Applied Sociology Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Applied Sociology?
Applied sociology is the application of sociological theory and research to solve real-world problems. Applied sociologists are involved in a variety of fields, including social policy, health care, education, business, environment and urban planning. Through their work they strive to bring about positive change in society by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality and discrimination. Applied sociologists use various methods to observe the effects of their interventions on communities or societies at large. These methods include interviews with individuals or groups within a community; surveys; observation techniques; focus groups; network analysis; mapping techniques; historical analysis; content analyses of media sources like newspapers or television programs; and quantitative data analysis using statistical software packages. By employing these methods applied sociologists can identify patterns which may be contributing to social inequalities or other negative phenomena within society that need to be addressed. The primary goal of applied sociology is to reduce suffering caused by social injustice and exploitation. In addition, it seeks to promote social justice through actions such as advocacy for those who are oppressed or discriminated against based on race, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age etc., increasing access to vital resources like healthcare and education for low-income populations and ensuring that policies take into account the interests of vulnerable groups in society. Applied sociology also has an educative role by understanding how different aspects of our lives (such as family life) are affected by economic conditions we can gain new insights into our lives which will hopefully lead us towards more equitable outcomes for all members of society regardless of background or circumstance.