Theory & Methods

Phoenix, J. (2023) ‘Ethics in social research: a voice from the field’, Sociology Review, 32 (4), pp.26-29.
Day-to-day field research inevitably raises any number of situational ethical dilemmas. How should we respond, and how do we distinguish between knowledge and politics in research? This article supports your study of Theory and methods. Look out for the AQA exam-style question in this article.

Pountney, L. (2023) ‘Question and answer: how to answer an AQA-style theory 20 mark question’, Sociology Review, 32 (4), pp.23-25.
Laura Pountney explores what makes an excellent essay for a theory 20-mark question. This essay could appear at the end of AQA Paper 3, in the Theory and Methods section.

Pountney, L. (2023) ‘Question and answer: AQA: how to write a 20-mark methods essay’, Sociology Review, 32 (3), pp.31-33.
This issue offers advice for all students on approaching and structuring methods essays.

Stephens-Griffin, N. (2023) ‘Sociology and researching underocver policing’, Sociology Review, 32 (3), pp.2-5.
How does researching undercover policing in the UK relate to sociology’s core interests in gender, abuse of power, crime, social change and justice?

Hammersley, M. (2022) ‘Sociology and objectivity’, Sociology Review, 32 (2), pp.22-25.
Can sociology be an objective, unbiased subject where the researcher can put aside their own beliefs in pursuit of the ‘truth’? This article supports your unit on Theory and methods. Look out for the exam-style question in this article

Pountney, L. (2021) ‘Where do sociological methods come from?’, Sociology Review, 30 (3), pp.13-15.
We take a look at the important question: ‘Why do sociologists spend so much time discussing the methods they use in their research?’

Buffel, T. and Philipson, C. (2020) ‘Researching older people in gentrifying neighbourhoods’, Sociology Review, 30 (1), pp.6-10.
Working together with local people as co-researchers can help to produce better results – and an important neighbourhood resource.

Holborn, M. (2020) ‘Max Weber and sociology 100 years on’, Sociology Review, 29 (3), pp.28-31.
The great German sociologist Max Weber was born on 21 April 1864 and died on 14 June 1920. As we mark the centenary of his death, we ask why his work is still relevant today.

Selwyn, N. (2020) ‘What is digital sociology’, Sociology Review, 30 (1), pp.12-15.
How can sociology maintain its cutting-edge relevance in a world in which digital technology has become such a mainstream feature of all our lives.