Sociological Research (Scientific Methods-15)

Just because a sociologist forms an educated prediction of a study’s outcome doesn’t mean data contradicting the
hypothesis aren’t welcome. Sociologists analyze general patterns in response to a study, but they are equally interested in
exceptions to patterns. In a study of education, a researcher might predict that high school dropouts have a hard time
finding rewarding careers. While it has become at least a cultural assumption that the higher the education, the higher the
salary and degree of career happiness, there are certainly exceptions. People with little education have had stunning
careers, and people with advanced degrees have had trouble finding work. A sociologist prepares a hypothesis knowing
that results will vary.