Sociological research : how do we learn about society

"Hearing jargon like 'sociological research' and 'statistical analysis' may trigger horrid visions of crunching numbersl, learning terms and memorising formulas for hours on end. However, learning the actual nitty-gritty of research methods is very different from that. While it is true that research requires dealing with data and measurements, it also allows you to delve into the behaviours of your society. Research methods are the scientific procedures that sociologists use to conduct research and develop knowledge about a particular topic. So, to fully understand what sociology is, you have to be aware of what a sociologist does. And that means leaming to think and act like a sociologist."