Public Sociology Toolkit

The Public Sociology Toolkit is information about the methods and skills we use to study social issues, and work toward social change. Click on a method to learn more.

Case Studies
Performing an in depth analysis on an instance of a place, person, group or phenomenon, in order to illustrate a thesis or principle.

Community Mapping
Creating a visual map of resources, or phenomena, to empower community members to locate resources, organize, and work for social change.

Community Organizing
Working with and developing leaders, to organize people with a similar concerns and/or geographic locations to work for social change.

Content Analysis
The qualitative or quantitative analysis of texts of various types including writing, images, recordings and cultural artifacts.

Dispute Resolution
Working with parties in conflict come to resolutions. Building community through moderating diverse interests and goals.

Ethnography
The systematic observation and/or description of the customs, norms and interactions of a group, institution or organization.

Experiments
Providing insight into cause-and-effect relationships by demonstrating how outcomes vary by the application of a test, or treatment.

Focus Groups
Guiding a diverse group of people assembled to discuss a research topic, or a community concern, with the goal of gathering opinions and experiences.

Grant Writing
Using research and methods to apply for funding from an institution such as
government, a corporation, or a foundation.

Literature Reviews
Synthesizing academic and/or best practice research into a review organized around themes, concepts or trends.

Needs Assessments
Systematically determining and addressing gaps between a group’s mission or goals and current accomplishments.

Participatory Action Research
Understanding the social world, and informing social change, by collaboration with community partners, research and reflection.

Policy Analysis
Systematically analyzing and evaluation governmental or organizational policies to determine best approaches in a diverse society/workforce

Program Evaluation
The systematic acquisition and assessment of information to provide useful feedback about a program, project or product

Project Management
Planning, organizing and motivating a team, and resources, through procedures and processes to achieve specific goals for social change.

Qualitative Interviews
Solving research questions, and attempting to understand the social world, through asking people about their points of view and lives.

Secondary Data Analysis
Using quantitative and qualitative analysis skills to examine data collected, including those from federal or state agencies, or local organizations.