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In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Social Theory

Introduction.

Reference Works
Histories of Social Thought
Émile Durkheim
Georg Simmel
Ferdinand Tönnies
W. E. B. (William Edward Burghardt) Du Bois
Functionalism and Its Critics
Theories of Action and Interaction
Interpretive and Phenomenological Theories
Psychoanalytic Social Theory
Twentieth-Century Marxism
Structuralism and Post-structuralism
Postmodernism
Theories of Modernity and Modernization, c . 1965 to the Present
Globalization
Standpoint Theories: Feminist and Postcolonial Interventions
Developments since 2000
Developments since 2010

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Social Theory by Austin Harrington LAST REVIEWED: 23 March 2022 LAST MODIFIED: 23 March 2022 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199756384-0054

Social theory refers to ideas, arguments, hypotheses, thought-experiments, and explanatory speculations about how and why human societies—or elements or structures of such societies—come to be formed, change, and develop over time or disappear. Usually supported in research institutions as a core component of the discipline of sociology, social theory most commonly encompasses the range of explanatory concepts, analytical tools, and heuristic devices on which sociologists and social scientists draw in their efforts to interpret statistical or qualitative data about particular empirical social phenomena. Social theory in this relatively narrowly delimited sense is usually thought of as more or less synonymous with the term “sociological theory.” But many common understandings of the scope of the field also imply a wider range of reference than this. Social theory can name general sources of ideas about social phenomena relevant to other disciplines of the social sciences and humanities, such as anthropology, political science, economics, history, cultural and media studies, and gender studies. And social theory can also be thought of as incorporating normative concerns bearing on debates about desirable ends or values of social life—about how social life ideally “ought to be”—in ways that overlap closely with concerns in the fields of moral, political, and legal philosophy. As social theory in most of its central concerns names only a practice of systematic theoretical thinking relevant to particular substantive problems or questions in sociology and other social-science disciplines, some headings in this bibliographical survey of the field will be found to overlap thematically with other Oxford Bibliographies entries in sociology. For more detailed surveys of substantive areas in the Oxford Bibliographies listing with prominent theoretical components see especially: Comparative Historical Sociology, Chicago School of Sociology, World-Systems Analysis, Marxist Sociology, Feminist Theory, Max Weber, Émile Durkheim, Postmodernity, Symbolic Interactionism, and Michel Foucault. The emphasis of the survey that follows falls primarily on currents and schools of thought in Western social theory from the 18th century to the present day. Note, however, that this survey omits commentary of texts currently unavailable in English.

Textbooks in social theory have been available in English for the past four or five decades. Most currently relevant textbooks and general guides to the field, however, date from the 1990s onward. One of the most wide-ranging recent textbooks, written at an elementary level and suitable for newcomers to the field, is Harrington 2005 , covering virtually all sections of the field, with an emphasis on European developments. A more in-depth guidebook, written at a higher level and with a more concentrated focus on particular schools, is Joas and Knöbl 2009 . An influential work specifically on American technical developments in theoretical sociology is Collins 1988 . A classic work, still highly readable and a canonical work in its own right, is Mills 2000 . An accessible and stimulating book, narrower in range but suitable for younger student readership, is Ritzer 1993 .

Collins, Randall. 1988. Theoretical sociology . New York: Harcourt Brace.

One of the best systematic expositions and syntheses of American traditions in social and sociological theory.

Harrington, Austin, ed. 2005. Modern social theory: An introduction . Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.

Covers virtually all fields in elementary and concise form, with a glossary and useful biographical materials.

Joas, Hans, and Wolfgang Knöbl. 2009. Social theory: Twenty introductory lectures . Cambridge, UK: Cambridge Univ. Press.

DOI: 10.1017/CBO9781139878432

A more selective but still highly comprehensive guide, with detailed evaluative assessments of key schools of thought and debates.

Mills, C. Wright. 2000. The sociological imagination . New York: Oxford Univ. Press.

Stimulating classic work by the radical American sociologist, progenitor of the concept of the “military-industrial complex” and the “power elite.” Originally published in 1959.

Ritzer, George. 1993. The McDonaldization of society: The changing character of contemporary social life . Newbury Park, CA: Pine Forge Press.

An engaging, easy read introducing the reader to Marxian and Weberian ideas about capitalism and rationalization, applied to contemporary capitalist mass consumer culture.

Users without a subscription are not able to see the full content on this page. Please subscribe or login .

Oxford Bibliographies Online is available by subscription and perpetual access to institutions. For more information or to contact an Oxford Sales Representative click here .

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2.1C: Formulating the Hypothesis

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A hypothesis is a potential answer to your research question; the research process helps you determine if your hypothesis is true.

Learning Objectives

Explain how hypotheses are used in sociological research and the difference between dependent and independent variables
Hypotheses are testable explanations of a problem, phenomenon, or observation.
Both quantitative and qualitative research involve formulating a hypothesis to address the research problem.
Hypotheses that suggest a causal relationship involve at least one independent variable and at least one dependent variable; in other words, one variable which is presumed to affect the other.
An independent variable is one whose value is manipulated by the researcher or experimenter.
A dependent variable is a variable whose values are presumed to change as a result of changes in the independent variable.
dependent variable : In an equation, the variable whose value depends on one or more variables in the equation.
independent variable : In an equation, any variable whose value is not dependent on any other in the equation.
hypothesis : Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation, or experimentation.

A hypothesis is an assumption or suggested explanation about how two or more variables are related. It is a crucial step in the scientific method and, therefore, a vital aspect of all scientific research. There are no definitive guidelines for the production of new hypotheses. The history of science is filled with stories of scientists claiming a flash of inspiration, or a hunch, which then motivated them to look for evidence to support or refute the idea.

While there is no single way to develop a hypothesis, a useful hypothesis will use deductive reasoning to make predictions that can be experimentally assessed. If results contradict the predictions, then the hypothesis under examination is incorrect or incomplete and must be revised or abandoned. If results confirm the predictions, then the hypothesis might be correct but is still subject to further testing.

Both quantitative and qualitative research involve formulating a hypothesis to address the research problem. A hypothesis will generally provide a causal explanation or propose some association between two variables. Variables are measurable phenomena whose values can change under different conditions. For example, if the hypothesis is a causal explanation, it will involve at least one dependent variable and one independent variable. In research, independent variables are the cause of the change. The dependent variable is the effect, or thing that is changed. In other words, the value of a dependent variable depends on the value of the independent variable. Of course, this assumes that there is an actual relationship between the two variables. If there is no relationship, then the value of the dependent variable does not depend on the value of the independent variable.

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Developing a Research Question

18 Hypotheses

When researchers do not have predictions about what they will find, they conduct research to answer a question or questions, with an open-minded desire to know about a topic, or to help develop hypotheses for later testing. In other situations, the purpose of research is to test a specific hypothesis or hypotheses. A hypothesis is a statement, sometimes but not always causal, describing a researcher’s expectations regarding anticipated finding. Often hypotheses are written to describe the expected relationship between two variables (though this is not a requirement). To develop a hypothesis, one needs to understand the differences between independent and dependent variables and between units of observation and units of analysis. Hypotheses are typically drawn from theories and usually describe how an independent variable is expected to affect some dependent variable or variables. Researchers following a deductive approach to their research will hypothesize about what they expect to find based on the theory or theories that frame their study. If the theory accurately reflects the phenomenon it is designed to explain, then the researcher’s hypotheses about what would be observed in the real world should bear out.

Sometimes researchers will hypothesize that a relationship will take a specific direction. As a result, an increase or decrease in one area might be said to cause an increase or decrease in another. For example, you might choose to study the relationship between age and legalization of marijuana. Perhaps you have done some reading in your spare time, or in another course you have taken. Based on the theories you have read, you hypothesize that “age is negatively related to support for marijuana legalization.” What have you just hypothesized? You have hypothesized that as people get older, the likelihood of their support for marijuana legalization decreases. Thus, as age moves in one direction (up), support for marijuana legalization moves in another direction (down). If writing hypotheses feels tricky, it is sometimes helpful to draw them out. and depict each of the two hypotheses we have just discussed.

Note that you will almost never hear researchers say that they have proven their hypotheses. A statement that bold implies that a relationship has been shown to exist with absolute certainty and that there is no chance that there are conditions under which the hypothesis would not bear out. Instead, researchers tend to say that their hypotheses have been supported (or not) . This more cautious way of discussing findings allows for the possibility that new evidence or new ways of examining a relationship will be discovered. Researchers may also discuss a null hypothesis, one that predicts no relationship between the variables being studied. If a researcher rejects the null hypothesis, he or she is saying that the variables in question are somehow related to one another.

Quantitative and qualitative researchers tend to take different approaches when it comes to hypotheses. In quantitative research, the goal often is to empirically test hypotheses generated from theory. With a qualitative approach, on the other hand, a researcher may begin with some vague expectations about what he or she will find, but the aim is not to test one’s expectations against some empirical observations. Instead, theory development or construction is the goal. Qualitative researchers may develop theories from which hypotheses can be drawn and quantitative researchers may then test those hypotheses. Both types of research are crucial to understanding our social world, and both play an important role in the matter of hypothesis development and testing. In the following section, we will look at qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, as well as mixed methods.

Text Attributions

This chapter has been adapted from Chapter 5.2 in Principles of Sociological Inquiry , which was adapted by the Saylor Academy without attribution to the original authors or publisher, as requested by the licensor. © Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License .

An Introduction to Research Methods in Sociology Copyright © 2019 by Valerie A. Sheppard is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Introduction to Sociology - 3e

(64 reviews)

Tonja R. Conerly, San Jacinto College

Kathleen Holmes, Northern Essex Community College

Asha Lal Tamang, Minneapolis Community and Technical College & North Hennepin Community College

ISBN 13: 9781711493978

Publisher: OpenStax

Language: English

Formats Available

Conditions of use.

Learn more about reviews.

Reviewed by Andreas Savas Kourvetaris, Associate Professor, Northeastern Illinois University on 4/10/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

With the twenty-one chapters organized topically and covering basic sociological concepts and perspectives, the text is lengthy, comprehensive, appropriately layered, and well-referenced. Each chapter provides clear learning objectives, "Sociology in the Real World" sections, key terms, section summaries, section quizzes (and answer keys), short answer questions, recommendations for further research, and references. Important concepts are written in boldface in the text and then listed and defined in the Key Terms section at the end of each chapter.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

The sheer amount of information in the text can be overwhelming, but the content of the text seems accurate and well-referenced. Examples used in the text to illustrate basic sociological concepts are relatable to everyday life, and the authors' claims are backed up with evidence. The content of the text could have benefited from dovetailing more intentionally with the dynamic sub-fields of sociology. In addition, the content of the text could have also benefited from highlighting career opportunities for prospective graduates with sociology degrees.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

Like any publication, "new" information is usually already dated by the time it is published. Nevertheless, the text seems arranged in a way to allow for updates to be implemented relatively easily. The text successfully weaves the relevance of sociological scholarship and practice into contemporary social life by drawing from the discipline's dynamic, storied past; critical analyses of the status quo; and calls to action for social change.

Clarity rating: 5

The prose of the text is clearly written and accessible. Concepts that are in boldface in each chapter are helpful reminders of their importance in the discipline's argot. The Key Terms section at the end of each chapter, which serves as a mini-glossary, lists and clearly defines the important concepts. The numerous figures and tables, and their brief descriptions, throughout the text provide useful visual and contextual information.

Consistency rating: 5

Each chapter is structured in a consistent manner with a chapter title and figure (the figure here usually depicts a pertinent visual related to the chapter title), chapter outline, introduction, learning objectives, and such features as "Sociology in the Real World," "Social Policy and Debate," "Big Picture," Key Terms, Section Summary, Section Quiz, Short Answer, Further Research, References. This structure helps organize effectively the vast amount of information from chapter to chapter, and it provides ample opportunities for students to actively and consistently engage in the material and to self-assess their learning.

Modularity rating: 5

Each chapter of the text is divided into multiple subunits. For example, Chapter 10 on Global Inequality is divided into three subunits: 10.1 Global Stratification and Classification, 10.2 Global Wealth and Poverty, and 10.3 Theoretical Perspectives on Global Stratification. Each subunit also contains its own learning objectives. The modularity of the text allows each subunit to be readily reorganized to suit an instructor's educative needs. Each subunit could also be used independently from each other without much loss in comprehension.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text consists of twenty-one chapters that are organized topically. Chapter topics are presented in a clear, logical manner. Earlier chapters, such as Chapters 1-7 & 9, seem to lay the basic conceptual foundation of the discipline, while subsequent chapters build upon that foundation. Combined, the organization of the text seems to reflect the discipline's broad scope.

Interface rating: 5

From what I could tell, the text is free of interface issues. Navigating through the text is easy, and the images and other display features do not seem to be distracting or confusing.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text seems grammatically correct. The text would have benefited from discussion on the American Sociological Association (ASA) citation style, particularly in Chapter 2 on Sociological Research.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The text does not seem culturally insensitive or offensive. To further cultural sensitivity, the text would have benefited from discussion on intersectionality, given its significant scholarship and analytical framework toward understanding the relationships between individuals, cultural groups, power, and society.

