Author: Somdatta Mukherjee

Before delving in to the intensity of research methodology let me start with a common scene in your university. You are in your university cafeteria, with a cup of coffee or tea and you begin with stating:

You: “I can’t understand how Justin Bieber or Luis Fonsi can have almost 50 million followers!”

You friend (while taking a sip from the cup): “Can you imagine Disney World is so crowded that it is difficult to get ticket irrespective of seasons!”.

You: Really! Do you find more interest in children’s Disney World than watching and listening to Bieber or Fonsi?

Your friend: Yes, of course. It doesn’t make any sense to me that people stand in front of their hotels only to get a glimpse of them!!!…

You: Ohh… Come on. You’re not a teenage! It’s far better to see a teenage heart throb than to visit childern’s Disney World.”

These simple and apparently benign everyday ‘common’ conversation as well as observation (though ‘common’ things are not ‘so common’ at all) may have deep rooted sociological interpretations. Sometimes these types of conversations turn in to a debate involving aspects like group dynamics, behavioural aspects, mob mentality, crowd control etc. You can take a deep plunge into by posing question like why Justin Bieber or Luis Fonsi are famous and among what type of mass they are famous. A detailed understanding of the answers of these questions may include the analysis of their voice quality, the words of the songs, the way of presentation, the theme of the chosen song etc. Also, if you wish to analyse the like for Disney World you may need to muse on the characters of Disney, why Mickey Mouse is a cartoon celebrity moreover when it is larger-than-life, how people visiting Disney World feel to live inside their favourite cartoons and so on. In both of these cases gender binary can play an important role as well. To find out hidden reasons behind these facts we need to conduct research not only for these cases but also for other fact-finding areas.

While exploring and/or explaining and/ or describing a particular social structure we, sometimes, need to conduct interviews or simply need to be a keen observer. Thus, sociological research primarily depends upon two major designs: conclusions deriving from statistical description and/ or inference (named as quantitative) and/ or systematic review and interpretive framework from systematic observations (named as qualitative). Since sociology deals with society and interprets it in a systematic manner it needs a proper methodology to be addressed as a social science. For a critical analysis of a particular social structure we need to adopt a well-structured research design. We, sometimes, need help from theories also for the analyses. In this manner a well-defined scientific result can be achieved.

If, we take the example of the cafeteria, from where the questions of research generated, we will see few hidden steps are involved in getting the appropriate result

• We need to define specific questions (here the ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions)
• Collecting information and resources (either through statistical data or observations)
• Forming a statement that needed to be proved correct or incorrect (through step no. 2)
• Analysing the data collected or observation made
• Coming up to a conclusion in a statement form
• Showing your result for future references

Thus, a banal observation or statement may lead to a proper scientific study with the help of a methodology that may give the society something new in terms of the analysis of its structure–function, interaction and/ or conflict. A proper methodological skill enhances observation power and subjective insights. The basic difference between casual observation and sociological insight is- in the case of casual observation there is no standardization (in case of any argument between two people whose point is more accurate and/ or whose point we should follow), but a proper methodology gives that observation a research standard. In this manner a common observation becomes a research question with the help of a proper methodology. Thus, methodology bridges the gap between theory and research. So, start thinking critically (as I discussed before in the segment of why study sociological theories https://adamasuniversity.ac.in/why-study-theories-a-sociological-perspective/ ) and establish your critical thinking by adopting a proper methodology.

 

Today, I will be discussing on the issue of environment in general, and virtual environmentalism in particular.

