1. Social Experiments
Experiments are rarely used in Sociology. Many Sociologists point out that you cannot
study human beings in the same way that you can study chemical. To begin with there
are far more variables – Magnesium doesn’t get headaches, or have arguments with its
mum for example!
There are also major ethical issues involved with doing research – and if you gain
informed consent you risk causing the Hawthorne Effect. There is also the problem
that experiments involve a level of artificiality which will make the findings invalid. Also
experiments tend to be short in duration and so can only consider short term changes.
This having been said, there are two types of experiment available to the Sociologist –
Laboratory and Field. Laboratory experiments involve a greater level of control for the
Sociologist, but Field experiments have the advantage of taking place in the real world.
Some Examples of Sociological Experiments:
Example Strengths Weaknesses
Rosenthal and Jacobson Valid – because it was covert it Unethical – there was no
Researchers told teachers some produces truthful responses. informed consent, and it was
randomly selected students had Field Experiment – it took part unfair on the students not
very high IQ’s. Over 18 months in the real world, so it is identified as intelligent.
they studied the children and representative of what the Small scale – they only used a
found they did improve – students would have tiny sample of students.
suggesting teachers opinions experienced anyway.
play a big part in students
success.