Reviewed by Boniface Noyongoyo, Assistant Professor, Marshall University on 2/4/24

The chapters in this book are short and sweet. I should have said concise because there is no room for useless terms and word to understand sociology. read more

The chapters in this book are short and sweet. I should have said concise because there is no room for useless terms and word to understand sociology.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The authors used historical facts to make sure that the information provided in the book is correct. I like that they used other evidence to talk about for instance why DuBois is influential in the American Sociology as a historian. The laboratory in Atlanta shows how his influence as a researcher impacts the discipline. I think the content is not only error free but historically checked for accuracy. It is good to know that what we are providing to students is not only accurate but also real example.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

I like the authors have a section Sociology in the Real World to show that the discipline is not about he past but that things happening today are connected to past ones and that life is a flow between past and a continuity in the future.

Language is clear and simple. Sentences are straightforward and say what they meant. Reading is easy.

All the connections are clear as the parts of the chapters connect.

Modularity rating: 4

Going from one chapter to the next is clear and follows past patterns. I personally do not like that some parts are not connected. Family is part of family structure but it is also part of socialization. There is no one coming from a society without its influence.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

The book's organization follows traditional organizations of all sociology books. It seems good but I think there should be a different way of talking about structures and socialization

Interface rating: 4

Pictures are clean and moving through chapters is not complicated.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I have not noticed anything wrong in terms of grammar.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

It is very American relevant. I do not think the book goes beyond what is happening in the Continental US.

I do not have anything about the book other than the fact that all the comments are the book I would like to see written.

Reviewed by LiYing Li, Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/30/23

The book is quite comprehensive. It covers all the essential topics in an introductory sociology textbook. read more

The book is quite comprehensive. It covers all the essential topics in an introductory sociology textbook.

The textbook was accurate at the time of writing. Since the book was published in 2017 (the 2nd edition), some info and facts are out of date. Therefore, it does affect its accuracy.

Same as above, the content of this textbook was quite relevant, but given it was published at least five or six years ago, it does lose some relevance...

The textbook was well-written and easy to read.

The content of the textbook was consistent within or between chapters. The book was well-organized and structured.

Modularity rating: 3

Not sure about the modularity. The subject matter is sociology (which is about people in social groups and how they intersect with each other), when society changes, people and social groups change accordingly. For the last three years, the world has witnessed enormous changes due to COVID-19. Our post-COVID life would probably never be the same. Therefore, some chapters need some major updates, others need only minor changes. Therefore, tremendous social changes may impact its modularity.

Very well-organized and structured. And the order of topics is well done.

There were major interface issues.

It is largely free of any grammatical errors.

The book pays a lot of attention to any culturally sensitive issues or subjects. I appreciated the fact how it handled some difficult contemporary topics.

I reviewed the 2nd ed of this textbook. It is funny that the 2nd ed was published at a later date, 2017, instead of 2015.

Reviewed by Greg Cady, College Instructor, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical on 12/28/22

Consistent with other introduction level textbooks. read more

Consistent with other introduction level textbooks.

Appears to be valid content and written in an objective manner.

I like how recent the online version has been updated.

Great resources at the end of each chapter!

Nice flow and chapter sequence.

Chapters are a manageable read for weekly assignments.

Good flow. I would tailor the chapters to reflect a 16 week typical college semester which would mean multiple chapters on some college weeks which could confuse students

Written for entry level college student.

Well written!

I like how grey highlighted areas provide an overview, a different perspective.

I'm impresses with this textbook - I suspect I will adopt for Fall 2023.

Reviewed by Shirlene S., Associate Teaching Professor, Wichita State University on 10/7/21

The text will give Sociology students a comprehensive look into today's society and a good understanding of the various Sociological theories that make up how we view society. In addition, the text will also give readers a different outlook on... read more

The textbook does a very nice job of being unbiased. Especially, how the authors discuss and present the topics of health, race, and religion. The authors give the students a broad range of the topics and issues associated with and about sociology and the science of sociology.

The textbook uses various examples, which are interesting, pique curiosity, and can be easily recognizable for some students as well as can be used for a significant time frame for additional editions of the text. I do have issues with some of the text citations being slightly older than some of the examples that are used throughout the book.

The textbook provides students with a broad range of each of the topics and issues associated with and about sociology and the science of sociology. Each of the chapters provides a genuine introduction to each of the topics so that students can easily grasp the terminology, concepts, and theoretical perspectives, that can inspire and challenge a student’s thinking and ideas of society. However, there are areas for improvements including providing more updated citations that also correlate with the examples used as well as provide wider and diverse examples.

Consistency rating: 4

Each of the textbook chapters provides a good level of consistency by using various core sociological theories that tie into the chapter concepts. Although, I believe that this will help students easily navigate the content and facilitate both their critical thinking analytical skills. It would be nice if the text provided a deeper look into other sociological theories and how they may explain various sociological concepts.

The chapters are reasonable in length (18-22 pages) with each chapter providing a genuine introduction to each of the sociological topics that make it easy for students to understand the terminology, grasp the concepts, as well as challenge a student’s critical thinking of society's ideas, beliefs, values, and norms.

Similar to the modularity feedback. The overall organization of the textbook and each chapter are nicely organized and make sense to the student as well as easily navigated.

The text provides relevant images and charts that directly tie into the chapter topics and examples. The images and/or charts are also easily navigated with the use of citations that can provide the reader with further perspectives and information on each of the chapter topics.

The text does not present any grammatical, spelling, and/or punctuation errors. The book looks as it has been thoroughly reviewed for any errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

The images and case studies that are provided in the text are specifically focused on white middle and upper-middle-class individuals and their stories/examples along with white middle-class individuals being overwhelmingly represented in the images. There definitely needs to be an effort in subsequent editions to improve the diversity represented in images including racial and ethnic representation. The issues and difficulties associated with intersectionality, multiculturalism, and globalization examples that are used throughout the book also need to be addressed.

Being new to Open Educational Resources (OER), I must admit I was skeptical of the quality of knowledge this textbook could or would provide to students. I am very happy to say that not only is the text amazing, but it will give Sociology students a comprehensive look into today's society and a good understanding of the various Sociological theories that make up how we view society. In addition, the text will also give readers a different outlook on life and how it shapes our perspectives beliefs and values including the impact of the sociological imagination. Additionally, if this text is the book being used by Sociology classes, it will give students a broad range of the topics and issues associated with and about sociology and the science of sociology. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the chapters are reasonable in length (18-22 pages) and each chapter provides a genuine introduction to each of the topics so that students can easily grasp the concepts, inspiring and challenging a student’s thinking and ideas of society!

Reviewed by Jodie Simon, Associate Teaching Professor, Wichita State University on 6/2/21

This textbook provides a good basic comprehensive overview of the key areas of sociological study and does so in concise and yet engaging language. read more

This textbook provides a good basic comprehensive overview of the key areas of sociological study and does so in concise and yet engaging language.

Typical of any Intro to Sociology textbook the content is constantly in need of update as we find advancements in our own sociological studies. One small issue was the references to official religions via countries. This can be updated easily.

Organization is pretty standard as it introduces the topics in the fairly standard format of most Introductory Sociology textbooks. I was pleased by the separate chapter devoted to Media & Technology as many textbooks have tried to simply lump this in and integrate it without giving full measure to this major sociological institution.

I found the wording to be easy to follow and not jargon heavy. I prefer intro textbooks that are engaging and not intimidating and yet still manage to impart the importance of sociological vocabulary. I felt that this textbook was able to do to this rather well.

I found no glaring oversights.

The chapters were pleasingly short and yet still managed to convey the major material. I am using it in conjunction with another textbook to give students the option to purchase or not and I have discovered that I was able to pair chapters together without too much difficulty.

Organization makes sense, moving through introduction into perspectives of socialization and into inequalities and then into institutions. This is a very familiar format to many other courses. I typically cover media alongside culture and as such did find that a little out of the norm in terms of placement for me.

I found the interface to be very basic and simple.

I found no grammatical errors.

Check the Religion section a little closely as I did find some erroneous information there; however, I did not see issues with the major controversial sections: systems of inequality. I would remove references to "boys and girls" however.

I am using it this semester for the first time and will update my review once I've seen it in action.

Reviewed by Alex Olsen, Assistant Professor, Umpqua Community College on 5/21/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The textbook does a great job of covering a wide range of sociological topics. One of my biggest critiques of this textbook is that it doesn't go in depth enough on topics such as race, gender, and class. I've found that I frequently have to supplement the content in this book with more contemporary examples and aspects of these topics that the book doesn't cover. It provides really great introductions and basic examples, but I find that this textbook is best used in conjunction with supplemental videos, readings, and content presented in my slides. I also think that the international content/international comparisons are lacking. It could also do a better job of discussing more contemporary theories such as feminist theory, critical race theory, immigration theories, etc.

Generally, I've found the content to be very accurate. Any inaccuracies are mainly related to the use of old data (2010 data), which may not reflect trends within the past 10 years. It also is not always up to date re: legal changes. Otherwise, the textbook does a good job presenting sociological concepts in a clear, accurate manner.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

Much of the data in the book is out of date, especially since much of it is based on the 2010 census. That being said, I think it would be very easy to update this data once it is available. I think that one of the biggest issues with an open-source textbook is that it doesn't always have the latest data. As such, I find myself as an instructor going to get the most recent data to supplement what is available in the textbook. It also doesn't account for legal changes that have happened re: gay marriage, legalization of marijuana etc. Some sections would need to be substantially added to to reflect these dynamics

The textbook uses very simple language when breaking down even more advanced sociological concepts. This is a great textbook to use at the community college level as it is very accessible, even to students who may normally struggle with reading comprehension or advanced vocabulary. They frequently define terms that students may not know and provide great examples to promote deeper understanding of more complex concepts.

I really appreciate that this book consistently presents the functionalist, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionist perspective for each of the topics covered. I think that this is a nice way to ensure that students have a deeper understanding of social theory, while also encouraging students to think about social issues in a variety of ways. Terminology used is also consistent and the textbook does a good job of defining unfamiliar terms.

The modularity of this textbook is one of its biggest benefits. I appreciate that the chapters are short, to the point, and broken up into clear subsections for the students to better understand the issues. I have found that because the textbook is more brief, more students are willing to do the reading. I also like that understanding one chapter is not dependent on another, which gives the instructor a lot of freedom about the order in which they'd like to present different topics.

This textbook is highly organized and easy to follow. It's organized similarly to many other introduction to sociology textbooks.

I have not encountered any issues with the interface.

There are no grammatical errors that I have been able to find in the textbook.

Similar to my critiques on the comprehensiveness, I think that this book could do more to consistently hit on inequalities by gender, race, sexual orientation, class, etc. in the more topical chapters i.e. health, media, education, government. While there is not any insensitive or offensive material, I think that they could do a better job of covering these topics more in depth.

I think this is a textbook that's a great basis for an Intro to Sociology course or Institutions and Social change. It does a good job presenting the basics, but I do think that it requires instructors to do additional work to add in contemporary examples, address issues that the textbook does not bring up, and give students a better sense of debates amongst sociologists (and society more broadly) about different social issues.

Reviewed by Nicole Jenkins, Adjunct Professor, Howard University on 1/19/21

The text is comprehensive overall in its organization as well as the content within each chapter. Students are given a Section Summary that enhances the comprehensiveness of the material covered in each section. The quizzes available at the end of each chapter additionally lend support to an overall comprehensive experience. The text introduces a complete experience of various sociological concepts and discusses them in an appropriate and effective way. The Key Terms feature at the end of each chapter is a great tool as well.

I am confident in the accuracy of the text and its chapters. Each chapter discusses a specific sociological phenomenon coupled with examples that support it and reiterate understanding. The text references real-world examples from various issues within society, resulting in concrete and accurate events that situate learners in an advantageous position to use their sociological imagination.

This text has selected relevant sociological concepts to introduce. I would like to see a section on the sociology of work or labor as well as an update in the Health and Medicine chapter that includes context concerning COVID-19. I understand that this takes time, but it is necessary and would be extremely beneficial to students and instructors to include the topic within the framework of a current pandemic. The language/ concept of a pandemic is not even introduced in the chapter and I have seen it explained in other introduction to sociology text pre-pandemic.

The text is written clearly and provides sufficient explanations for any jargon and sociological terminology introduced. Each chapter begins with explaining the major theme in detail, by defining terms and providing concrete and relevant examples to reiterate the meanings. Headings in each chapter enhance the clarity of the text and individual chapter content.

The text is consistent in its organization, terminology, and overall conceptualization. The organization of the text remains consistent throughout each chapter and subsection, making the text easy to navigate. The terminology is consistent throughout the text as well. The text is consistent in its conceptualization of social problems and issues within society throughout.

The subsections within each major chapter make the text easily divided into smaller sections of reading if necessary. Subsections are a sufficient length as to complete the topic being introduced and explained but not overwhelm with lengthy text. These short and concise sections are ideal for all learning styles and would be appreciated by students.

The organization of the text is perhaps one of my favorite features. The consistency throughout makes the text easy to navigate and provides an overall comprehensive experience. While the order of the topics is not so important, I found that the organization within each chapter creates a comprehensive flow that first introduces terminology and then provides concrete examples. This is an effective way to organize these concepts and will be advantageous to students as they read.

