Sociology 2206A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: Institute Of Historical Research, Historical Method, Political Sociology

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2206A/B
• Professor: Stephen Lin

Document Summary

Use of historical method (social change, political sociology, social movements, social stratification) Historical research powerful method for addressing big questions ex. Questioning how major social institutions have developed and changed over centuries. Suited for examining the combinations of social factors that produce a specific outcome. Appropriate for comparing entire social systems to see commonalities. Need knowledge of past or other cultures to fully understand them. The logic of historical research and quantitative research. Positivist, quantitative researchers may reject the idea that there is a distinct historical method. They see no fundamental difference between quantitative social research and historical research. The logic of historical research and interpretive research. Historical research is an intensive examination of limited number of case studies in which social meaning and context are critical case studies can elaborate on historical processes and specify concrete historical details. Positivist approach criticizes the historical approach say it is inadequate because it rarely produces generalizations.