of various world religions. Weber studies
Confucianism in Ancient China, Hinduism in ancient India and Judaism in ancient
Palestine (West Asia).

Confucianism in China:
Ancient China had a well-developed economy. Trade, commerce, finance and
manufacture were quite advanced. Despite the presence of these material conditions,
western-style of capitalism did not develop there. Because according to Weber, the
Confucian ethic would not permit this.

The stress on harmony, traditionalism and family obligations are quite contradictory to
the relentless pursuit of profit for its own sake. Indeed, the spirit of capitalism would
probably have been considered to be bad manners.

Judaism in West Asia:

Their prophets united them in the belief that they were the chosen ones of God and must
help to establish God’s Kingdom on Earth. Judaism unlike Confucianism and Hinduism
speaks of an ethic of mastery over the environment, not harmony.

Weber says, Judaism could have generated the spirit of capitalism. However certain
historical forces prevented this. The Exodus or mass migration of the Jews from their
homeland due to persecution left them scattered all over the world. Their economic
participation was restricted to money leading, which they did very successfully.

What is the difference between social research and social survey?

The purpose of social research is to discover the causes of a social phenomenon or to
increase knowledge about a social problem, but the purpose of social survey is not to
increase knowledge but is related to welfare side of the society. The results gained from a
social survey helps and directs the government to proceed in necessary steps to solve a
social problems.
 Social Research – Definition, Types and Methods

 Qualitative methods rely on direct communication with members of a market,

observation, text analysis. ...
 Quantitative methods use statistical analysis techniques to evaluate data collected via
surveys, polls or questionnaires.

What are the causes of the generation gap?

Generation gaps are caused by increased life expectancy, rapid changes in society, and
the mobility of society. Effects of the generation gap include conflict among family
members of different generations and misunderstandings.

What is the Marxist theory in sociology?

Marxist sociology. Marxist sociology is the study of sociology from a Marxist
perspective. ... Marxist sociology is "a form of conflict theory associated with
...Marxism's objective of developing a positive (empirical) science of capitalist society
as part of the mobilization of a revolutionary working class."

What is Karl Marx best known for?

These books laid the foundation for Marx and Engels's most famous work, a political
pamphlet that has since come to be commonly known as The Communist Manifesto. ...
In late 1847, Marx and Engels began writing what was to become theirmost
famous work — a programme of action for the Communist League.

What is a Marxist point of view?

The Marxist perspective is the study of the struggle between the upper, lower, and
middle class. The basis of this perspective is economics. Marx found that economic was
the driving force behind society. Often, the quest for wealth defines
character.Marxist look for oppression of a lower class by an upper class.
What is Marxist theory sociology?
Marxism. Marxism is a political, social, and economic philosophy derived from the
work of the 19th-century historians Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It views human
history as a struggle between social classes and asserts that capitalism is inherently
exploitative.

Marx thought that this class struggle would result in workers taking power. He believed
that no one should have power over another, that everyone should be equal. His most
famous book was the Communist Manifesto. He wrote it with Friedrich Engels in 1848.
... Marx's most popular theory was his 'materialism'.