I was able to navigate the text easily and did not experience any interface issues, navigation problems, or display issues.

I did not note any grammatical errors within the text.

The text is culturally appropriate. I did not note any insensitive or offensive materials within this text. Examples were relevant and timely. I appreciate the emphasis on social justice and the deliberate inclusion of recent events used as examples throughout the text. Well done!

I look forward to updates on some of the most monumental events that have just recently occurred, such as the assault on the capital, and the context that includes the pandemic. I look forward to using this accessible and comprehensive text. I am a fan for sure!

Reviewed by Ting Jiang, Professor of Sociology, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 9/5/20

It covers all the topics in the mainstream leading intro textbooks. read more

It covers all the topics in the mainstream leading intro textbooks.

Overall, the definitions for concepts and theories are in consensus with leading intro textbooks.

The textbook remains current with the events and examples provided. The text is written in the way that future updates will be relatively easy and straightforward to implement.

Clarity rating: 4

The textbooks could elaborate on certain sections, for example, theoretical applications.

The text strives to be internally consistent in terms of terminology and framework.

Chapters and contents could easily be grouped into several thematic modules to work with either a semester or a quarter system.

Organization of the topics conforms to what's expected in the mainstream intro textbooks.

Charts and images are properly cited and provided with captions.

The text strives to be error free with grammar.

Overall the book remains objective with the examples provided to demonstrate concepts and theories.

Reviewed by Jerrod Yarosh, Assistant Professor, USC-Lancaster on 8/13/20

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

The text provides a substantial number of chapters covering a wide range of content. This provides a text that could be used by a wide range of educators given its scope. A caveat is that the chapters tend to be shorter and less detailed than texts with fewer chapters/topics, which would most likely need to be addressed with additional material from the educator. This text can provide a foundation and allow the educator to provide more detail and specifics as needed/necessary to flesh out ideas, concepts, and other aspects of the discipline that are absent or given less focus.

Overall the content seems accurate, the definitions of key terms could be expanded and provide a more complete understanding of the term(s). However, they do offer a very concise understanding and is a good first step to allow the instructor to then provide more specifics.

Examples and content are relevant and provide relatable information. Given the digital nature of the text it should be easy to update if needed.

The chapters are concise and have clear headings when moving to a new topic or section within the chapter. One improvement is when starting a new section within a chapter there is no heading on the content page itself and only at the top which could be easily overlooked given it is set off from where one is focusing. There are other times where sections are missing headings or some clarifying designation. For example Chapter 2 Section 2.2 starts out with just a paragraph of text and if one was clicking through from the previous section it appears to be part of the 'Interpretive Framework' however that is not the case. Could lead to confusion and misunderstandings.

Yes the text seems to be internally consistent with terminology from my brief review.

This I feel this is not a strength of this text. While the chapters are short and broken into sections. The content within each chapter is only designated by headings as a way to break it into small segments. The inclusion of additional numbering/designations in the chapter's particular sections would allow easier location of material and clarity if used in a modular fashion. Currently one would need to scroll through each chapter section to find the desired content.

The structure of the text follows the traditional format of starting with a general overview and history of the discipline then moving onto research methods and finally to more specific topical areas of interest. This is the standard and will not shock nor awe anyone.

The text adapted to all screen formats quickly and did not result in missing any content or difficulty in navigation.

As with any textbook there are bound to be some issues, but none were found from my brief review.

It provides a wide array of examples from different cultural perspectives.

Reviewed by Christine Witkowski, Instructor, Midlands Technical College on 8/6/20

In general, this textbook is rather brief in terms of the comprehensiveness of its coverage as compared to other introductory level sociology textbooks. The lack of a definition for social structure is disappointing. The explanation of culture and social institutions was also insufficient. Given the import of the terms culture, social structures, and social institutions in an introductory sociology class, these deficiencies give me pause in considering this textbook. The application of the three major theoretical perspectives to the various aspects of the social world was rather brief; it would be insufficient, in my estimation, to help students gain confidence in understanding and applying the theoretical perspectives. The lack of data in the chapters on social stratification didn’t lend itself to a very complex understanding of stratification.

I found the information in the textbook to be accurate although the explanations were frequently too brief for students to develop a thorough understanding of the concepts and theories.

I found the content to be reasonably up-to-date and written in such a way that it will not become quickly obsolete. It is written and arranged in such a way that updates should be relatively easy and straightforward to implement.

Clarity rating: 3

The text is clear and concise, perhaps too concise for my liking. I found the explanations inadequate for delivering a complete understanding of concepts, theories, and an introductory-level sociological understanding of the world.

The textbook has a consistent voice and message.

This textbook is divided into modules which can be rearranged, allowing flexibility for the particular instructor/class. Reading sections are brief and certainly accessible to any college-level audience.

The organization of this textbook is fairly typical for an introductory textbook. Using the standard introductory sociology textbook as a basis of comparison, this textbook has a clear and sensible organization. I prefer a slightly different organizational structure to the typical organization of an introductory textbook, but given the modularity of this textbook, reorganization of the material would be straightforward.

Interface with this textbook is simple and straightforward.

The textbook is grammatically correct and easy to read.

The textbook is culturally sensitive for a diverse audience.

Reviewed by Kim Smith, Sociology Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/25/20

I am very impressed with the overall summary of the core history, theories, methods, and concepts of Sociology. The table of contents, index, and glossary offer clear topics and concepts for students to read and review. While the focused overview of the key lessons in each chapter do tend to capture our main learning objectives, there are some significant gaps. For example, the socialization theories cover only half of the theories that I use in class and the life course section is surprisingly brief, so I will have to supplement those. Each chapter is much more brief than a standard textbook, but I bet that current students will prefer reading these shorter summaries. Here are some general and specific recommendations: 1) I do wish that there were more examples of current trends and that there were more multi-cultural examples. 2) Please review your photos and examples, in light of the huge focus and critique of white supremacy right now, in addition to class stratification. 3) Also, the references in the Media and Technology chapter are from 2005. Definitely update those! 4) In the Stratification chapter, there is an odd disconnect between the Aaron Spelling mansion photo and the reference to "Eric". Who is Eric? Offer more of an introduction to the broader concept and case studies. Also, add in examples of "status inconsistency". 5) Global stratification theories are ridiculously scarce. Unpack the details of Dependency Theory (Colonialism and Neo-Colonialism) and add in World Systems Theory. 6) The Intergroup Relations section in the Race and Ethnicity chapter are out of order. 7) The statistics in the Race and Ethnicity in the US section are at least a decade old. As an on-line book, these should be easy to update. 8) Table 12.1, in the Sex and Sexuality section, has data from 1989!! Please update all of the statistics in this book - at least into the 21st Century. While later chapters on Institutions are brief, they tend to cover the main concepts and theories and I will be able to supplement the content with other materials.

Accurate enough, except many of the sections have outdated statistics, charts, and graphs. Please take some time and get those updated so students and instructors will respect the authenticity of the data.

In general, yes. There are a variety of meaningful and relevant case studies, although they trend toward images of white privilege. Please, just use one photo of the British royal family in this whole book. Life is changing quickly, so I acknowledge that it is challenging to keep books current, but it should at least be easier to update on-line books with cutting-edge examples. I always expect Sociology textbooks to be rather outdated and do my best to supplement with current stories and data, but the "Readers' Digest" style of this book requires a higher standard of currency and relevancy to be taken seriously.

Yes, most of the content is quite clear and succinct. Alas, to a detriment. Some sections are so brief that content that is left out feels palpable.

I appreciate the consistency in the use of the different core sociological theories. I think that this will help students navigate through the content and facilitate their analytical skills.

Each chapter is nicely organized by content and sub-headings. It will be easy to reference different sections in lecture notes.

Similar feedback to the modularity question. It is nicely organized and makes sense to the reader - including the instructor.

I hadn't even considered this. Everything appears to flow smoothly, without any distortions in photos or charts. The clarity of the images are also high, without any pixelation.

I did not notice any grammatical nor punctuation errors. I tend to pay close attention to this type of issue, so it is encouraging that nothing stood out.

The images and case studies lean heavily toward white middle and upper-middle class stories. Definitely work on deepening the complexities, intersectionality, multiculturalism, and globalization of examples throughout the book.

This is the first time that I have deeply delved into an OER book. Many of my colleagues use Openstax books. Some highly recommend them and others have chosen to stop using them. There is an important place in academia for these broad on-line overviews of disciplines, especially with students struggling with the high cost of textbooks, so I am glad that so many authors and publishers are trying to make them available. I will give this book a chance in the fall and see how students respond to it.

Reviewed by Fahri Ercem, Adjunct Professor, Bunker Hill Community College on 6/24/20

This textbook is comprehensive in that it provides a plethora of chapters relating to sociology, which leaves the reader with a comprehensive and encompassing introduction to sociology through an evaluation of the many subject areas within the... read more

The content within this textbook is accurate with a detailed emphasis on objectivity and supported evidence even on subjects that generally fall privy to bias such as religion.

As with any sociology textbook new research and phenomena is being researched and updated constantly, for example now in light of COVID 19 the areas in the textbook that discuss pandemic, epidemics, health can be updated. Furthermore, in light of the recent Black Lives Matter protests and renewed movements for police abolition Chapter 7 could also be updated to include these recent trends. Lastly, the use of the word transsexual is no longer relevant in my opinion.

Very palatable to an intro to sociology student, definitions of any concepts or terms are easily made available throughout the book. This book also seems to allow for more in depth lecture material to further engage and teach students.

Each chapter is formatted similarly, and the tone and scope of each chapter is consistent throughout. Furthermore, the visual aids, special sections, summaries, and quizzes are all aspects of this book that help keep it consistent throughout.

I believe that the modularity of this textbook is one of the best things that allows it to be used for an introduction to sociology course, because the professor can easily hand pick and assign certain chapters of this book and leave out others yet students will likely still feel that they are receiving a comprehensive learning experience without “missing” certain parts of the book. Furthermore, this book can be realistically taught in any order that professors deem more appropriate for their class and does not need to be read from front to back.

Organization within each chapter is presented in a logical and clear fashion, and I actually like that theory is introduced first within many chapters because certain professors want their students to first have a basic understanding of the underlying theory within each subject and to then move on to statistics, facts, examples, etc.

I did not have any issues navigating the interface of this online textbook, however I suggest downloading it into PDF format instead of using the online version as I found the PDF better quality. However, I wish there were more comprehensive PowerPoint presentations included, as well as an addition of true/false questions.

I did not see any major grammatical errors.

One complaint I do have is in the “creating the discipline” section much value is given to the white “founding fathers” of sociology who should definitely be credited for being pioneers of the discipline however I think it would be interesting to include all the men and women of color who have carried sociology into the discipline that it is today. Furthermore, in sections such as “crime and social class” there is an emphasis on the unequal application of the law that exists between social classes, but writing in a post-George Floyd world I think it would implore sociology texts to discuss race and the role of race when it comes to the application of law and order. Lastly the use of the word “transsexual” in chapter 12 should be removed.

It is nice to provide a text-book to my students which is available in various formats!

Reviewed by Nicole Lambert, Assistant Professor, Massachusetts Bay Community College on 6/23/20

This is a comprehensive textbook in terms of key concepts and terms that would be covered in an introductory course. read more

This is a comprehensive textbook in terms of key concepts and terms that would be covered in an introductory course.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

Overall, the book is accurate; however, it leans a bit too heavily toward certain theoretical perspectives (even though it summarizes each of the three key perspectives in each chapter). In chapter 10, the differences between world systems and dependency theory, in particular, are quite muddled. As with all textbooks, a new edition with updated statistics and current events would be great!

Although some of the specific examples may be several years old now, the themes and content that is covered continues to be relevant.

This text is quite clear. In fact, I would argue that in some ways, the writing might be a little too simplistic for a college-level text.

The text is quite consistent.

Text is appropriately divided into sections, with images, graphs, and sidebars throughout.

The organization is consistent with other introductory texts.

I have used this text in an online sociology course and have received no complaints from students regarding this item.

I have not noticed any (although, I did not thoroughly read for edits).

Overall, a good variety of examples.

I have used this book for an online Introduction to Sociology course. Overall, it is sufficient for an intro course, although it is a bit basic and may require some supplementation or additional information from faculty.

Reviewed by Amanda Miller, Associate Professor, University of Indianapolis on 5/19/20

On the whole, the book is quite comprehensive in its use of sociological terminology. There are a few more current topics, however, which would need supplementing (e.g. gay marriage, Black Lives Matter.) read more

The book does a very nice job of being unbiased. In particular, I really like how the authors treated the topic of religion, which is always a tricky one for some students. Being able to share that religion is not just a belief system but instead a social structure which can be analyzed from a sociological perspective.

Examples are interesting and ones that should be recognizable for quite some time. I do find it interesting that some of the citations are far older than the examples sprinkled throughout. I suspect those will age more quickly (or already have) than the cultural references.

