SOCA02H3 Chapter : How Sociologists Do Research
Document Summary
The fact that experience filters perceptions is the single biggest problem for sociological research. we can never perceive society in a pure or objective form. What we can do is use techniques of data collection that minimize bias. We can also clearly and publicly describe the filters that influence our perceptions. Doing so: enables us to eliminate obvious sources of bias, helps others see biases we miss and t ry to correct for them. researchers generally try to be objective in order to perceive reality as clearly as possible. although objectivity is a reality check, subjectivity leads us to define which aspects of reality are worth checking on in the first place. scientists, including sociologists, develop ways of collecting, observing, and thinking about evidence that minimize their chance of drawing biased conclusions. Matters are never settled: knowledge based on mystification scientists remain skeptical. sociological research seeks to overcome the kind of unscientific thinking described above.
