Methodological considerations in doing public sociology in undergraduate courses

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the processes and challenges of doing public sociology research with undergraduate students. We argue that including students in public sociology research is beneficial to the discipline of public sociology, students’ educational development and to community partners. Through incorporating students into the process of creating knowledge, sociologists can reach multiple publics in ways that are core to the values of public sociology. Students get to know their community differently through this research, they can contribute to scholarship and social change and they are better prepared for careers with experience in applying methodological skills. We provide examples of how we incorporate students into this research in general sociology courses and public sociology capstone experiences. Through these examples, we discuss the processes and challenges, including time constraints, skills and experience, student workload and working with community partners. We highlight two research projects that engage students in community-based research using sociological research methodologies including survey, spatial analysis, interview and existing data analysis. Incorporating students into public sociology research can benefit not only the students but the community they work with and the discipline as well. This chapter fills a gap in published work on community-based public sociology research methods.