One clear area for improvement for the book is in the inclusion of lots of examples to help make complex concepts come to life for students. For example, this book, like nearly all other SOC 101 books, covers the three major sociological theories. However, while the history of each theory and their criticisms are covered in great depth, there aren't clear examples provided right away for students to see how the theories actually apply to the social world. There are a few more in-depth applications of the theory in other chapters, but this isn't consistent throughout.

I wish the major theories continued throughout all of the chapters. Students rely heavily on repetition to understand them in my experience. But, the rest of the text is clear and consistent.

It's very nice how the book is subdivided into sections and even includes different background colors from some text boxes. It would be very simple to reorder or reorganize the way that students work through the book because the segments are a good length and chapters (minus the first one, of course) do not overly reference prior material. Since I typically tear apart a text and reorder it based on a particular theme for the course, this is very beneficial. I appreciate that there are more modules than many instructors may have a chance to get to because that does not force hard choices. For example, the book contains modules on aging, demography, global inequality, media, and work. I find that most texts only include two of those at most.

The flow of each chapter within the text is clear and easy to work through. I personally would reorder the chapters (perspective/theory/methods, social inequality, social institutions, social change) but it's quite easy to do that with the way the book is laid out.

The interface is clean and easy to use. There were no problems with navigation or confusing displays. If I had one suggestion, it would be that I wish photo captions were larger. Those can be a little hard to read.

Spelling, grammar, and jargon were all correct. The level of writing was appropriate for introductory students.

The text does a good job of including numerous examples from various groups throughout. In particular, I appreciate how many global examples are provided both in the text and in the images. That's something many introductory students don't get enough information about and should be embedded throughout the curriculum.

While I appreciate the inclusion of student tools, such as key terms and quizzes, virtually all quiz questions are at the level of "recall" and wouldn't actually be good exam preparation for my students. I wish more questions were included at the "application" or "analysis" level.

Reviewed by Christina Adkins, Graduate Assistant/ Teaching Assistant, Marshall University on 3/20/20

This text covers everything and more in an introductory sociology class. It covers material that is not always introduced due to not enough time in a semester. The only downfall may be that not all the information would be able to be thoroughly covered due to this. However, with the comprehensiveness comes a chance for people that might not have thought sociology was a subject of interest, to realize the variety the subject offers, possibly leading more students to major in this area. It has a slew of interesting, and appropriate examples. Ones I found kept my interest included "Parrotheads", The story of Megan Meier, and "hepcats". The very nice thing about OER resources is that there is a way to highlight, just like in a hardback. There is also a way if I chose to do so, for me to change out chapters with another book if I thought one was more appropriate than the other. Options are available with these teaching resources which I like. This was also very easy to use, and written clearly. I also liked that at each end of the chapter were just not multiple choice, but also short answer. Beyond that, there were even links at the end to click on if you wanted to learn more about a topic. In a hardback, even if that is given, it is unlikely one will look it up unless they need to. Here, you just click on a link and I think that will be far more used due to the immediacy, and the easy access it promotes.

Content all seemed accurate and relevant. With information, examples were pertinent to points and kept my interest while I was reading. With our society continually changing, the OER resources allows us to be able to keep literature up to date. Also, I saw very few grammatical errors. Information also came across as unbiased.

Once again, the one thing with OER is that information can be kept up to date, if a professor chooses they need to update an area. That is always a plus, especially since the professor can even choose what examples they wanted added and where. If they do not feel like a chapter examples is relevant, they can choose to replace or add a chapter. However, the examples given in this book we all pretty much up to date. They were interesting and went along to enforce the previous information. The text is arranged in an easy way to navigate whatever section you may be looking for.

The text is written in a very clear way. The information is adequate and easy interpreted. It is also supported by many examples, placing a meaning to the term. The terminology also is accurate, and laid out in a way that one term adds on to another, making it easily connected.

The book is consistent through its chapters. No chapters are excessive long or short. Each chapter holds an amount of three to five subsections in each chapter. They are consistently distributed. Also, each chapter has a multiple choice, a short answer, and an extended reference section that are all very nice to help the student understand the information, and emphasize and apply information given.

Each chapter holds three to five subsections. Each section under the chapter is titled due to what is specifically talked about, along with the multiple choice, the short answer and the reference section. Each chapter has a different expertise, and information in each chapter is pertinent to the chapter. It would be very easy to assign reading material for any section of any chapter, because the layout makes it very clear what you are clicking on. Each section is cut off appropriately, making an easy transition into the next chapter.

The text was presented in a clear cut way. Each chapter is lined out in a clear fashion, making it very easy to navigate. I had no problems going through each chapter, or looking ahead if I chose. The organization of the outline is very clear and takes you exactly where it says it is taking you.

I had no navigation problems, in fact it was very easily navigated. All pictures and charts were clear and pertinent to the information at hand. The images, and charts specifically, allowed application to the information allowing students to see first and application of information. There was no confusing examples to me. Once again, with OER resources, if I felt that an example needed to be changed, or a chapter for that matter, depending on the license of that book, I would have options to do so. Where each teacher has a different style, and way to teach, if the overall book is acceptable for them, they always have options to change what personally they feel needs needed. I think that is wonderful for personalized teaching techniques.

I did not see many grammatical errors. Once again with OER resources, there was a place to submit any grammatical issues with the book. The book can forever be changed to remain relevant in examples and pertinent to the time we live in.

I saw examples of all ethnicity and backgrounds. Some may have seemed somewhat redundant, but none were offensive or insensitive in any way.

I personally like a text book I can hold and read in my hands. I also like to highlight and write in them. I tend to lose focus when on the computer for long periods when having to read a long drawn out article. However, this OER kept my attention, allowed me to highlight and mark places I felt needed, and was easily navigated. I had never considered this as an option before, but may now.

Reviewed by Boniface Noyongoyo, Assistant Professor, Marshall University on 3/11/20

The book covers all the main topics that are needed for introduction to Sociology. It even goes beyond the "usual" material and presents some points that are internationally relevant because of globalization. From culture to political changes, the book present real examples through the boxes of applicability of the themes. The books also allows to review the chapter by providing not only the main points but also the definitions of the those points in a way that the learner does not have to go through the book to find answers. Convenient in the age of instant gratification!

Some things, such as definitions and concepts and research methods, do not change but the manner they are presented makes the difference. The book kept the tradition of being accurate about everything for it is for the sake of the discipline.

The book covers topic such as food security as well as network connections. It also brings forth cases that prove a point such as public sociology. Pictures are current and students could have seen them which could increase connectivity with the material at hand.

Easy to read! Short sentences and no jargon unless unavoidable like with definitions and concepts

I like that the book uses same font and color to present identical material at the end of each chapter. Example is the revision and definitions at the end of the chapter.

Some chapters such religion, education, and politics could be rearranged to form one big chapter. The ordering of the parts in chapters is possible for whoever had some chapters organized and would like the book to match prepared lessons.

I like how the topic covered in boxes or bold are current. Presentation is helpful to understand which topic is connected to which.

Interface is colorful and attention is drawn to points that deserve attention. The same colors have been used for the same purpose. "Making Connections" has been green throughout the book for instance or blue for multiple choice questions at the end of each chapter. That consistency is good and useful.

"Errare humanum est" is a say that is also true for this book. Nothing is perfect. Errors in the book are really minimal and cannot distract the reader. No two people write alike either: what someone might find grammatically wrong here could be nuances that are based on personal preferences on how to use some styles.

The book is for American audience and has nothing that would be offensive in my opinion. Examples that go beyond the American average perception are safe and present facts in a culturally sensitive manner. Examples are indeed inclusive of all backgrounds.

The book is really up to date with what a student in an introductory could should know and it is written in a style that catches attention. The book present main topics that are relevant to the current world with real examples and pictures that are reliable and on point. Highly recommend the book to anyone who would like to engage students in a traditional way with non-traditional fashion. I am adopting the book!!!

Reviewed by Mychel Estevez, Senior Instructor, Portland State University on 3/7/20

The book covers more subject areas than the typical introduction textbook (for example, there are more chapters dedicated to different institutions than usual). It also includes some topics that are often not included such as sexuality. There is an index with links back to the specific sections of the chapters and each chapter includes a glossary. The main downside that I see is that some of the topics covered are done so somewhat superficially.

There is no such thing as a completely unbiases textbook. One thing I appreciated about this textbook is that it didn't really candy-coat the problems in the U.S. and it explicitly showed some of the areas where the U.S. is deficient in comparison to other comparable countries. Other textbooks often give too much credence to the "American Dream" even when the evidence suggests otherwise; I didn't see that bias here. Other areas where this book is more accurate than the textbook I've been using is that it doesn't fall into what I call the "but Native American's have casinos" trap when discussing Native Americans or the "but the things are so much better for women now" trap when talking about gender and families. I did have a problem with Ch. 10. First, the title: why inequality instead of inequities or stratification? (Ch. 9 on U.S. Stratification was explicit about stratification.) Also, it seemed to be framed in a" the U.S. is better than the 'third world'" way.

Society moves at such a quick pace at this time that textbooks about society are practically obsolete at publication. For example, I'm writing this review as the coronavirus (COVID 19) hits the U.S. Obviously, the sections of the book on pandemics and epidemics and globalization need to be updated now. That being said, I don't think the need for updates takes away from this book; it'll be easy enough to supplement.

The book is clear, concise, well organized, and defines all jargon (that I noticed). That being said, I feel conflicted about it's writing; it's really basic and, I would argue, somewhat "dumbed down."

Each chapter is formated similarly and each contains global and U.S. centered information and explanations of theoretical applications once past the basic history, theory and methods chapters.

Most of the chapters can be removed or put in a different order without students being confused; most of the chapters do not rely on information from previous chapters to make their points. Some chapters that would usually go together in introductory textbooks are separated out which makes them more modular. For example, many books have one chapter on "Politics and Economics." This textbook has a chapter on Government and Politics and a separate chapter for Work and Economics.

Fairly standard organization of topic order.

Looking at the PDF and online versions, neither showed distortions and both were very easy to navigate and had easy to use (and useful) features like highlighting.

I didn't notice any grammatical errors.

Overall, it wasn't bad. Like I said, I appreciated the more honest look at Native Americans in the chapter on race. I also appreciated that Arab Americans were included in that chapter and that gender variation cross-culturally was brought up. On the negative side, I thought the repeated discussion of female genital cutting was overdone and I was a bit disappointed that different types of racism were mentioned as existing with no additional explanation or discussion. I was also unclear about why racism was framed as a form of prejudice rather than a form of prejudice and discrimination. Additionally, as mentioned previously, the chapter on Global Inequality came across as framed to make the U.S. look less bad.

I thought it was kind of boring. While I don't want it to lose any of its organization, consistency, or other attributes, I would like for it to be more visually engaging. Each "page" is basically a few squares of text and a picture and maybe a textbox telling a "real world" story. It wasn't until close to halfway through that there was even a chart for visual interest.

Reviewed by Lynda Cooksey, Adjunct Professor, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College on 1/13/20

The textbook covers all the usual topics in an introductory text for Sociology. The order of coverage is also pretty standard, beginning with how sociology developed as a discipline, the founding fathers, the three major theories, and topics of concern in society . Each chapter is complete with a chapter summary and key terms, which allows students in an introductory class to become better acquainted with the chapter materials. The text is written in such a manner to make it easy to understand for those in an introductory course.

I feel the content is as accurate as possible, error-free, and unbiased. Often once a book is published or made available, there are changes/updates that need to be made. Society by its very nature is constantly in a state of fluctuation/change.

Content is relevant for today's student. Any updates can easily be added to the content or changed with the instructor's input with the implementation of class lecture material.

The text is very clear in its terminology and language and appropriate for an Introductory Sociology text. Each of the chapters have quizzes to test the student on their working knowledge of the chapter content. The text offers further research for students to explore the section topic as well as other related research topics to explore.

The text is consistent in terminology as well as the framework of the chapters. Each chapter is constructed in pretty much the same fashion throughout the entire text., which adds to the students ability to grasp the material content.

The text is written in such a fashion that with the subheadings, chapters can easily be divided into smaller reading segments without causing confusion to the reader.

The text is organized in such a manner that the material flows easily from Chapter 1-Chapter 21 making the transition from chapter to chapter logical. The organizational structure follows the same pattern of most introductory texts in Sociology.

The interface allows for smooth navigation. OpenStax makes this text available in two formats (either PDF or Online) which adds to the ease of accessibility. There were no distortions in images, charts, or any other display features.

No grammatical errors were noted.

The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive in any way. Examples used are unbiased/fair and all inclusive of the diverse world in which we live.

I found in reviewing the text that it is a very well written introductory text and representative of most introductory texts for Sociology. I find that it being offered free for students will make the possibility of mastering the course material less a burden financially for those who otherwise could not afford to buy the text.

Reviewed by Heidi Reynolds-Stenson, Assistant Professor, Colorado State University - Pueblo on 12/3/19

The textbook hits (almost) all the major topics an introduction to sociology text should. But be aware that it is more comprehensive in its breadth of topics than in its depth of discussion. Many sections felt short compared with other intro. texts I have used or considered. While some students might welcome the lighter reading, I worry that they may miss out on important knowledge (unless the professor is very deliberate about filling the gaps and digging deeper in lecture). There are a few specific oversights I noticed. For example, in the social movement theory section, it makes no mention of two of the major theoretical camps: grievance/classicial theories and political opportuntiies/process theories. It instead focuses a great deal on new social movement theory (in addition to resource mobilization and framing, as it should), which is relatively marginal in the study of social movements compared to these two that are not even mentioned. Another gap I noticed in the book overall is that there was no discussion of social networks.

