What is sociology? This is one way to study people. Sociologists conduct their work to find out why certain groups are formed in society, why a person does this, and not otherwise, and so on. That is, these researchers are interested in the interaction of people among themselves. Thus, sociology is a science that studies society.
At the same time, she is only interested in the social-human sphere. In addition, on the basis of existing knowledge (philosophical, political, psychological, historical and cultural), she offers her own interpretation of the behavior of people and their social consciousness, forming a vision of human activity at all its levels.
A bit of history
People began to collect and process a variety of empirical data in ancient times. So, historical information is known about the analysis of various social phenomena among the Romans and Greeks, Japanese and Chinese, Egyptians and Hindus, Jews and Persians. The most widespread of all types of such studies was the census. Every two years she was held in ancient Rome and Egypt.
What caused the need for such work? The fact is that the states of the ancient world united on their territory hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions of people. The rulers of these countries needed to properly organize the work and leisure of their people. Invaluable help in this was provided by the collection of data on the socio-economic and demographic composition of the population, on its migration, productive potential, nationalities, strata and distribution by profession. Such statistics allowed the pharaohs and kings to most effectively manage the state.
Social studies were carried out in the Middle Ages. The most striking work of that period, which has come down to the present time, was a body of materials called The Doomsday Book. It was a land census conducted in England in 1086. The result of the work of the French scribes who arrived from Mana and Normandy was the emergence of the institution of direct vassal dependence and the transformation of free peasants into serfs.
The first empirical studies, the analysis of which was intended to solve social problems, began to be carried out in the 17-18 centuries. in the countries of Western Europe.
The emergence of a scientific direction
Sociology as an independent discipline has appeared not only thanks to the centuries-old traditions of conducting social empirical research. This science is based on knowledge of philosophy, history, jurisprudence, political economy, etc. Thus, sociology can be considered as a discipline at the same time theoretical and empirical. However, for a long time, these two directions existed autonomously. This was due to the fact that, starting from the 17th century, government officials, mathematicians and natural scientists were engaged in empirical researchers. As for the development and creation of theoretical sociology, its creation and development fell on the shoulders of philosophers (E. Durkheim, O. Comte, etc.).
Empirical studies were conducted to study the most pressing and pressing problems of society, namely crime and poverty, urbanization, migration, etc. The theoretical direction of sociology was guided only by the past. Empirical confirmation of the created theories was not required. Philosophers had enough ethnographic and historical material.
Fundamental (theoretical) and applied areas
The existing sociological sciences in their predominant orientation are divided into two groups. Namely, fundamental and applied. Theories related to the first of these two groups are aimed at solving a variety of scientific problems. They are directly related to the formation of the conceptual apparatus of this sphere of knowledge, sociological knowledge and research methods. Such theories allow us to solve cognitive problems and answer questions about the object and research method.
Applied sociology is studying the means that society needs to achieve practical goals. At the same time, she is engaged in the search for ways and means of using laws and laws that are already recognized by fundamental theories.
Applied research in sociology relates to various practical branches of human activity and allows us to answer the question “Why?”. That is, to improve social relations, social development, etc. The applied or practical nature of the theories is determined by the contribution they make to the solution of the tasks.
Theoretical and applied sociology are closely related. Fundamental knowledge is in comparison with practical. That is, they do not exclude their applied orientation. That is why the division of theories into the two groups described above is rather arbitrary. Indeed, theoretical and applied sociology, as separate areas, contribute to the solution of both practical and scientific problems.
Definition of discipline and its objectives
So what is applied sociology? This science is relatively young. However, it is already quite in demand by researchers and even managed to create a large number of different directions during its existence. But it is worth noting that the place of applied sociology today is not yet fully understood in the scientific community. Some scholars identify this discipline with ongoing empirical studies of a sociological nature. In addition, it is believed that the practical direction is necessary to highlight specific social processes, institutions, systems, as well as organizations and structures. A similar approach allows us to see this discipline as a set of industry research conducted in the framework of empirical.
Based on these ideas, the main tasks of applied sociology are the practical justification of certain scientific conclusions. The ongoing research should go through several stages. And only after approaching the final stage, it is possible to develop practical recommendations that would allow us to reach our goal.
The essence of discipline
Why is practical research conducted in sociology? Most of them make it possible to identify current problems in society and solve the highest priority tasks. At the same time, applied sociology focuses on issues related to each person. Untimely identification of problems, as well as ignoring their solutions sometimes leads to negative consequences for the state.
The goal of applied sociology is achieved thanks to its functions, with the help of which this discipline has a large number of connections with society. We can say that at its core this science is a reflection of the life of the country's population. Its social purpose is determined by the functions of applied sociology. Among them:
- cognitive;
- informational;
- descriptive;
- social control;
- prognostic.
Sociology is one of those sciences whose studies are aimed at obtaining the information necessary to solve practical problems. This is precisely what its applied function lies in. This question is quite extensive. What is the applied function of sociology? The answer that can be given to this question lies in pointing to a variety of studies, thanks to which this direction is very multifaceted. This is reflected in marketing, economic sociology, management and other branches of knowledge. Moreover, the applied function of sociology is to enrich the sociological theory. After all, it is thanks to the ongoing practical research that more and more new knowledge is accumulating.
