The sociological quest: an introduction to the study of social life

"Starting sociology can be daunting. This user-friendly introduction takes the reader on a quest towards a sociological understanding of the world we live in. Using contemporary examples, The Sociological Quest asks what is distinctive about the way sociologists view society. Haydn Aarons and Evan Willis show that they are concerned with the relationships between the individual and society, and that a sociological analysis involves an approach which is historical, cultural, structural, and critical. This sixth edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and includes new material on identities, social change, social movements, populism, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, digital interaction, and social media. Also included in the sixth edition is an expanded chapter on empirical research in sociology and the research process, as well as a new chapter on careers in sociology"--

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- Preface -- 1 Introduction -- The Origins of Sociology -- What's to Come? -- References -- 2 The Nature of Sociological Explanation -- Sociological and Social Problems -- The Sociological Imagination -- Reflexivity -- Continuity and Change -- Some Key Questions -- Conclusion -- References -- 3 Sociology's Place in the Academy -- The Science of Sociology -- Distinguishing Sociological Explanation -- Social Structure -- Contradiction -- Society and the Individual -- Conclusion -- References -- 4 The Sociological Imagination -- Historical -- Cultural -- Historical and Cultural Considerations Together -- Conclusion -- References -- 5 Structure and Critique -- Structural -- Critical -- Structural and Critical Considerations Together -- Conclusion -- References -- 6 The Social and the Biological World -- The Social and Biological Worlds -- Biological Determinism and Ideology -- Conclusion -- References -- 7 Theory and Method -- Doing Sociology -- On Theory -- The Underlying Assumptions -- The Three Major Perspectives -- Functionalism -- Conflict Theories -- Interactionism -- An example - the Sociology of Death -- Conclusion -- References -- 8 How Do We Know? -- Qualitative Data -- Quantitative Data -- The Research Process -- Conclusion -- References -- 9 Doing Sociology (And Getting Paid for It): Careers and Applications -- Accreditation and Recognition -- Value Adding -- Welfare and Humanitarian Work -- Public Policy or Social Policy -- Private Industry -- Marketing -- Human Resources -- Social Impact Research and Evaluation -- Journalism and Private Research Companies -- Higher Degrees and Further Training -- Enhancing a CV, and Internships and Work Placements -- Quantitative Skills -- How I Used These Skills -- Qualitative Skills -- How I Used These Skills.