Choice of Topic

• What factors influence a sociologist's choice of research topic?

  Practicalities, ethics, theoretical perspective, and personal interest
• What personal experience influenced Durkheim's research topic?

  A close friend's suicide
• How does theoretical perspective influence research topics?

  It guides sociologists to specific issues
• What topics are Marxist sociologists likely to research?

  Social class and capitalism problems
• Why is funding a significant factor in sociological research?

  Organizations expect returns on their investment
• Why might longitudinal studies struggle to gain funding?

  They take long to produce publishable results
• What types of organizations fund sociological research?

  Academic funding organizations and NGOs
• How might an NGO influence research topics?

  By funding topics that align with their interests
• What is a key factor that can lead to a researcher choosing a topic?

  Opportunity arising from circumstances
• What specific research topic did Venkatesh study?

  Gangs in housing projects in Chicago
• Why did Venkatesh study gangs in Chicago?

  Due to their proximity to his university