Peer Review

Public Sociology Toolkit

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: May 4, 2019 by Sociology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

The Public Sociology Toolkit is information about the methods and skills we use to study social issues, and work toward social change. Topics include: Case Studies, Community Mapping, Community Organizing, Content Analysis, Dispute Resolution, Ethnography, Experiments, Focus Groups, Grant Writing, Literature Reviews, Needs Assessments, Participatory Action Research, Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, Project Management, Qualitative Interviews, Secondary Data Analysis, Survey Research.

Type of Material:

Reference Material.

Recommended Uses:

This website could be used as a resource for other students or practitioners to learn more about public sociology. Also, instructors could ask students to visit the site to learn about public sociology as part of an assignment (ask students to report on 3-5 things they learned about public sociology from the website). Or, use the listing of tools as a jumping off point for students to learn about one of the tools used by public sociologists.

Technical Requirements:

Varies depending on resources -- applications.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

This is great general resource for sociologists. For example, If I am interested in having students complete a content analysis, it offers suggestions for content analysis software, tips on how to do a content analysis with interesting examples! This a great site to help students investigate how sociologists inform social policy and how they can do public sociology!

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

None.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: This site gives a great overview of Public Sociology and how to conduct research that influences public policy. The examples are excellent in reinforcing the methodologies. It gives additional resources -- professional organizations to help networking and software applications to assist in data collection and analysis. This is truly a toolkit for Public Sociologists!
Concerns:: None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: The website is uncluttered, organized, and well-written. The information is organized into clear categories. The amount and diversity of information on public sociology on this website lends itself for use in several ways by instructors. Often when discussing research methods, we don't encourage students to read articles that use different data collection methods. This site provides interesting examples that will engage students and (hopefully) spark a desire to change the world via public sociology.
Concerns:: None.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The website is easy to navigate, clear, and in working order. Links appear to be working. The site also has a professional development toolkit; however, it is limited to CVs and Resumes.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: I will be returning to use the website to assist my students in developing mini-research projects.
Creative Commons: