Research Methods and Deviance There are three ways that someone could do sociological research. These three ways include positivist sociology, interpretive sociology, and critical sociology. Although these ways to do sociology have many strengths, there are also weaknesses within each method. These methods are used to research many things, but one in particular is deviance amongst society and the functions which it plays. The first way to do sociological research is positivist sociology. By definition, positivist sociology is “the study of society based on scientific observation of social behavior” (mac 16). The scientists who use this method are interested in what science has to offer for explanation in a sociological context. Using
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Statistics are used to determine whether there is a cause and effect relationship with what they are researching or if the information only correlates. A cause and effect relationship is where a variable, known as the independent variable directly affects another one, known as the dependent variable. A correlation is where the two variables may rise and drop together, but the independent variable does not directly affect the outcome of the dependent variable (18). An example of a correlation is if divorce rates sky rocket at the same time that the popularity of honey mustard does. This does not mean that people are getting a divorce because of honey …show more content…
Stated by Macias, “deviance is the recognized violation of cultural norms” (158). Many believe that deviance is due to the wrongdoings of an individual, yet this is not necessarily true. Deviance is shaped by society and differs throughout each and every society on Earth. There are three social foundations when it comes to deviance. The first foundation deals with how deviance varies in relation to what the norms a culture may have. This may have to do with a law being regulated in one place, but not another (macias 158). For example, 14 states across the United States ban individuals from using hand held cell phones while driving (GHSA). Between the array of different countries, deviance is very diverse. For example, some countries do not allow women to wear makeup, such as Iran (macias 158). The second foundation deals with people becoming deviant as they are labeled with that status. For example, if someone checked the sweetness of a bag of grapes by eating one and someone saw, they could say they were shoplifting. This title would stick. The third foundation deals with how rules are defined in consideration to social power. A homeless man on the sidewalk speaking his mind could get arrested for disturbing peace, where are people running for elections can speak their mind with guards
Statistics are used to determine whether there is a cause and effect relationship with what they are researching or if the information only correlates. A cause and effect relationship is where a variable, known as the independent variable directly affects another one, known as the dependent variable. A correlation is where the two variables may rise and drop together, but the independent variable does not directly affect the outcome of the dependent variable (18). An example of a correlation is if divorce rates sky rocket at the same time that the popularity of honey mustard does. This does not mean that people are getting a divorce because of honey …show more content…
Stated by Macias, “deviance is the recognized violation of cultural norms” (158). Many believe that deviance is due to the wrongdoings of an individual, yet this is not necessarily true. Deviance is shaped by society and differs throughout each and every society on Earth. There are three social foundations when it comes to deviance. The first foundation deals with how deviance varies in relation to what the norms a culture may have. This may have to do with a law being regulated in one place, but not another (macias 158). For example, 14 states across the United States ban individuals from using hand held cell phones while driving (GHSA). Between the array of different countries, deviance is very diverse. For example, some countries do not allow women to wear makeup, such as Iran (macias 158). The second foundation deals with people becoming deviant as they are labeled with that status. For example, if someone checked the sweetness of a bag of grapes by eating one and someone saw, they could say they were shoplifting. This title would stick. The third foundation deals with how rules are defined in consideration to social power. A homeless man on the sidewalk speaking his mind could get arrested for disturbing peace, where are people running for elections can speak their mind with guards