I found no major inaccuracies. However, as a social movements scholar, I found the typology of social movements offered in 21.2 to be a little misleading. For example, I have seen MADD cited as an example of an alternative movement elsewhere, but here it is cited as a reform movement. And the term resistance movement is, as I am aware, never used by scholars of social movements the way the text is using it—these would be referred to as conservative or regressive movements, or sometimes countermovements, but not resistance movements.

The text could be improved with the updating of some facts (I noticed a table on page 263 displaying data from 1989, for example), but in general it was presented in a way that makes the material relevant for students.

I found the textbook to be clear and easy to read and understand.

I did not notice any glaring inconsistencies in language.

I think it could be broken up easily, however having a more in0depth standalone theory chapter, as opposed to a very general theory chapter and then theory sprinkled throughout the rest, would improve modularity.

I think the flow and order of topics are logical and intuitive. The chapter organization works well, although I would prefer if they were also organized into units.

It looked good and worked well, whether reading it online or downloading the PDF. The hyperlinked table of contents on the PDF is very helpful. Hyperlinking the index would a really nice touch as well.

I noticed no grammatical errors.

The textbook does a good job of covering diverse perspectives and experiences with sensitivity. It also includes an international perspective on many of the topics, which is not true of many U.S. sociology texts.

Overall, I think this is a very good introductory text that would work well for many introduction to sociology courses. I only reviewed the textbook itself, but I am happy to see there is a test bank, powerpoint slides, and other instructor resources as well. I will definitely consider adopting this instead of my current non-open source textbook.

Reviewed by Pete Martini, Assistant Professor, Manchester University on 6/14/19

The book does a good job on topical material (i.e. it hits all the "big items" in a typical Intro Sociology text). The text is short and sweet in each section and does not feel overburdened. For those of us who go into detail in lecture, this text... read more

This book has a solid footing in the topics covered. When discussing a topic in a prof's area of interest, it can feel a little light. For example, I found the health and sexuality chapters to be missing some things I would have liked. I feel like that's probably the same reaction stratification folks will have of the stratification chapter, or race/ethnicity folks will have of the race/ethnicity chapter. Approaching this text with a generalist's eye is probably a good idea.

This is a strength of the book. The topics covered will be enduring in their importance, but the to-the-point nature of the writing makes necessary updates easier.

The writing in this book is very appealing for a generation of students who are used to communicating in Instagram posts. Short, sweet, and to-the-point is the description I would use. It lends itself to be useful for professors who deliver a lot of additional detail in either lecture or in-class activities.

I particularly enjoy the way the authors bring each topic back to the "Big Three" theories while including other relevant theoretical families where appropriate (e.g. Queer Theory in the Gender, Sex, Sexuality chapter).

Each chapter is divided into easily digestible chunks. One can easily read a section then come back. At the same time, the book does effortlessly flow from topic to topic throughout the chapter. This allows the chapters to be taken in as short bursts, or as a bigger chunk that's clearly divided into relevant and understandable sections. Needing to click between sections reinforces may help reinforce the idea that "we're moving on to another topic" in a way that traditional book headings do not.

Honestly, pretty standard Sociology text organization here. Nothing new or earth-shattering. Just solid.

Interface rating: 3

I used the OpenStax CNX interface to view this book. My only issue is that I wish the sidebar used indentations to help denote what is grouped together. It's not the prettiest navigation pane. I loved the "Next" button that allowed me to simply move from section to section. Each section also maintains all download options in case a student needs to download a single reading rather than the whole book. I wish the CreativeCommons block at the bottom was either collapsible or smaller (read: less visually intrusive).

I found no grammar errors. To be fair, I was reading quickly and for content and keywords.

As is common with introductory texts, I wish this text spent more time including sexual and gender minority individuals. Discussions of how intersectionality impact each of the topics covered is no MORE necessary with this text than with any other text I've used though.

I've used Giddens and Carr for several years now. The quality of this text, along with its availability, make me seriously consider moving to an open text.

Reviewed by Zorian Sasyk, Assistant Professor, E-Resource and Discovery Librarian, Metropolitan State University - Minnesota State on 6/4/19

The text is thorough in its coverage of the introductory aspects of sociology for a contemporary undergraduate audience. It seems equivalent to other introductory texts that I have encountered. read more

The text is thorough in its coverage of the introductory aspects of sociology for a contemporary undergraduate audience. It seems equivalent to other introductory texts that I have encountered.

The text overall is accurate in terms of content, although as others have noted, there is some variation by chapter (the characterization of Simmel in Chapter 1, as well as the omission of Talcot Parsons in the section of Chapter 1 pertaining to Structural Functionalism). However, such omissions or contentious points of emphasis could be easily addressed by supplementary material from an instructor.

The content is reasonably up-to-date, more so than most sociology texts I've come across.

The text is written in an easy-to-read, fluent style that is always a welcome sight in any sociology textbook. The text generally avoids unnecessary deep dives or tangents into theory, methods, or history; it strikes a good balance between readability and technical content coverage, excellent traits for an undergraduate introductory text.

The text is fairly consistent in terms of prose style, definitions, and formatting. However, a few sections (depending on Chapter) are more thoroughly fleshed out or investigated then others (for example, the Chapter 1 sections on Functionalism vs Conflict Theory, where the latter as several paragraphs dedicated to different theorists in said tradition). In addition, in a few places, the prose is a bit choppy and it is obvious to the reader that the work was most likely written in chunks by several authors, even within sections and Chapters.

The aforementioned concise nature of the text's chapters and sections, as well as its granular and hyperlinked Table of Contents, makes it a fairly modular tool for instruction. It would be easy to divide the text's chapters into shorter assigned readings using the Chapter hyperlinks.

The text was organized in a manner congruent with other introductory texts in Sociology. Although theory is discussed in a small section in Chapter 1 and sporadically via sociological topic, the text lacks a dedicated and comprehensive section or chapter on full breadth of the sociological tradition.

In my experiences reading the text via web browser and as a desktop PDF file, I encountered no interface or usability issues.

I encountered occasional typos and missing words, more than in a standard textbook but within acceptable limits for a collaborative, CC-licensed educational resource.

I found the text to be, overall, very inclusive, perhaps more so than many sociology textbooks I have encountered. For example, Chapter 1 mentions several historical female sociologists that I had never seen featured in a introductory text before. However, it also seemed like many of the "Making Connections" boxes were United States-centric; it would be great if more of these featured global examples.

Reviewed by Deborah Van Cura, Adjunct Lecturer, LAGCC on 5/16/19

The text provides an excellent introduction to sociology. It includes the usual topics that are covered in all basic introductory texts for a one semester course. I found the glossary and summaries at the end of each chapter very helpful. read more

A few definitions were different than other sociological but overall would be considered a reliable text.

The presentation of ideas and examples were very relevant to today's students. I liked that a whole chapter is devoted to media and technology but it would be up to the individual professor to update some of these issues as this topics changes so fast. This is not unique to this text but a very common challenge.

This text is very easy to read and should keep students engaged. The explanations of concepts are clear and concise. The reviews at the end of each chapter would be very helpful to students.

The text was extremely consistent in presenting ideas. Throughout the text the sociological perspectives are discussed which reinforces them.

The text is easy to divide and reorganize based on the preferred flow of the course.

The text follows a typical progression throughout the course of an introductory class building on skills previously covered. There format is logical and has a natural progression.

The text is fine in the pdf format. I downloaded it in my Kindle and some names (i.e. Emile Durkheim) and numbers did not show up accurately. Not sure if it is just my tablet or a general problem.

I did not find any grammatical errors in the text.

The text is culturally inclusive.

This is a text I would definitely use in my course.

Reviewed by Paul Kamolnick, Professor, East Tennessee State University on 4/18/19

This text contains the standard chapters found in virtually all textbooks. read more

This text contains the standard chapters found in virtually all textbooks.

I detected no errors in matters of fact. The bias toward a virtually 100% socioenvironmental theorization of human society exists, but is sane relative to other accounts. I did detect a major error in describing Georg Simmel (1858-1918). He is described as a "German art critic". For ANYONE familiar with Simmel, that is an atrocious characterization. He was first and foremost a philosopher, but also a pioneer of a distinct method and theory for understanding sociological phenomena. Art, aesthetics, culture, certainly were subjects of his interest, but his vast scholarship in sociology and other subjects are not captured by that description. But I feel overall, without question, the general thrust of the text is scholarly.

It should be easy to update as necessary factual developments. It is far less dated than some texts in their 14th editions that still use sources and notes from the 1970s and 1980s.

The text is well written, and is lucid. Jargon is defined. I would say that perhaps the writing is pitched at a higher level of language capacity than the typical student with whom I deal. But it is lively, and it can be complimented by instructor elaboration.

I detected no inconsistencies.

Modularity is an asset here. Supposing rearrangement of material is possible when necessary, it will work well.

It follows, in general, the standard template for Intro texts. Topics do flow logically.

I experienced no difficulties from my laptop using a standard browser.

I detected no obvious errors.

It is sufficiently inclusive, and non-offensive.

I am impressed with this text. It compares extremely favorably with any text I have reviewed. I will strongly consider this text for my course.

Reviewed by Shelley Koch, Associate Professor of Sociology, Emory and Henry College on 4/10/19

This book presents as your standard sociology textbook in terms of content and organization, starting with an introduction and then chapters on theory and research, and then content areas. If I were to use a textbook, I think this would be... read more

As far as I can tell, the information presented is pretty standard.

The I find the three theoretical model outdated but so constraining as this framework structures every chapter. In the Chapter on Sex, Gender, and Sexuality, for example, feminist theory is given one small paragraph and theories on gender or intersectionality are not even offered. While this particular chapter has a decent discussion of the difference between sex, gender and sexuality, I probably would not even assign the section on theoretical perspectives. Also missing in this chapter is any discussion of women and work, a topic I did not find in related chapters. In the chapter on population and the environment, coverage of climate change gets one section, as does environmental racism. I know a textbook cannot include everything but I find these chapters to be rather thin.

The text is clear and accessible. I do appreciate the short vignettes at the beginning of chapters or sections that introduce the main content.

The text is consistent throughout.

As with any intro textbook it would be easy to assign particular content chapters which could be integrated with the introduction, theory and research sections.

Each chapter contains an overview and is divided into two or three specific topics. It is easy to follow.

The text is easy to navigate and has good images and graphics. I wonder if it would be possible to embed videos and other activities to aid students in understanding the concepts.

This text appears to be well edited and I could find few errors.

The text is culturally relevant and appropriate.

Reviewed by Alecea Standlee, Assistant Professor, Gettysburg College on 3/12/19

This book covers the major subfields and concepts within sociology. Each chapter provides a solid overview, and covers major thinkers, concepts and vocabulary within the field. read more

This book covers the major subfields and concepts within sociology. Each chapter provides a solid overview, and covers major thinkers, concepts and vocabulary within the field.

Overall all the book is reasonably accurate. Inaccuracies tend to be primarily the result of the age of text. It is 4 years old, and some of policies, practices and statistics in the book are outdated. This is an issue in sections of the book the rely heavily on statistics or discuss public policy, for example the healthcare chapter.

Text is reasonably up to date, but needs revision in some sections to reflect changes in healthcare, politics, education etc in the last 4 years. I would say that it should be reasonably simple to update, though there are some areas that need to be rewritten.

The writing style is clear and accessible. The organization is straightforward and the use of vocabulary is appropriate to the level.

Very consistent. I didn't notice any real variation in tone or framework from chapter to chapter.

Overall yes, the text is broken up into subheadings, however many of the sections are interconnected, so within chapters, it might be a bit of a challenge to assign partial sections.

Logical, clear and well organized.

I don't see any navigational or display issues. Well designed.

I didn't notice any grammar issues.

This is a difficult one. By its very nature, sociology is a discipline that students may find challenging. For example, white students often find the idea that racial inequality exists to run counter to their beliefs. Students who specific religious convictions may disagree strongly with the idea that non-heterosexuals should be viewed as a normal variation of human sexuality. Students who are from economically privileged backgrounds can feel like the poor are morally bad. Presenting information, even objective data that counters stereotypes is essential to the discipline but can be challenging. In general, this text does this well. It err's a bit on the side of neutrality actually, and in doing so avoids some of the heavy lifting in challenging stereotypes and inequalities, which may mean the faculty member has to do a bit more.

Overall, this is well written and clearly organized. A good solid introductory textbook for sociology. It is perhaps a bit bland, as the authors focus on providing vocabulary, concepts and basic knowledge. The Making Connections features provide a bit more interest, and provide some venues for more robust discussion.

Reviewed by Chris Solario, Adjunct Instructor, Western Oregon University on 3/1/19

The book provides an excellent overview of the sociological topic with clear objectives. Each chapter wraps up with key terms, a section summary and both multiple choice and short answer questions that will help students master the material. read more

Book appears to be error free and unbiased.