Cognitive function
It is she who underlies applied sociology. The cognitive function is realized through the study and description, explanation and analysis of those social phenomena that represent a whole group of interrelated factors. Fulfillment of tasks of this direction is associated with conducting empirical analysis. However, one should not underestimate the theoretical consideration of the identified problem.
In the course of the cognitive function of applied sociology, a definite program of action is drawn up. It formulates goals and objectives, indicates the object and subject of research, contradictions and basic concepts, working hypotheses and expected results, defines the methods and tools necessary to study the problem.
In the course of the manifestation of the cognitive function of applied sociology, there is an increase in new knowledge present in all areas of human life. This allows us to reveal the patterns and prospects of social development of society. However, it is worth noting that the full realization of the cognitive function is impossible without theoretical knowledge of the fundamental direction. At the same time, it becomes necessary to use methodological principles for identifying social processes.
Information function
What will be needed for the implementation of the cognitive process? First of all, data search with the accumulation and subsequent transmission of information. It is this knowledge that researchers will need to make the most significant decisions. In this case, one can observe the implementation of the information function of applied sociology. Systematization and accumulation of data are carried out through the study of processes.
Descriptive function
The information obtained as a result of the research is reflected in reports, scientific publications, in textbooks and books. This implies the following function of applied sociology - descriptive.
Social Control
As mentioned above, the applied function of sociology is to enrich the theoretical foundation of this science. With its help, these or other studies are organized, conducted and analyzed. The data obtained in the future and form the basis of other manifestations of this discipline.
One example of the applied function of sociology is its manifestation in the form of social control. Using this local area, researchers get the most specific information. It is she who in the future will allow for the most effective and efficient control over those social phenomena and processes that take place in society.
Predictive function
How does this direction find its manifestation? The applied function of sociology is to enrich sociological knowledge in the form of a range of opportunities that open up to members of society in a certain period of time. Using such information, it is possible to present both obvious and alternative scenarios for the development of phenomena and processes associated with a political decision made at a particular historical interval. The prognostic function, which allows the theory of applied sociology to be further developed, enables researchers to calculate the likely losses and risks for each of the predicted options for the development of the situation.
Structure
Applied sociology is that area of ​​science that is as close to practice as possible. Moreover, this direction is focused on the use of the information obtained to solve the vital problems of the people who make up society.
A multilevel structure is used to achieve these goals. In applied sociology there are three of them:
- Top level. It is also called general sociological. Theories arising at this stage are considered sociological.
- Middle level. It combines all industry areas. This is the sociology of politics and culture, law, etc.
- Lower level. At this stage of research, specific sociological data are examined.
In addition, macro- and microsociology are also distinguished. This classification depends on the level at which the study of society takes place. For example, at the macro level, attention is paid to large social systems and processes taking place on a global scale. Studies conducted at the micro level pay close attention to the social interactions that arise between people.
Methods used
The purpose of applied sociology is practical recommendations to simplify and improve the regulation and management of various processes in society. Thus, we can say that specialists in this field not only identify existing “diseases”, but also “prescribe medications” in order to cure ailments. However, as a rule, it bears a private, local character.
To solve the tasks in applied sociology, specific research methods have been developed, distinguished:
- in scale (general and private science);
- by levels of knowledge (theoretical and empirical);
- by stages of research (methods of formulating problems, collecting, processing and analyzing information).
In addition, when conducting research, methods are used to find a solution for specific problem situations that occur in social management, practice and planning. Among these methods of applied sociology are analytics, modeling, examination, experiment, etc.
How is such a study conducted? At its first stage, the sociologist transforms the problematic situation into a descriptive model. After that, they make a forecast. On the one hand, it is based on existing trends in the development of social processes, and on the other, it takes into account regulatory recommendations.
The third stage of applied sociological research is the compilation of a “tree of possible solutions”. Here, a specialist considers various combinations of using available resources to implement a specific standard.
At the fourth stage of research, the sociologist will need to collect the information necessary to justify his decisions. After this, specific options for overcoming the current situation should be proposed.
At the seventh stage, a forecast is made on the occurrence of possible problems after the innovation. The final, eighth stage is the implementation of the decision, which is preceded by the development of regulations, instructions and other regulatory documents.
When conducting research, various methods of applied sociology can be used. Among them:
- Observation. This method is a perception of the phenomena of reality. During the observations, the sociologist collects information about the object of study regarding its external sides, relations and states of the participants. To collect data, a specialist will need special equipment in the form of a camera, camcorder or voice recorder. The information received by the sociologist is entered in the diary of observations.
- Experiment. The basis of this method is the creation of a controlled interaction in predetermined conditions between the object and the researcher. In contrast to the observations in this case, an artificial environment is created to obtain the data. It can influence the reaction and behavior of the object, allowing you to achieve the most unexpected result.
- Analysis of documents. It represents the processing of text messages of various nature found in protocols or reports, resolutions, regulatory legal acts or in the media.
- Content Analysis This method is aimed at obtaining the most important information of a sociological nature when using large arrays containing documentary sources.