Framework of thinking about Sociology and Environment

I would like to state that when I talk about environmental sociology then ‘sociology’ comes first and then comes the environmental issues. Thus, we need to understand how environment plays an important role in shaping the society. Hence, both micro and macro sociological perspectives are needed to be applied to this study. The routines of daily life and its embedded social relations are very much part of the cause of world environmental crisis. Attention should be given to human and non-human natures and the role of power and social inequality in shaping this human and non-human interactions. In the light of classical sociological theories we can build new directions towards a better environment building and a critical interdisciplinary approach to environmentalism. Previously, I discussed why we need to study sociological theories. Below is the link for those who have not yet seen that:

Why study virtual environmentalism

Environmentalists everywhere state that it is hard to be environmental in the way that spending time and money in the cause of environment do not bring in immediate changes in society. But general people usually seek immediate results of their efforts they put and the money they spend. In the case of working for environment immediate result is impossible. What we already have done to this environment needs time for its healing. We have already been trapped in the ‘treadmill of production’ and consumption. We do not have time for ‘extra’ (think whether the thought process is really ‘extra’) thoughts. In such cases, we desire for change but ‘easy’ change.

This is why the concept of virtual environmentalism is much needed in our present-day society. It is doing something for our environment without putting much effort! We can make it part of our everyday life without even thinking of it!

Few examples may help you to be a part of virtual environmentalism:

• Using energy efficient electrical appliances
• Using bi-cycle whenever and wherever possible
• A proper recycling method (separating bio-degradable and non-biodegradable trash)
• Switch off the lights and fan or AC before leaving your room
• Stop the tap from constantly flowing water if you are not using it
• Try to avoid food with preservatives (anyway it is not good for your health also)

These are few of those that we always can practice in our everyday life. There are companies that already have started living for a virtual environmental society by giving rebates in environment friendly electrical appliances.

• We can also take few more steps ahead. Don’t you think it is boring for students to sit in your class and listen to your lecture on climate change? Let them have the experience to eradicate the ill effects of global warming in their virtual world.
• You can also let them assess their individual contribution to rising carbon dioxide levels in their virtual world by their ‘carbon footprints’.

In this manner students will learn about environment very quickly and they will try to contribute at least something good for their environment.

The outcome of the study

From this vantage point of view, we can analyse the picture from a sociological perspective where it reflects on environment and society, economy and society, public relations and society behaviourism and society to name a few. Thus, sociology deals with both macro and micro perspective to analyse the subject of environment in general and virtual environmentalism in particular. You would be able to interpret human-nature relationships, environment and various environmental movements, its causes and consequences, human needs and social consumptions, the economics of production and consumption, population growth, the concept of development and under-development, how to be ecologically responsible to name a few. We, being a part of this society and responsible citizen, must know about our environment and how to keep it balanced for our own sake. Thus, studying environmental sociology makes you understand society and environment in a critical way. Join the debates and try to solved the unresolved questions within environmental sociology.

(For further scholarly information consult Borden 2008, Dunlap & York 2008, McCright & Dunlap 2008, Tierney 2007, Goldman & Schurman 2000, Buttel 2002, Durkheim 1950 etc.)

We already discussed why we need to study the subject sociology. You have not yet looked at it here is the link: https://adamasuniversity.ac.in/job-prospects-of-sociology-as-a-discipline/

• A very important part of studying sociology is to study its theories. Usually most of the students find it difficult and unimpressive to study the theory part which is a must do. In this write-up I will explain why we need to study the theories and its implications in our everyday life.

 

• In our everyday life, in minor and major social, cultural economic changes and developments, we all use sociological theories, but in such an implicit way that we are hardly aware of it.

 

• Sociological theories usually deal with the structure and function of configuration (big and/ or small) constructed by human beings.

 

• It talks about fundamental social change and development.

 

• The theories have practical consequences An explicit example can make it easy to understand the importance of studying sociological theories, be it classical or modern.

 

• One of the important examples in the present-day context is, of course, the digital divide. The locus of digital divide prominently exists between the concept of democracy and market-oriented economics.

 

• The metamorphosis, again, depends upon the confluence of its very existence and its typologies. The typologies of digital divide may vary at local, regional, national and/ or international levels; among inhabitants, countries and regions. Each of its specificity has its own exclusive and/ or inclusive background, phenomena (varying from socio-economic and cultural traits and influencing region), evolution trends and specific exclusive and/or all-inclusive

 

• The dominant and all-pervasive concepts of the divide of ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ are in focus.