The text provides several current "real world" examples along with references to further scholarship. Supplementing textbook with real time events would be straightforward..

Key terms, concepts and theoretical frameworks are clearly presented throughout the book with several relevant examples.

The textbook chapters are consistent with clearly defined learning objectives at the beginning, and a comprehensive chapter review that includes key terms, sample exam questions and an extensive reference list.

Textbook is broken up into small easy to read sections with no more than a few paragraphs per topic. Chapters are fairly short and there are several graphics and captions that help students make clear connections to each concept.

There is a clear flow through each chapter building on previous concepts mastered in earlier sections o fetch text.

Book is easy to navigate with a nice complement of graphics and images.

Grammar is consistent throughout the book and would be easily interpreted by undergraduates.

The text provides a nice overview of various peoples' races, ethnicities and backgrounds.

This is an excellent, comprehensive textbook for a survey course in sociology.

Reviewed by Dee Malcuit, Associate Professor of Sociology, OhioLink on 12/2/18

Overall, this OER offers a general/brief overview of Introduction to Sociology content. read more

Overall, this OER offers a general/brief overview of Introduction to Sociology content.

The provided content examples and data is outdated. The routine use of “Wikimedia” for chapter charts, graphs, and photos is a concern.

Updating chapter content examples and data is suggested. Student required assignments focused on current outside sources and data would compensate for content deficit.

The OER is well formatted and presented. The chapters are brief and to the point. Each chapter includes sociology terminology, theory and concepts, and a test bank for review.

Consistency rating: 3

Yes, with the exception of chapter one and two. Limited content for the foundations of sociology and the social science research process.

Yes, the brief and general format is conducive to a quick review of general sociology concepts and material.

Yes, with the exception of chapter two, personally I would move the research and methods chapter further back in the text - chapter five perhaps. Covering origins, theory, theorist, culture, and socialization prior to research and methods has proven to ease students into the application concepts of research.

It is my opinion that data, such as charts and graphs, work toward a better understanding of the content presented in each chapter. Students that are visual learners benefit from reliable images/charts that accurately support the written material.

Correct, I did not find grammatical errors

Yes, I agree that the content is inclusive and appropriate

Overall, this OER offers a good general overview of Introduction to Sociology content. The material can be easily subsidized to incorporate updates outside sources and data.

Reviewed by Paul Croll, Associate Professor of Sociology, Augustana College on 11/15/18

This text is comprehensive. It is comparable to the other main Introduction to Sociology alternatives in the market. Comparing the table of contents to other widely-used Intro texts, this text is equally comprehensive. The chapters and subjects included in this text work for the way I teach Introduction to Sociology. I appreciate the "key terms" (glossary) at the end of each chapter. It makes sense to me to have the glossary sections at the end of each chapter, rather than the end of the entire text. The index at the end of the text is sufficient. However, there is a little quirk with the index given the chapter glossaries at the end of each chapter. Most terms in the glossary are listed twice -- first the mention of the term in the chapter and second the term in the chapter-end glossary. I would suggest removing the second page number in the index for these terms and just pointing students to the place in the chapter where the term is discussed.

I found the content to be very accurate. I did not find any errors or inconsistencies. I do feel the text is unbiased. As best as possible, the text presents key sociological ideas in an unbiased, objective manner. I feel like the text does a good job dealing with potentially controversial issues and providing the empirical data available. I can use the material presented here to have productive conversations about these topics without fear or criticism of bias.

I feel like this text is as up-to-date and relevant as any of the Introduction to Sociology textbooks in the market. I do not entirely rely on my textbook to be completely up-to-date. Rather, I use the textbook to provide the key ideas and concepts and then often bring in my own relevant, current examples for the chapter and material we are discussing. In this regard, this text will work well for my purposes. I do not see any concerns about the format and arrangement of the chapters causing any difficulties for updates as needed.

This text is written at a level that is appropriate for an Introduction to Sociology course. The discipline-specific terminology used is appropriate and there are plenty of definitions for students throughout the text.

The text is consistent both across and within the chapters. The framework and organization of the text works well for students.

I believe it would be easy to select only certain chapters from this text for use in a class. I probably would not divide the chapters into smaller reading sections, but I could imagine an instructor only using some of the chapters from the text. If it was necessary to divide the chapters into smaller sections to be assigned, I do believe this could be done. However, I would not suggest only assigning part of a chapter from this text. I would strongly recommend using complete chapters from this text if this text is used for a course.

I like the organization of this book. As many Introductory texts are organized, this text starts with a couple chapters on big ideas about sociology as a discipline and how we do sociology. These are followed by chapters on specific topics. This is how my own Introduction to Sociology course is organized. Each chapter is organized in a clear fashion and I think students would get used to the style and format of the chapters as they used this book. I appreciate that the last chapter is about Social Movements and Social Change. Much of what we do in sociology focuses on social problems and inequalities. I believe it is important to end a course like this thinking about prospects for social change. We study the problems in society because we want to make it better. I agree with the authors to end with Social Change.

No issues with the interface. The text, pictures, and format work on multiple devices in multiple formats. The hyperlinks to pages and chapters in the table of contents, index, etc. work fine without any problems.

No issues with grammatical errors in this text.

This text does a good job including diverse perspectives across the topics presented. Across U.S. society and across the globe, appropriate examples and comparisons are used. I did not see the text as culturally insensitive or offensive in any way.

I think this is an excellent Introduction to Sociology textbook. This text provides the basics I need to teach the course at my school. The text covers the main ideas, theories, concepts, and topics I believe should be part of any Introduction to Sociology course. I do not believe any textbook is perfect, but this text is sufficient for my needs. The advantage of providing the text to students as an Open Educational Resource (OER) is a major advantage of this text. I do not feel that the other texts in this market are worth the cost of adopting over this text. I plan to switch to this OER text for my Introduction to Sociology course.

Reviewed by Robert Wengronowitz, Visiting Assistant Professor, Augustana College on 11/8/18

Keirns et al. are very comprehensive. The book covers all the major ares within sociology and in terms of comprehensiveness, is on part with other Intro texts. read more

Keirns et al. are very comprehensive. The book covers all the major ares within sociology and in terms of comprehensiveness, is on part with other Intro texts.

The book is accurate. I'd like there to be more specificity. So for instance, intersectionality is attributed to Hill Collins. Sure, she was critical, but Crenshaw is the typical cite. Much of the time, I'd also like the text to be more critical. So for instance, in the chapter on global inequality, it takes a long time to say anything about colonization: "Why is Africa in such dire straits? Much of the continent’s poverty can be traced to the availability of land, especially arable land (land that can be farmed). Centuries of struggle over land ownership have meant that much useable land has been ruined or left unfarmed, while many countries with inadequate rainfall have never set up an infrastructure to irrigate. Many of Africa’s natural resources were long ago taken by colonial forces, leaving little agricultural and mineral wealth on the continent." I use the textbook for basic material, and it's accurate enough for that.

A lot of the modern examples to introduce material and relate to students is okay. It's difficult to keep it fresh though, so this is something all textbooks suffer.

The text is clear. It could be much more lucid. But this is a common feature with textbooks.

Each chapter follows the same pattern, there's an outline and learning objectives, there are "making connections" pop-outs, then the main themes with subsections, then a review and end of chapter stuff: terms, summary, quiz, etc. the main topics found within the chapter are presented with the chapter's number and section number followed by a main area within the topic that is consistently found in a different color and bigger font than the main content of the chapter, and finally there is a chapter review that provides the following information: terms, really short summary, quiz, further research, and references.

Definitely. I only use five or so of the chapters and don't go in order and it works fine.

I'd order the chapters differently. Why is media before stratification, race, and gender? Social movements always seems to come at the end. I get that it's a nice way to leave students thinking, but changing that up might be fun.

Very functional. Search features work, chapters are clickable from table of contents, and there's an index.

Suffers from white guy syndrome, but this feels like other textbooks as well and is somewhat difficult to remedy given the history of the discipline. To cite one example, Du Bois is entirely absent.

My main hiccup is the limited critical perspective. But it's often useful in class to show students it's GOOD to question things and be critical, even if something is in a textbook. For example, the social stratification chapter has a figure of strata in rock and how this illustrates stratification. That sure makes it seem natural. But it's fun to pull it apart with students. The "Soc research" and "Soc in the real world" bits the authors have sprinkled in are often the most useful. More of those on a revision would be good.

Reviewed by Lloyd Klein, Associate Professor, Laguardia Community College, CUNY on 5/21/18

The text is extremely comprehensive. Topics covered comprise the traditional menu associated with with most introductory sociology textbooks utilizing the "Ian Robertson" layout that has been customary. This is the cursory summary of the leading... read more

The book is objective and accurate in regard to data on such topics as aging, poverty, race, and inequality. The authors basically state the facts in a short, clipped fashion without going into subjective viewpoints.

The text states universal information that will tend not to really go out of date over an extended period of time. Any updates will easily fit into the format of description and definition of concepts. Perhaps the photos and some graphics would change with time.

The prose is clear and written for the comprehension of students undertaking the study of Sociology. Although not glossy or spectacular, students will come away with knowing the basic information in this overview of sociological ideas.

Internal consistency is very evident in the framework of each chapter from introduction to discussion and ultimately summation and sample questions to test students on the information.

Modularity is one of the stronger suits of the text. There are enough chapters covering virtually any topics that instructors would want to include in their introductory sociology course. The information flows in a comprehensive fashion within each of the reading sections.

The book employs the logical flow associated with other standard introductory sociology texts. The transition between chapters is clear and logical.

The charts and photos occur naturally without distracting the reader from the main point of the reading. In fact, the information presented in charts and photos strongly enhance the traditional objective organization of the overall text.

The book is grammatically correct have been edited and carefully presented to the professor and students.

The book is indifferent to various social issues and avoids any material that might be insensitive or offensive. The materials are objectively presented in reflecting current cultural values while allowing the instructor to interject additional materials supplementing the presentation of the materials.

The book offers an inexpensive and good option to the glossy texts presenting the same materials. This would be very helpful for a hybrid or online course.

Reviewed by Aysha Bodenhamer, Assistant Professor, Radford University on 3/27/18

The text is very comprehensive, offering chapters on most all major concepts in an introductory sociology text. read more

The text is very comprehensive, offering chapters on most all major concepts in an introductory sociology text.

This varies greatly by chapter, but it does seem to be a bit left-leaning at times.

Content appears to be up to date, but some examples could possible be outdated pretty quickly (ex: tv shows in Chapter 3, section 3.3). Discussion of inventions/discoveries seems irrelevant.

The layout, different sections in each chapter, make it easy to follow, but vary greatly between sections and chapter, particularly with regards to relevance.

Language is okay, but clarity could be improved for some discussions. For example, section 5.1 is lacking discussion of Goffman's presentation of self and dramaturgical theory, which I believe is located in chapter 1.

Consistency seems to vary greatly in between chapters. Some topics that seem tertiary are talked about in great detail, whereas, other seemingly more important topics are not discussed very much at all. Example, xenophobia in chapter 3 is only mentioned in passing.

Sections are divided well, but organization seems off. For example, history and theory in Chapter 1 should be better integrated instead of separate sections.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

Again, the structure and flow could be improved. For example, the Global Inequality section has a better discussion of poverty and inequality than the stratification section, which seems strange to me. Globalization could be a better chapter, and the inequality part could be included in the stratification section.

Students have told me that the page numbers and graphic numbers do not match when viewing online compared to the downloaded pdf.

Seems okay as far as I can tell.

I think there are good examples across cultures. I haven't noticed anything blatantly offensive or insensitive.

I LOVE the idea of a free textbook for my students, which are largely racial/ethnic minorities and/or first generation students, but there are some inconsistencies across the book, and the lack of resources makes it cumbersome at times. Thanks for your efforts in pushing this open source movement forward!

Reviewed by Peter Grahame, Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Schuylkill on 2/1/18

This text covers all of the standard areas for an introductory textbook. An index is provided at the end, and each chapter has a list of key terms and definitions. read more

This text covers all of the standard areas for an introductory textbook. An index is provided at the end, and each chapter has a list of key terms and definitions.

In some chapters, I found some strangely off-base assertions and misleading sentence constructions. I will cite a few here, but there are many others. In the theory segment, Georg Simmel is described as a literary critic. That's like calling Karl Marx a newspaperman. You could say those things with some (scant) justification, but both men trained as philosophers and were regarded as philosophers. In the research chapter, institutional ethnography is given a wildly misleading description, and the only citation provided as authority is from a brief account of a career award. There are so many fine sources that could have been used--this is very sloppy scholarship. One could do much better just going to Wikipedia. The definition of culture provided refers to beliefs and values, omitting material culture. Material culture is mentioned later, referring--somewhat narrowly--to "objects," but the glossary definition again mentions only beliefs and values. A more inclusive definition of culture is needed. I found descriptions of "theory," "hypothesis," and "interpretive framework" to be awkward and oddly off-base. The relation of participant observation and ethnography is not properly presented: one might think they were entirely different enterprises, whereas a great deal of ethnographic work in sociology is PO based, and not all of it it concerns "entire communities." The account of "ideal type" is disgraceful. In the first two chapters in particular, there are so many small but consequential errors that I could not imagine having my students read this. I should note that some of the later chapters are much better: chapters on deviance, stratification, and race seemed okay. This suggests multiple, piecemeal authorship. The urban/environment chapter is really an environment chapter; the urban part is very thin indeed.

