Social research methods

People meeting in a room at University of Portsmouth

Social research methods

Explore our work in social research methods, one of our 4 areas of expertise in Sociology

In our social research methods work, we're investigating the different methods, tools, and techniques for studying social phenomena and generating information and data about all aspects of social life.

The distinction needs to be drawn between qualitative and quantitative social research methods. It is the nature or character of the research – the questions to be explored, the phenomena or processes to be studied – that determines the research design and which methods will be most appropriate.

We use a range of research methods to investigate empirical phenomena and social processes relating to a range of social science topics – including social class, taste, identity, race and racism, postcolonialism, gender inequality, the night-time economy, social values, inequalities, food consumption, consumerism, work and employment, happiness and well-being, and ageing and embodiment.

Our research covers the following topics

Interviewing/interviews, including life history/oral history and focus groups
Ethnographic approaches such as observation and participant observation
Surveys and questionnaire design
Case studies, archival research and historical method(s)
Content analysis, textual analysis and semiotics
Discourse analysis, discursive psychology, and conversation analysis
Arts-based methods and photo-elicitation
Social network analysis
Epistemology and the philosophy of social science
Ethical issues in social research
Social criticism and critique

Partnerships

We have partnerships with:

International Sociological Association (ISA)
European Sociological Association (ESA)
British Sociological Association (BSA)
Council for the Defence of British Universities (CDBU)
University and College Union (UCU)
Vegan Society
Research Advisory Committee of the Vegan Society
All Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism
Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics

Publication highlights

Critical Social Research Ethics

Sage Benchmarks in Social Research Series, four volume reference work, edited by Barry Smart, Kay Peggs and Joseph Burridge (Sage 2018), Vol 1 pp liv + 254; Vol II p 335; Vol III pp 379; Vol IV 313
Observation Methods

Sage Benchmarks in Social Research Series, four volume reference work, edited by Barry Smart, Kay Peggs and Joseph Burridge (Sage 2013), Vol I pp xiv + 393; Vol II pp 448; Vol III pp 355; Vol IV pp 355
Participatory design, temporary structures and the appropriation of urban space by marginalized youth: the problem of the Odd Triangle

Journal of Urban Design (2018), 1-16, Leddy-Owen, C., Robazza, G., Scherer, L.
Using photography to enhance GP Trainees’ reflective practice and professional development

Medical Humanities (2018), 44. 158-164, Rutherford, Forde, E., Priego-Hernandez, J., Butcher, A., Wedderburn, C.

Discover our areas of expertise

Social research methods is one of 4 areas of expertise in our Sociology research area. Explore the others below.

Sociology of culture

We're probing the link between culture and power, confronting societal issues, and looking at the ideological function of culture in naturalising them.

Identities and inequalities

We're asking questions around who we are, who is different from us, and who we want to be, to challenge structural violence and reduce inequality.

Social theory

We're drawing on classical and contemporary social thought, philosophy, political economy, social anthropology and history to explain and analyse social processes, issues, and concerns.

Young child holding sign at a climate change protest

Research groups

Citizenship, Race and Belonging

We're researching issues around citizenship and why people are considered to belong within certain nation-states.

Interested in a PhD in Sociology?

Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – at our Sociology & Gender Studies postgraduate research degrees page.