 

• Countries are now trying to reduce this divide. In doing so, the concept of ‘digital inclusion’ is now very much in the policies. It is indubitable that democratization of internet is a necessity with almost all the sectors being dependent now on digital platform. In that manner the post-modern divide may be ‘information rich’ and ‘information poor’ (Dragulanescu 2002). Thus, the post-modern concept of ‘information poverty’ (Dragulanescu 2002) is in boom!!!… These are influencing the domain of politics, macro-economic stabilization and potential growth in overall development of a country.

 

• We also can not deny the role of internet as an efficient tool for communication (in major sectors in this pandemic crisis) where free expression of ideas is encouraged. In that way, on one hand where there are hope and optimism on the other hand there is confusion too where information and security are not monitored rigidly (as priority was in government, military, industry and research). In this manner smart phone, PC, laptop etc. have been a mode of what we may call ‘democratization of communication’.

 

• The digital divide is not only restricted to ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ but it has now become East-West digital divide in terms of macro-economic stabilization.

 

• But we have to remember that democratization of communication depends on the development of computing industries, telecommunication infrastructures, professional who are educated and skilled and last but not the least information users. The inimical factors important in this digital divide are internet connection referring to wireless, satellite, cable, modem etc. that are very much dependent on regional divisions (the rural-urban divide). Also, the disparities include terrain, demography, population density, market factors etc.

 

• These factors are leading towards information poverty making a clear distinction of two class of people (not strictly determined by Marxian concept economic factor only), that is, information rich and information poor. Thus, Non-Marxist conflict theorists and post-modern theorists are playing an important role here in the way that, with the help of their theoretical explanations we can have a working idea of present social change both in its structure and function.

 

• The concept of interaction is also taking a new shape in the sphere of social distancing. The importance of sociological theories is felt much in this context while popular idea of everyday banal interaction, communication, behaviour etc. are changing and a skilled sociological insight could be able to locate this shift, enhancing the applicability of Foucauldian concept of knowledge and power in this post-modern Thus sociological theories play an important role in understanding society at large.

 

• Democratization of communication through reducing the digital divide accelerates the conditions of right to education, health and religion in this present-days socio-cultural condition where social distancing is a must do. But the lacuna lies in the fact of ‘not to be so digitally democratized’ where a huge population is not connected to the internet. Who can ever think that this so-called non-essential ‘use’ would be ‘so essential’ that it can pose a threat to our fundamental rights!!!…

 

• Data are showing that women and old population are more vulnerable to this threat.

 

• Remote work, telemedicine, broadband mapping are few of those sectors that can be considered in this regard. Again, the point of discussion comes to the root cause of accessibility of digital platforms. And this situation gets worse when we go to villages from mega cities and/ or smart cities.

In this manner the ‘information poor’ or the ‘digital have-nots’ are pushed towards the edge with a constant threat of leaving out of the race! So, it is the time to fathom the intensity of the digital divide and work more on it. We and our children are enjoying meetings and classes via Google Hangout, Zoom etc.. Are we forgetting to think about our counterparts in rural India? Don’t you think there should be a balance in digital (eco)system?

• Thus, theories make implicit contexts explicit. This is just one example. You can find numerous if you study theories.

 

• The knowledge of sociological theories make one-self to have that insight with the help of which the person reflects on apparently common ideas (that are not so common) from different angles and thinks critically. Sociological theory makes us think in this manner. After studying sociological theories you may be drawn to the critical subjects that never attracted your attention. You may start observing things that you never noticed before and/ or neglected as ‘just banal’. Studying sociological theories makes you a different kind of person with different observation power. If you have not yet started thinking, start now. Let us begin our journey of critical thinking. Till then stay safe.