The content seems pretty up to date, and is comparable with other introductory textbooks on the market.

Regarding longevity, it seems average. The book is thoroughly committed to the "three paradigm" approach, which is being questioned seriously these days. Virtually no upper level textbooks are built around the "three paradigms," and professional sociologists don't rely on this set of distinctions. It seems very old-fashioned, a legacy of the 60s and 70s.

The book is clear in parts, but some chapters are better than others. The first two chapters include many formulations that are somewhat misleading or off-base. Someone who knows the field well needed to go through these chapters and do some heavy editing. I felt that the author(s) was/were unsure of the distinctions they were attempting to make. Some of the later chapters are better.

Consistency rating: 2

The book is not consistent. Some sentences are illogical. Some terms are defined in one way and then used in another way in the chapter. The quality and accuracy of the different chapters varies. Some are fine but others are not. I find it unsettling that some of the least well-written chapters are the first ones.

I think it could be used this way. In this respect, reading the book is a bit like reading Wikipedia: everything is there, but the arrangement seems purely conventional, and without much of an overall design beyond tradition and convention. This is not a text with a point of view or an overall argument. So while I could pull out pieces for use on a free-standing basis, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

The topics are presented in the standard way for introductory textbooks. I found few surprises. All of the topics were pretty much as expected. Some topics were handled in a very weak way for my purposes (e.g., social interaction and urban life, to mention two), but they were located where I expected them to be.

I had no problems with the interface. Everything seemed to work smoothly. Like many textbooks, I found this one to be somewhat cluttered. That is typical these days.

I noticed one typo, where Trayvon Martin is referred to as "her," but there are not many problems of a strictly grammatical nature.

I thought that the book was okay with regard to cultural sensitivity. I looked closely for that issue in the chapter on race and found nothing that stood out as problematic. In fact, I liked that chapter.

It's of such uneven quality that I could not imagine using it as a main course text. Another problem for me is that there is insufficient attention to topics, such as social interaction, that are important in my course.

Reviewed by Jill Sturges, Instructor of Record, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on 2/1/18

This textbook is an excellent introductory text for Sociology. It cover many of the major components that need to be discussed in an Introductory Sociology class. It includes an easy to read preface and glossary. I was able to effectively find and use different topics of discussion using the glossary. I like how they have a search bar and it is easy to search a specific topic. For example, I searched "Freud". It found 6 matches and told me the exact pages and what was discussed about Freud on these pages. I was able to easily click on the match and go to those pages. This is excellent when a student asks a question and you are able to quickly find a match and page number to direct them to for help. I was able to navigate through chapters by clicking on the contents and choosing what I wanted to look at. I think overall this is a great start for an introductory course and it covers a wide array of topics in an easy to read and navigate fashion.

I found this book to be accurate and to my knowledge did not contain errors. I think it is unbiased and has a complete view of a wide array of topics. I teach an introductory sociology class online and I would consider using a textbook such as this in the future. I was impressed to see the discussion about feminism and feminist theory. I think this is important for all students to know and understand. For example, Chapter 8: Theoretical Perspectives on Media and Technology discusses cyber feminism, the application to, and promotion of feminism online. This is very interesting to me, I teach a class about feminism and I did not know of this topic until reviewing this text! I will incorporate this concept in future discussions for that class.

I think this book does a wonderful job at getting the reader interested in the topic by starting out each chapter with relevant examples in today's day and age. I think this is very important in order to keep students interested and for them to understand the topics better. This textbook is up to date and I think most students can relate to the examples. An example of this is Chapter 7: Introduction to Deviance, Crime, and Social Control. They begin by discussing how 23 states have passed measures legalizing marijuana in some form. They continue by discussing that a majority of people (52%) now favor legalizing marijuana. I think these are important topics that can affect our future and students need to learn about them and understand the consequences of this and many of the other topics discussed in this text. Another example that I found intriguing was Chapter 8: Introduction to Media and Technology. This chapter discusses friends and how many "friends" do they have on Facebook versus having a face-to-face conversation. This is a major issue especially with the newest generation of children growing up as Gen Z or iGeneration children. How will this affect their socialization overall? How will it affect businesses and technologies. There are many many questions about this and how it affects socialization. I think these are current and important topics for now and the future! As I stated in a prior comment I also did not know or hear of the term cyberfeminism until reviewing this text and in the future I will bring this term to the students attention because I feel it is an important topic to cover in that particular class.

I believe this text to be an easy to read. This is very important since most students that will be reading this text will be most likely be at more of a beginning college level versus later on in their college careers. I have gone through many textbooks to decide on the best choice for the class that I am teaching. All to often, I will completely disregard a text if I feel it is above the students heads so to speak. I want students to be able to sit down with a text and enjoy reading it. I do not want students to feel flustered or overwhelmed because they have to reread chapters several times to understand a topic. I have a pretty good feel for what students like as far as textbooks and I feel students would enjoy this text. It is an easy read but covers all the topics in detail. I believe the writing in this text to have adequate context and relatable jargon for the students. I feel students of any college level could easy read and navigate this text without problems and that is very important for an introductory text.

This text is very consistent throughout the chapters and makes it easy for each student to relate the different sociological concepts to the relevant discussion at hand. For example, almost every chapter discusses theoretical perspectives on each chapters topic. They include, Functionalism, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionism in each chapter, and Feminist theory when relevant. This makes it easy for students to understand how to apply these different theoretical perspective on each topic. I have seen other textbooks other than this one where this has been placed in a non-organize fashion and it makes it much harder for students to understand and relate the theoretical perspectives on each topic. However, text is very well organized and clearly shows how each theoretical perspective applies to each topic. This text is highly consistent in terms of terminology and the framework.

This text modularity seemed to be well laid out. I think each section makes it easy to break stud nets into groups or assignments. As far as the chapters themselves, I feel this text is well organized and easy to navigate. It is self-explanatory and any student could easy break down the chapters to read or discuss at their liking.

The topics in this text are organized in a clear-cut easy to navigate way. I feel that it is very easy to navigate from chapter to chapter and topic to topic. I especially like the search box where you are able to search any topic and it tells you exactly how many matches for that word or topic and then you are able to click on the one you want and it takes you directly to that page. For example, I searched "feminism" and it told me of 11 matches total. Then it broke it down to each chapter and section where I could find feminism. My only complaint about this is that in one search it came back with 8 matches and another time it came back with 11. I spelled feminism the same way each time so I am not sure why one time came back with more matches than another. I was specifically looking for cyberfemism and it came up in one search but not the other. I think this area should be expanded to search different forms of the word so that if a student is searching they can easily get results for the topic searched. For example, if they search "feminism" they should show matches for feminist, cyberfeminism, and other terms that relate to feminism. However, I feel it should still be close to the match and not too far off the realm so that they are not overwhelmed with matches so I am not sure how plausible this would be.

The interface of this text is easily navigated, searched, and free of clutter. I think this text is clear cut and well organized. It does not feel cluttered or overwhelming. The only navigation issue I mentioned earlier was that I saw was when I searched feminism versus feminist it didn't bring up the same results and being such a similar term I felt it should of had the same search results. Other than this, the interface is extremely easy to use and navigate.

There are no grammatical errors in this text to my knowledge. I think this text was well reviewed and edited and is an outstanding text.

The cultural relevancy of this text is up to date and is not insensitive or offensive in any way. The text gave great excellent example on each topic and incorporated up to date information. For example, in chapter 10: Introduction to Global Inequality, the text discusses where close came from and how the business is outsourced for a cheap price. When that country had a major disaster, not many from the U.S. stepped in to help that country. These are important relevant topics that students need to understand and discuss.

Overall, I think this is an excellent text. I have not found any major problems or concerns. The text covers a wide array of topics for an introductory sociology course and anyone teaching the course can easily break it down into smaller sections and/or choose which topics to focus on. It encompasses relevant and important information, theories, and topics. The text us easy to read, understand, and navigate. I would recommend this text for others teaching an intolerable sociology course and I may incorporate it into my class in the future. I think ebooks are becoming more and more popular and students like to have the option of purchasing cheaper textbooks since most are on a budget. Very well done!

Reviewed by Kallie Kantos, Adjunct Instructor , Rainy River Community College on 2/1/18

The book is very detail oriented, but in a way that is not difficult to understand. The learning objectives are clear and concise and placed a the beginning of each chapter. The terms are placed in bold throughout the text, allowing the reader's eyes to go straight to them. The book also includes a section in each chapter entitled, "Society in the Real World - Individual-Society Connections." The book also has a section entitled, "Making Connections" This section encourages instructors and students to discuss real life topics that can be related to sociology.

I like how these readings relate sociology to the reader's life, a practical application if you will.

The index is very detailed and it breaks the main topics down into easy to read and understand sup topics.

At the end of each chapter there is a chapter review that summarizes the chapter's content and allows the students to test their knowledge through multiple choice and essay questions.

The authors clearly made an effort to include students from various ethnic groups and areas of interest, IE sports.

This edition of Introduction to Sociology takes a neutral standing on the referenced topics. The authors make an effort to cover multiple sides of a topic. Bias does not appear to play a role in this text.

The book takes current topics into consider, IE - Media and Technology - and shows how technology impacts everyone's lives. This is an ever-evolving topic and would have to be updated over time, but the topics that are covered under that umbrella topic lay the foundation in a clear and concise manner. The student can relate to this topic easily.

The photos that are used in each chapter are current for the times. These can easily be changed as time goes on to reflect more up to date happenings.

The topics that are addressed in the chapters are current. The book uses examples and situations that are found in today's world, not examples or situations from the past.

The wording in this text book is easy to read, It is written at the appropriate reading level and the concepts can be related to the students' life. The book presents the topics and examples in an easy to read formal.

The key terms are highlighted throughout the text which allows for easy identification of a new concept.

The book follows the same formal throughout its entirety. Book layout: At the beginning of each chapter learning objectives are presented, in the body of the chapter the student will find sections entitled, "Making Connections..." that are offset in different colored boxes (so the eye is easily drawn to that section), the main topics found within the chapter are presented with the chapter's number and section number followed by a main area within the topic that is consistently found in a different color and bigger font than the main content of the chapter, and finally there is a chapter review that provides the following information: Key Terms, Section Summary, Section Quiz (broken down by subsections), Short Answer questions, Further Research and finally References.

This book is divided clearly into main sections and subsections. If an instructor did not have enough time to cover the main topic in full, it would be easy to stop part way through the topic on any one of the clearly delineated subtopics.

The book's format is easy to follow. It is consistent throughout the text and the topics flow into one another - they build a base and then expand into greater detail in the later chapters.

This book is easy to navigate. When viewing it in a pdf format, the images and charts are clear without any visible distortion.

The photographs pertain to the topic at hand and they are clear, no distortion or clarity issues.

Reading through this edition, I did not see any blatant grammatical or textural errors.

I did not see bias in this text book. The author's made an effort to present multiple sides of a topic. The way the information is presented is neutral, no bias. People will always be offended by something, so it is impossible not to offend a few people. This is the risk that authors run when presenting information that pertains to peoples' lives directly. Many of the topics are touchy, especially when today's society mandates that everyone be hyper politically correct. What was not offensive in the past is considered offensive today and I am sure the same thing will be able to be said in years to come about today's version of being "correct."

I like how the book is current with today's topics.

Reviewed by Geoff Harkness, Assistant Professor , Rhode Island College on 2/1/18

It's comprehensive, but there’s a kitchen-sink approach. There are 21 full-length chapters, enough for two semesters of full-time coursework. The kitchen-sink approach is especially noticeable in the chapter reviews, which include a glossary of every key term (with definitions), a summary of each section, a multiple-choice quiz for each chapter section, a short-answer test for each chapter section, suggestions for further research, and complete references. It would be more useful to include this material as a standalone product or at least move it to the end of the book. In general, a more streamlined approach would be helpful for students being introduced to sociology. Part of the job of teaching intro courses is to engage students and get them excited about the discipline. The kitchen-sink approach creates additional work for the instructors and students, who will have to labor to find material of interest. I appreciate the comprehensiveness of the book, but it would benefit from some editing.

The book is accurate, although some of the information seems slightly outdated.

The role of technology is not incorporated into the text very much. There is a standalone chapter on media and technology that addresses technology directly, but today’s college students are so drenched in technology it seems necessary to include it in chapters on subjects such as interaction, culture, or even race. That’s not done here. I understand that things are changing so rapidly it’s impossible to keep up. But even the chapter on technology relies on social media sites such as Facebook, which are not used by many of today’s college students.

The prose is straightforward and easy to understand. There is a lot of jargon, but that's part of the role of a textbook -- introducing fundamental terms and concepts.

It seems as if an anthropologist was involved in writing the book. There are numerous citations of anthropologists and examples of research by anthropologists, as well as entire sections of the book (an exhaustive history of various types of societies – hunter-gatherer, horticultural, etc.) that strike me as more anthropological than sociological. This is not really a problem (and many will view it as beneficial), but given the differences between these disciplines, it could be confusing to students.

