METHODS OF ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION: -
A weak analysis will only tell a story or describe the topic.
A good analysis will go beyond a mere description by engaging in several of the types of analysis
listed below, but it will be weak on sociological analysis, the future orientation & the
development of social policy.
An excellent analysis will engage in many of the types of analyses and will demonstrate an
aggressive sociological analysis which develops a clear future orientation and offers social policy
changes to address problems associated with the topic.

Different types of analysis required in a research process are as follows: -

Narrative Analysis: - A Narrative Analysis tells a story using a lot of relevant & descriptive
details; usually organized to tell the story in sequence. The thesis is often implied, but,
preferably, makes some specific, clearly articulated point about the story being told.

Descriptive Analysis: - A Descriptive Analysis offers a detailed description through the use of
objective or subjective language to describe some object (a person, place or thing; it may be a
“social object” such as discrimination), & in the process, give the reader some dominant
impression of the thing being described.

Socio-Historical Analysis: - A Socio-Historical Analysis examines historical events utilizing social

concepts. While a historical analysis is merely a description of people & events from the past, a
socio-historical analysis examines history using social concepts such as the industrial revolution,
urbanization etc., to not only describe history, but also to understand it perhaps in a way that
not even the people living at the time understood it.

Comparative Analysis: - A Comparative Analysis explains how something is like or unlike

something else. The items compared need to have a basis of comparison--that is, they need to
be enough alike to warrant a comparison. The thesis should indicate whether the essay will
focus on similarities or differences. Each subject should be evaluated according to the same
criteria and in the same order.

SWOT Analysis: - A SWOT Analysis addresses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, &
threats to the topic. This comprehensive type of analysis addresses a topic and the aim of
taking action in relation to the topic. If an analysis demonstrates particular strengths &
weakness, then particular opportunities & threats (actions) are implied.
"Cause & Effect" Analysis: - A "Cause & Effect" Analysis demonstrates how the occurrence of
one event correlates with a particular outcome. While there are many types of cause & effect
relationships, for most assignments in the social sciences, the focus should be on social causes
and social effects.

Statistical Analysis: - A Statistical Analysis will generally be used to demonstrate a "cause &
effect" relationship (i.e. a correlation) or a Comparison. Statistical Analysis should always
assume that the reader does not understand statistics. Thus, Statistical Analysis should always
be accompanied by the appropriate type of analysis discussed here-in such as a Comparative
Analysis or a "Cause & Effect" Analysis.

Future orientation analysis: - In the future orientation analysis, the researcher uses any of the
types of analyses discussed here, not only to understand the past & the present, but also to
predict what will occur in the immediate term, the long term and in the distant term. Many of
the types of analyses discussed here lean toward a discussion with a future orientation. One of
the major goals of any science is to predict the future.