Problem
I. Empirical Research
What do you think the differences might be between decisions made on the basis of empirical research and those made without access to research? How might you decide whether to have knee surgery or physical therapy to recover from knee pain if you did not have access to empirical research; or where to locate a new branch of your ice cream store chain; or whether the state government should provide tuition-free college to students?
II. Sociological Research
Sociologists develop analyses and arguments based on empirical research. How do these analyses and arguments differ from the types that non-sociologists make? For example, how does empirical research as a basis for analysis and argument differ from the use of anecdotes in regular interpersonal conversation? How is it different from the analysis and argument that you hear on the TV news or talk radio? How does the term research as used in sociology differ from the way you might have used it when talking about a paper you wrote for a high school class?