After reading Chapter One, the student should be able to:
- Explain the sociological perspective, discussing how ideas like social location, the connection between biography and history, and increased globalization contribute to our understanding of human behavior.
- Understand what qualifies knowledge and theory as being science.
- Discuss how and why sociology emerged as a science in the middle of the nineteenth century in Europe, explaining the contributions made by early European sociologists.
- Trace the development of sociology in the United States in the late 19th century, identifying the contributions made by early American sociologists.
- Compare and contrast sociology as it developed in Europe and how it developed in America.
- Explain the major points and chief differences in three major theoretical perspectives: symbolic interactionism, functional analysis, and conflict theory.
- Compare micro-level and macro-level analysis and state when each level of analysis is most appropriate to use.
- Identify the eight steps in a research model and construct a research project based on this model.
- Understand and apply the major concepts associated with research, including hypothesis, variables, operational definition, research method, validity, and reliability.
- List and describe the six research methods identified in the textbook, noting the major advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Describe the major ethical issues involved in sociological research; demonstrate these issues by using the Brajuha and Humphreys research as examples.
- Discuss how research and theory work together. Note reasons why most research must be conducted under less than ideal circumstances
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