Social Barometer

A great part of sociological research consists of quantitative experimenting. The system of techniques used for that purpose is that of statistical methods. These methods are necessary to examine the data, analyse them and draw certain conclusions. The results of the sociological survey are published then.

Sociological research is usually conducted by a working group under the supervision of the leading sociologists of the All-Russian Centre for the Study of Public Opinion. The public opinion poll is a criterion of the current social life within the society. It is the so-called social barometer of the country. In fact our fast-moving life makes it necessary to analyse things. So it is useful to examine the results of sociological surveys.

The public opinion poll is carried out nationwide or in some definite regions, cities, establishments. It may be verbal in the form of an interview. But more often the opinion poll is conducted by means of tests or questionnaires. The questionnaires contain some items to be chosen by the subjects. In other cases the questionnaires present a set of questions to be answered by the respondents in their individual way. The polled may express their own opinions verbally or in writing. The assessments may be optimistic, pessimistic, dramatic, positive, negative. They expose and reassess our ideals and values.

The polls are very popular nowadays throughout the country. In general, they are directed to assess current social and political situation, political figures, the most important events, economic perspectives, our losses and gains and so on. All data are given in percentages.

Exercise 7. Choose the right answer.

1. What does a great part of sociological research consist of?

a) qualitative experimenting;

b) quantitative experimenting;

c) quantitative analysis;

d) qualitative analysis.

2. What is the public opinion poll?

a) a criterion of the current social life;

b) a criterion of the natural life;

c) a criterion of the whole social life;

d) a criterion of the micro life.

3. Who conducts sociological research?

a) a working group under the supervision of the leading anthropologists;

b) a working group under the supervision of the leading psychologists;

c) a working group under the supervision of the leading criminologists;

d) a working group under the supervision of the leading sociologists.

4. What do assessments expose?

a) ideals and images;

b) prices and values;

c) ideals and values;

d) poducts and values.

5. How are all data given?

a) in percentages;

b) in numbers;

c) in pictures;

d) in diagrams.

Exercise 8. Fill in the gaps using the words given below, and translate the sentences into Russian.

urge comprehensive patterned attempted field

caused contribute behaviour exchange intangible

1. The speaker tried to … the crowd forward to show their opposition to the new law.

2. Public opinion can … to government decisions.

3. He will get a candy for his good … .

4. What is the present rate of … for dollar?

5. The rose symbolized something … about their relationship.

6. … schools remain the most common type of state secondary school in England, and the only type in Wales.

7. The railway system was … after the successful plan used in other countries.

8. Those who … to flee were captured at the border.

9. She is a leader in the … of cosmetics.

10. The ruin of the empire was … by the loss of freedom and the growth of despotism.

Exercise 9. Match the verbs on the left with the nouns on the right. Make up sentences with the phrases you’ve got.

1. to lead	a) a current situation
2. to be	b) by means of;
3. to differ	c) losses and gains;
4. to carry	d) in a written form;
5. to conduct	e) a set of questions;
6. to present	f) under the supervision;
7. to express	g) out the public opinion poll;
8. to assess	h) from other disciplines;
9. to conduct	i) interested in relations;
10. to expose	j) to the rapid expansion.

WRITING AND COMMUNICATION

Exercise 10. Write an essay on one of the given topics.

1. Sociology as a Science.

2. Sociology and Other Disciplines.

3. Social Barometer.