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Sociology

Data and Statistics

Data and statistics are not just numbers; they are the tools that unlock a deeper understanding of society, culture, and human behavior – the very core of your sociology studies.

Why Data and Statistics Matter for Your Sociology Degree:

  • Understanding Social Phenomena: Data reveals the patterns and trends that shape our world. From income inequality and crime rates to marriage trends and educational attainment, statistical analysis allows you to investigate the complex social issues you're studying.
  • Evidence-Based Arguments: In sociology, your arguments hold more weight when backed by concrete data. By analysing surveys, census data, or experimental results, you can provide solid evidence to support your claims, whether it's about the impact of social media on mental health or the effectiveness of a new social program.
  • Measuring Social Change: Data allows you to track how society evolves over time. By comparing statistics from different eras or regions, you can measure the impact of policies, cultural shifts, or technological advancements on various social groups.
  • Identifying Inequalities: Statistical analysis can expose hidden disparities in society. For example, analysing income data can reveal the extent of economic inequality, while demographic data can shed light on disparities in health outcomes or educational opportunities.
  • Informing Social Policy: Policymakers rely on sociological data to make informed decisions. Quality research, supported by data, can influence the design of social programs, the allocation of resources, or the development of new laws.

Tips for Using Data and Statistics in Your Sociology Research:

  • Define Your Research Question: What specific social issue or phenomenon are you interested in? Your question will guide your choice of data sources and statistical methods.
  • Choose the Right Data: Explore a wide range of sources, including government statistics, surveys, academic datasets, and even social media data. Consider the reliability, validity, and relevance of each source to your research question.
  • Learn Statistical Methods: Familiarise yourself with statistical techniques like descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode), inferential statistics (hypothesis testing), and regression analysis.
  • Interpret with Caution: Data can be complex. Be mindful of potential biases, limitations, and alternative explanations for your findings. Always consider the broader social context when interpreting your results.
  • Communicate Clearly: Present your findings in a way that is accessible to both your peers and a wider audience. Use clear language, visuals like charts and graphs, and avoid statistical jargon when possible.

By mastering data and statistics, you're not just learning a skill; you're gaining the power to understand society on a deeper level, to advocate for change, and to make a real difference in the world.

As a sociology student delving into the world of data-driven research, these resources are your key to uncovering hidden patterns, measuring social change, and supporting your arguments with concrete evidence:

Core Data Repositories:

  • Statista: While not exclusively sociological, Statista offers a wealth of data on demographics, social trends, and public opinion, which can be relevant to your research.
  • Mintel: While primarily focused on consumer markets, Mintel reports can provide insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors that may be relevant to your research, such as political attitudes, social trends, and ethical consumption patterns.
  • UK Data Service: This national treasure trove of social and economic data offers a wide range of datasets, including the British Social Attitudes Survey, Understanding Society, and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. These resources cover topics like social mobility, health inequalities, and family dynamics, providing ample opportunities for quantitative analysis.
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): For research focused on the UK, the ONS is your go-to source. It provides comprehensive statistics on demographics, employment, crime, health, and more, allowing you to explore social trends and disparities across the country.
  • World Bank Open Data: If your research has a global scope, the World Bank's Open Data platform offers a wealth of information on development indicators, poverty rates, education levels, and other crucial social and economic factors across countries.

Specialised Resources:

  • Pew Research Center: While primarily focused on public opinion, Pew Research Center's datasets on social trends, demographics, and political attitudes can be valuable for exploring the intersections of society, culture, and politics.
  • OECD Data: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) offers data on a wide range of social and economic issues in member countries, making it valuable for comparative research on topics like education, employment, and social policy.
  • United Nations Data: Offers data on various global issues, such as population, health, education, and human rights.
  • Government Websites: National governments and international organisations often publish official statistics and data on their websites.
  • Opinion Polls: Data on social attitudes and opinions via companies such as Pew Research Center, Ipsos Mori, Gallup, YouGov etc.

Additional Resources:

  • The General Social Survey (GSS): This long-running US survey offers data on social trends, attitudes, and behaviors, making it a valuable resource for comparative research on American society.
  • Social Science Research Network (SSRN): This online repository contains working papers and pre-publication research in various social science disciplines, including sociology. It's a great place to discover cutting-edge research and emerging trends.

Data Analysis Tools:

  • SPSS: This statistical software package is widely used in social science research for data analysis and visualisation. Guidance on downloading and installing is available here.
  • NVIVO: This software package is specifically designed for the analysis of qualitative data. Guidance on downloading and installing is available here.
  • Google Public Data Explorer: This tool allows you to explore and visualise public datasets from various sources, including the World Bank, OECD, and Eurostat.

