Sociology is a science that studies the relationships between people who belong to a community or different groups and make up a society. Sociology belongs to the group of social sciences.
The term “sociology” means “the doctrine of society” (from Latin societas – society, company, association + Greek logos – word, doctrine, reason).
A sociologist is someone who studies society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, societies, and social movements that people develop.
Most sociologists work in research organizations, colleges and universities, regional and federal government, and consulting firms.
The object of sociological study is society. The subject of study of sociology encompasses the analysis of all phenomena of interactions between people and communities, social strata, social mobility, values, organizations, norms and laws, conflicts and forms of cooperation that emerge through social relations, it is the social life of society.
The word “social” refers to the life of the society in relation to their relationships.
Sociology studies the relationships of formalities that exist in societies and in life in general.
Since sociology deals with facts and reality, it does not establish the rules of society or the characteristics of human behavior, as this is the purpose of social philosophy and ethics.
Sociology covers many different fields, including military sociology and sociology of business, sociology of art and sociology of film, sociology of youth and sociology of childhood, sociology of the city, sociology of science, environmental sociology, and many others.
Through the study of phenomena that recur in social interactions, sociologists observe general patterns to formulate theories about social facts.
Sociology’s research methods include qualitative methods (detailed descriptions of situations and behaviors) and quantitative methods (statistical analysis).