Doing Sociology: Research Methods | Class 11 Sociology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
Doing Sociology: Research Methods – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Doing Sociology: Research Methods from Class 11 Sociology, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Aggregate Statistics: the Alarming Decline in the Sex Ratio
Aggregate statistics derived from large-scale surveys or censuses reveal social issues not visible at the individual or family level. One critical issue in India is the declining child sex ratio—the number of girls per 1,000 boys in the 0-6 years age group. This ratio has steadily fallen over decades, indicating fewer girls being born relative to boys, with particularly alarming levels in states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh. The child sex ratio is a macro-level variable that emerges only when data from large populations are collated; individual families’ gender compositions may vary and not reflect this trend. The Census of India reports the following child sex ratios: India overall declined from 945 girls per 1,000 boys in 1991 to 914 in 2011; Punjab dropped from 875 to 846; Haryana from 879 to 830; Delhi from 915 to 866; Gujarat from 928 to 890; Himachal Pradesh from 951 to 906. This decline highlights deep-rooted social problems such as gender discrimination and prenatal sex selection. Such issues can only be studied effectively through large-scale surveys or censuses that provide aggregate data. Other social problems, like poverty levels or literacy rates, also require such macro-level data for analysis.
📊 Diagram: Table on page 17 (8×4)
🔗 Connection: Introduces the interview method as a flexible sociological research technique.
Table on page 17 (8×4)
| Number of girls per 1,000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | |
| India | 945 | 927 | 914 |
| Punjab | 875 | 798 | 846 |
| Haryana | 879 | 819 | 830 |
| Delhi | 915 | 868 | 866 |
| Gujarat | 928 | 883 | 890 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 951 | 896 | 906 |
Frequently asked questions
Why is sociology called a social science despite dealing with familiar aspects of everyday life?
Sociology is called a social science because it uses systematic scientific methods to study society and social phenomena, rather than relying solely on personal experience or common sense. For example, sociologists gather data through research methods to understand social groups, institutions, and relationships scientifically.
What is the difference between 'method' and 'methodology' in sociology?
Method refers to the specific procedures or techniques used to gather data in sociology, while methodology is the study of these methods and the general problems of scientific knowledge-gathering beyond any one method. For example, methodology addresses how to ensure objectivity and validity in research.
In sociology, why is achieving objectivity more challenging than in natural sciences?
Objectivity is harder in sociology because sociologists study the social world they themselves are part of, which can lead to personal biases and influence from their own social context. For example, a sociologist studying a caste different from their own may be affected by prevailing societal attitudes.
What is 'self-reflexivity' in sociological research and why is it important?
Self-reflexivity is the process by which sociologists continuously examine and question their own assumptions, attitudes, and biases during research. It is important because it helps reduce personal bias and allows researchers to adopt the perspective of others, improving the validity of their findings.
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Clear NCERT-aligned notes on INDIAN SOCIOLOGISTS for Class 11 Sociology.
- INDIAN SOCIOLOGISTS | Class 11 Sociology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on INDIAN SOCIOLOGISTS for Class 11 Sociology.
- INDIAN SOCIOLOGISTS | Class 11 Sociology Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on INDIAN SOCIOLOGISTS for Class 11 Sociology.