Theory & Methods – Page 3 – Sociology at Work

Applied Sociology Roles, Skills and Methods – New Series

People walk in a crowded place with a train station in the background

What are the roles that applied sociologists take on? What skills and methods do they apply in order to carry out their work? What workplace issues do they face? How do they manage their professional challenges and celebrate their triumphs?

The Utility of Participant Observation in Applied Sociological Research

Hundreds of Muslim men bow down in prayer, with their heads on mats in the middle of a street

Jan Ali describes how he used participant observation to study the religious practices of the Tablighi Jama’at. He considers how this metholodogy is an example of applied sociological practice. By Jan Ali Participant observation has long been an important social inquiry tool in sociological investigation of the social world and in applied sociology. It isContinueContinue reading “The Utility of Participant Observation in Applied Sociological Research”

Using Sociology in Market Research

Three Black people brainstorm in a room. Two of them sit in front of laptops, while anothe woman presents

We explore the evolving history of sociological contributions to market research. We then delve into a current example of sociology used in a social marketing project for a government organisation.

Open Data, Open Access and What They Mean for Applied Sociology

White people work on large screens in a large office

Data are necessary for robust social science but very expensive to collect. Current regulations limit the ability for public servants and researchers sharing their data with the public. What does the open data movement mean for applied sociologists? Here’s two brief case studies on what’s happening in the European Union and in the USA. Open Data inContinueContinue reading “Open Data, Open Access and What They Mean for Applied Sociology”

Using Sociology to Support Domestic Violence Victims

Aerial view of two Black women sit on a couch, holding hands, while one looks down

We explore the experience delivering care in domestic violence shelters, and how this differs from the academic theories of domestic violence survivors.

Roots of Sociological Theory and Methods

Thick trunks and roots of rubber trees in Cairns ,Australia

Two new infographics from Norton Sociology depict sociology’s seminal works, as well as its early founders.

To Be or Not to Be ‘Too Academic’: Theory and Practice in Applied Contexts

Three women with their backs to us hold us their blue graduation caps in front of a building that says, 'ACADEMICS'

Welcome to the second edition of Working Notes, the online bulletin for Sociology At Work. In this edition, we tackle the question of what it means to be ‘too academic’ in an applied context. The idea of being ‘too academic’ (or ‘not academic enough’ as the case may be) refers to a way of definingContinueContinue reading “To Be or Not to Be ‘Too Academic’: Theory and Practice in Applied Contexts”

Do It Yourself Social Research and Everyday Evaluation: Lessons From a 40-year Career as an Applied Sociologist. Melbourne, Australia

A white woman stands beside a board with a marker taking notes in room with others brainstorming

Yoland Wadsworth has been working as an applied sociologist for almost four decades in Melbourne, Australia. She specialises in action research techniques, having worked with various research centres within universities as well as with state government research centres, and she also takes on other consultancy work. She writes about her new book which brings togetherContinueContinue reading “Do It Yourself Social Research and Everyday Evaluation: Lessons From a 40-year Career as an Applied Sociologist. Melbourne, Australia”

Addressing Disadvantage: Applying Theory to Practice. Melbourne, Australia

A white woman sits in front of a laptop, with her hands over her eyes

Dina Bowman talks about her work with a not-for-profit organisation in Melbourne, Australia, which addresses social disadvantage through services, advocacy and research. Dina’s current research focus is on understanding inequality in the ‘working years’. She outlines how it is possible to use social theory in an applied context in order to address inequality and toContinueContinue reading “Addressing Disadvantage: Applying Theory to Practice. Melbourne, Australia”

Accounting for Sociology in a World of Auditors, UK

The back of a white man's head. He is typing on a laptop showing graphs, with reading glasses and a mobile phone beside him

Michael Hughes is the Director of Studies and Knowledge for the Audit Commission, UK, reviewing reports on local government services. He tells us why we should ‘never underestimate the value of a sociology degree in providing a foundation of skills and concepts for understanding other disciplines and their models’. Michael Hughes michael-hughes@audit-commission.gov.uk I am DirectorContinueContinue reading “Accounting for Sociology in a World of Auditors, UK”