Doing Sociology: Research Methods | Class 11 Sociology Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 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.
Surveys
Surveys are one of the most widely used sociological research methods, designed to provide a comprehensive overview of a subject by collecting information from a representative sample of respondents. Surveys are conducted by teams including researchers who design the study and assistants who collect data. Questions may be asked orally during personal visits or telephone calls, in writing through questionnaires, or electronically via email or internet forms. Surveys allow generalization from a small sample to a large population, making them efficient for studying large groups with manageable resources. The key to survey validity is selecting a representative sample, achieved through stratification (recognizing and including all relevant sub-groups) and randomization (selecting units purely by chance). For example, a survey studying rural communities might stratify villages by size and randomly select from each category. The Indian Census is the largest comprehensive survey, covering every household, while the National Statistical Organisation conducts large sample surveys regularly. Surveys reveal aggregate social issues not visible at individual levels, such as the alarming decline in the child sex ratio in India. However, surveys have limitations: they offer breadth but limited depth, rely on structured questionnaires, and may face non-sampling errors like biased questions or respondent dishonesty. Sensitive questions may not be answered truthfully due to lack of trust or rapport. Despite these challenges, surveys remain indispensable for large-scale social research.
📊 Diagram: Table on page 17 (8×4)
🧪 Activity: Activity 4: Discuss surveys encountered in media, noting if margin of error, sample size, and selection methods were reported. Critically evaluate reliability of such surveys.
🔗 Connection: Prepares for discussion on interviews as a flexible research method.
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 |
Table on page 10 (3×1)
| Activity 3 |
|---|
| If you live in a village: Try to describe your village to someone who has never been there. What would be the main features of your life in the village that you would want to emphasise? You must have seen villages as they are shown in films or on television. What do you think of these villages, and how do they differ from yours? Think also of the cities you have seen which are shown in film or on television: would you want to live in them? Give reasons for your answer. |
| If you live in a town or a city: Try to describe your neighbourhood to someone who has never been there. What would be the main features of your life in the neighbourhood that you would want to emphasise? How does your neighbourhood differ from (or resemble) city neighbourhoods as shown in film or on television? You must have seen villages being shown in film or on television: would you want to live in them? Give reasons for your answer. |
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.