Additional Tips for Maximising Your Research:

  • Explore Beyond Databases: Look for relevant government reports, open-access publications, and datasets from reputable organisations like the World Health Organization or the World Bank.
  • Think Critically: Always evaluate the quality and relevance of the sources you find. Consider the author's expertise, potential biases, and the methodology used in data collection.

What is SPSS?

SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) is a powerful software tool used by sociologists and other social scientists to analyse and interpret data. Think of it as your digital research assistant, equipped to handle complex calculations, uncover hidden patterns, and help you draw meaningful conclusions from your data.

How Does SPSS Work?

  • Data Organisation: SPSS allows you to import data from various sources, like surveys, experiments, or existing datasets. You can organise and clean this data, ensuring it's ready for analysis.
  • Statistical Analysis: SPSS offers a wide range of statistical tools, from basic descriptive statistics (e.g., means, frequencies) to advanced techniques like regression analysis, factor analysis, and ANOVA. These tools help you test hypotheses, examine relationships between variables, and identify significant trends.
  • Data Visualisation: SPSS lets you create visually appealing graphs, charts, and tables to present your findings clearly and effectively. This is crucial for communicating your research results to others.

Why You Might Need SPSS in Sociology:

  • Quantitative Research: If your research involves numerical data, like survey responses, experimental results, or demographic information, SPSS is invaluable. It can help you analyse large datasets and draw statistically sound conclusions.
  • Hypothesis Testing: SPSS allows you to test your research hypotheses rigorously. You can determine whether observed patterns in your data are statistically significant or likely due to chance.
  • Identifying Relationships: SPSS can help you uncover relationships between variables, such as the correlation between education level and income or the impact of a social program on participants' well-being.
  • Professional Development: Learning to use SPSS is a valuable skill for future sociologists. It demonstrates your ability to conduct rigorous research and analyse data, which is highly sought after in academic and professional settings.

Getting Started with SPSS:

  • LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning offers several SPSS courses, both for beginners and those looking to develop their skills further. Their courses provide comprehensive instruction and practical exercises to help you master the software.
  • Online Tutorials: There are many free online tutorials and guides available for SPSS beginners. YouTube channels like "Research By Design" (with puppies!) or "Data Demystified", and websites like Laerd Statistics offer comprehensive lessons.
  • SPSS Manuals and Books: Consider consulting an SPSS manual or textbook. These provide in-depth explanations of the software's features and statistical concepts. You can browse the library's section via Library Search here.
  • Learn from Lecturers: If you are expected to use SPSS as part of your Sociology degree, your lecturers should provide training within some of your classes or lectures.

What is NVivo?

NVivo is a powerful software tool designed for qualitative data analysis. It's like a virtual workbench for your research, helping you organise, explore, and interpret rich, non-numerical data like interview transcripts, focus group discussions, field notes, and even social media posts.

How Does NVivo Work?

  • Data Management: NVivo allows you to import and organise various types of qualitative data. You can create projects, import files, and even transcribe audio or video recordings directly within the software.
  • Coding and Analysis: Coding is the heart of qualitative analysis, and NVivo excels at it. You can create codes (labels) for different themes, concepts, or ideas in your data. Then, you can easily assign these codes to relevant sections of your text, making it easier to identify patterns and connections.
  • Queries and Visualisations: NVivo's powerful query tools help you explore your data in depth. You can ask questions like "What are the most common themes mentioned by participants?" or "How do different groups of participants talk about a particular topic?" NVivo can then generate visual representations of your findings, such as word clouds, network diagrams, or comparison charts.

Why You Might Need NVivo in Sociology:

  • Qualitative Research: If your research involves qualitative data, NVivo is a game-changer. It streamlines the often-laborious process of coding and analysing large volumes of text, saving you time and effort.
  • Theme Development: NVivo helps you identify recurring themes and patterns in your data, which is essential for developing a rich understanding of your research topic.
  • Theory Building: By exploring relationships between codes and concepts, NVivo can help you develop and refine sociological theories based on your data.
  • Mixed Methods Research: NVivo can be used in conjunction with quantitative analysis tools, allowing you to combine qualitative and quantitative data for a more comprehensive understanding of your research question.

Getting Started with NVivo:

  • LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning offers a range of material on qualitative research and coding. It's pretty light on NVivo specifically, but it can provide some good introductory material to qualitative research in general.
  • Online Tutorials: There are many free online tutorials and guides available for NVivo beginners. YouTube is a good source - this playlist is a good introduction for beginners, and Lumivero provides comprehensive guidance and three initial tutorials, as well as further videos on YouTube.
  • NVivo Manuals and Books: Consider consulting an NVivo manual or textbook. These provide in-depth explanations of the software's features and statistical concepts. You can browse the library's section via Library Search here.
  • Learn from Lecturers: If you are expected to use NVivo as part of your Sociology degree, your lecturers should provide training within some of your classes or lectures.