The book is extremely text heavy, broken up with a few photographs. I realize that’s part of the deal when the textbook is free, but I have a hard time imagining students engaging with page after page of solid text. It’s a barrier to engagement.

The “making connections” boxes are standalone sections that are designed to elaborate on a particular concept. This is helpful, but not always effective. For example, there is a discussion of Jimmy Buffett fans, the Parrotheads. Few college freshman have any idea what Parrotheads are, nor do most of them care. This is fairly common in textbooks – writing that appeals to the author’s demographics, rather than that of 18 year olds.

The authors just seem to throw anything and everything ever written on the subject into the text. At times, this is confusing. For example, the chapter on culture includes discussions of ethnocentrism and social control, subjects that would make more sense elsewhere. If everything is culture then nothing is culture.

The book is straightforward and easy to navigate.

I did not noitice any errors.

Most intro to sociology textbooks have issues that make them less than perfect. In that regard, this one is no different, but at least it’s free. I could imagine it being useful as a supplement to instructors who prefer to use monographs, but would like to have a foundational text available to students. With some careful (and labor-intensive) curating, it would be effective and save students the cost of an expensive textbook. It’s harder to imagine using it as the primary text for an intro class.

Reviewed by Allison Wisecup, Associate Professor, Radford University on 2/1/18

The text includes the requisite breadth for an introductory text. I, and I think my students, really appreciate the short quizzes at the end of each chapter. These help them gauge their understanding of the material and prepare for course exams.... read more

The book accurately, though superficially, addresses the key content for an introductory text.

The content is reasonably current and I wouldn't imagine that it would need to be updated any more frequently than any other introductory text I have used.

The language used in the book is very accessible to students. It is not heavily laden with unnecessary jargon that might confuse or distract from student learning.

I find no problems with the text in terms of consistency and framework.

The text is highly modular. I can assign various small modules as a foundation for class lectures and discussions. The modules in the text provide students with a common starting point without being unnecessarily long or boring.

There are no inherent problems with the flow of the text. As is usually the case with introductory texts, faculty generally present and cover material in a way that is consistent with their own, rather than the author's organization.

I really appreciate the linked content from the table of contents which makes finding the material for reading assignments very easy. Moreover, I can open the text in class and jump directly to sections of text such as images or the quizzes with east and efficiency.

I have not encountered any grammatical errors in the text.

The text is very culturally relevant.

I notice that some chapters are not as deep in their coverage of material as other chapters. Also, in some places (i.e. crime and deviance) there is a lot of depth in some material (i.e. theory), but only superficial or no discussion of the really important, sociological treatment of the content such as racial disparities in arrests and imprisonment.

Generally speaking, I selected this text to help my students avoid other costly options. I think I will continue to use the text, but I do have to do quite a bit of supplementing the text in lecture and with other readings to be sure that my students have access to important information not included in the book. This can be particularly problematic when students do not or cannot attend class and miss important information covered in class. While this is always a problem, I do not have the luxury of telling them to refer to a specific section of the text for information they missed in class.

Reviewed by Brittanie Roberts, Part-time Sociology Instructor, Portland Community College on 8/15/17

While this text does provide an adequate foundation for students with no prior experience or exposure to the sociological discipline, it lacks alternative perspectives, and is White, and male privilege heavy. While viewing different subjects and topics through the lenses of the 3 main sociological perspectives introduced in the first chapter was fantastic, I felt the text lacking as it did not allow for the exploration of feminist theory and critical race theory as their own sociological lenses. I also felt that the text was repetitive at times, and not in an advantageous way. Certain terms or ideas would be repeated, and hit home without expanding on the term or concept.

I think the authors believe the text is unbiased, but the exclusion of critical race theory and feminist theory make me feel that it could be more objective. I am also not convinced of the book's accuracy; this is somewhat difficult as some of the terms I took issue with (transgender, master status, intersectionality theory, etc.) are sociological and can be up to interpretation and/or evolution over time. However, based on my background, definitions from colleagues, and basic term reviews, some of the defined terms are not accurate.

I implemented this text in 2017; it is fairly relevant, has a lot of up to date issues and topics of debate, and I think adding new issues, or updating issues and topics should be fairly straightforward.

Clarity rating: 2

The text is not written in lucid prose, and there are numerous sections with poor context. The prose is accessible, however, a little too accessible. The jargon makes the text seem like more of a Middle School or High school text and not the text of a post-secondary institution. I have mixed feelings on this. One other complaint as to clarity was the inability to check sources for certain pictures/statistics. For example, Black mothers not re-marrying at the same rate of White mothers. A student had a question about this, and when I attempted to find the source and research the statistic further, I was unable to access the source.

Terminology is consistent (albeit controversial, as addressed above) and the use of the different frameworks is consistent, and well done.

I cannot comment fairly on this as I did not use the text in this manner, but I do think that the text has the potential to be readily divisible into smaller reading sections throughout the course. I can say that I was able to reorganize different chapters to fit my course, and that this was easily done, with little to no disruption.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

The layout is problematic. Globalization, society, stratification, and class (which did not have its own module) were inconsistent. There are some other topics and areas that could have been laid out and connected more consistently. The topics were not presented in a logical, clear fashion; they were all over the place.

My students and I only had one issue with the interface, and that was with printing multiple chapters at a time; the answers to quiz questions did not print, and the layout of the quizzes combined into one long quiz out of context with the chapter sections. Otherwise, there were no navigation problems, images were clear with no disruptions or distractions.

Grammatical Errors rating: 2

The text contains consistent grammatical errors, as well as spelling errors.

The text is barely culturally relevant. It attempts to address different races,ethnicities and backgrounds, but a lot of the text is stereotypical and overused (Black culture has to address MLK Jr., Malcolm X, Civil Rights; Hispanic Latino culture has to mention Cesar Chavez; lack of new or varied/diverse cultural representation and/or history).

Reviewed by Rebecca Vonderhaar, Instructor, Tidewater Community College on 6/20/17

This textbook does a very good job covering all of the critical subjects in Sociology. The way in which the chapters are broken down into smaller subjects allows the the instructor more time to focus on certain issues. The index is very helpful in choosing exactly which subjects we want to cover in case we do not want to cover the entire chapter due to time constraints.

The content seems to be accurate with the exception of PowerPoint for Chapter 1, which states that Clarke and Clarke are sociologists and it is my understanding they are Psychologists. Also, the text does not incorporate the lift of the ban on same-sex marriage in Obergefell v. Hodges, 135 S. Ct. 2071 - 2015. The content is presented in an unbiased way.

The content is up-to-date with a wide range of research from classic research/concepts to contemporary issues such as legalization of marijuana the issues surrounding same sex marriage. Due to the fast changing pace in society today, I am concerned of the longevity of the textbook as it relates to the updating the textbook as changes take place.

The textbook is written very well and the concepts are clear.

The textbook is very consistent.

As stated earlier, the textbook chapters are divided into manageable sections.

The topics are addressed in a logical manner and builds on itself. For example, Culture is taught before Deviance.

So far, I have not had any issues myself while reading online. I plan on integrating the chapters into my BB shell by weeks, so I am hoping I will not have any issues.

I have not found too any issues. One issue I did find is in the Gender chapter. "Individuals who identify with the role that is the different from their biological sex are called transgender."

The text is inclusive and the information in the "Making Connections" boxes are useful in providing real world, contemporary examples and connections. For example. "Social Media as a Terrorist tool."

Overall, this book is organized well, easy to read, broken down in manageable chapters and the examples and images are interesting and on point. Instructors can always add any supplemental readings or topics as they choose.

Reviewed by David Taylor, Instructor, Northshore Technical Community College on 6/20/17

This is a very in-depth look at the fundamentals of Sociology. The 21 chapters give the instructor a variety of materials to choose from but covers quite well the major aspects of each. The index of the book and the glossaries at the end of each chapter help the student in reviewing the major concepts of the chapter. The sample questions are helpful. It is important to me that the student not be given multiple attempts to get the answer right as found in so many online formats of textbooks. I would erase the answers (I assumed this was what the lightly printed "2, A" was for) that are given at the end of the chapter. I think this text could be used either in an online class or face-to-face setting with little adjustment. The essay-style questions at the end are good stimulants to critical thinking.

I found the text to be accurate and UNBIASED. Far too many Sociology textbooks have a leftist/liberal bias that is openly observable. This critical approach to Sociology from the left is no different from a bias coming from the right. I guess you can see that I am positivist in my thinking.

I think the book is very relevant and that the examples used are up to date. As with all textbooks, revision will be needed, but bringing current examples to the classroom is also the responsibility of the teacher, varying from venue to venue and in step with current events.

The text is clear with good flow in the presentation of ideas. New concepts are explained as they arise and reinforced at the end of each chapter. Many times, if there are multiple authors within a work, the style varies from chapter to chapter. I did not get that feel while reading the text.

The text seemed to be consistent from chapter to chapter. Approximately 20 pages were devoted to each and the terminology within and at the end were consistent.

Much of the division of the text was already done by the authors, but the division was logical and there was a flow to the presentation. Terms and examples were consistent with the topic and were fitted at the appropriate place in the text.

This text was most definitely presented in a clear, logical manner.

I found that I could copy and paste text but not pictures from the downloaded format. As I make my own Power Point presentations, it would be helpful if I could also borrow the same pictures as found in the text to include in my PP presentations other than printing the screen. There did seem to be a flaw in photo B on page 491. I don't know if this is something that could be fixed or not.

I did not note any grammatical errors in the book. This might be that I am not the best in English, but also the flow of the text keeps the reader engaged to the point that if errors are there, they are not prominent.

I found the book to be very relevant and applicable to today's (American) society. The examples used were relevant and sensitive to the viewpoints of others.

This was a very thorough book and I hope our school adopts this over what we are presently using for an introductory text.

Reviewed by Jordan Durbin, Sociology Faculty, Portland Community College on 6/20/17

The book lacks a chapter on power which is critical for student's understanding of how society works. Overall, the text covers the main subjects covered in an introductory text. The globalization focus is welcomed. It's not possible to click on a chapter to access that chapter - this makes movement in the text cumbersome. Moving to the next chapter when reading the text is slow.

No information on accuracy at this point.

The text is relevant and updates should be easy to implement. I suggest a need to add the theory and concepts about social power including the work on authority by Weber, the power elite by Mills, and concepts of class and class dominance by Domhoff. Concepts on authority, types of authority, types of power - cultural, economic and political and how society is stratified not only economically but along a clear power dimension are critical concepts in sociology. Even though there is a section on authority under Government and politics, the book does not address power comprehensively

The text is clear and easy to understand. I like the questions at the end of each chapter that enable students to test their understanding of key terms. Additional questions would be helpful. I like the way the chapters are organized in subsections.

There is a clear organization of presentation on the key areas typically covered in a sociology text - with the exception of the power dimension. However, there is much that is not covered.

Easy to extract separate chapters to compile for student use.

Appears logical and easy to follow.

Interface rating: 1

Weak interface - difficult to navigate easily. Cumbersome. It's not possible to click on a chapter to access that chapter - this makes movement in the text cumbersome. Moving to the next chapter when reading the text is slow.

Grammar is fine

On the chapter on race and ethnicity - race in the United States - the description of Native Americans and Hispanics includes a chapter labeled: And why they came This indicates that these people were outsiders, when in fact they were native to the United States. Some bias reflected there. I do like the way the text incorporates current instances of police violence and criminalization of African American youth. The chapter on gender is extremely limited. It would need to be supplemented for students with other resources.

I think the OER text would work if it were supplemented with additional chapters from other books or academic articles.

Reviewed by Ian Bolling, Faculty Lead: Social Sciences (Full-Professor fo Sociology), Tidewater Community College on 6/20/17

The textbook is comprehensive. I have selected numerous chapters from the textbook, but do not require all of the material in the text for a principles of Sociology class. Thus it is more exhaustive than I need, but have the ability to choose... read more

This textbook has been reviewed in its entirety more than once and I have found now errors. It is relatively up to date (more so than hard bound copies are) and accurate.

This is a good solid introduction to Sociology textbook. Statistics are a big part of Sociology so it, like other intro Soc textbooks, will need to be updated regularly.

The textbook is written in a down to earth manner that students can understand and comprehend. Greater use of visual aids would assist students however.

The textbook is consistent with use of terms and does not mistakenly use terms interchangeably which can create confusion for students. It comes across as a professional book.

It is very easy to assign separate chapters in the order one would prefer. Because of its great depth of analysis this textbook could also be used for a Soc 201/202 course that requires more chapters.

It matches up with other Sociology textbooks (which is pretty standard).

There are no issues with its interface, but I would like more interfacing in general with digital resources, clickable maps, videos, etc.

No grammatical mistakes.

As a Sociology textbook it does a good job of looking at concepts from a cross-cultural perspective, thus it is culturally relevant and not offensive or insensitive to various races, ethnicities, sex, gender, and other groups of people.

I will be using this textbook in an OER course for Principles of Sociology.

Reviewed by Jennifer Valentine, Instructor, Sociology, Tidewater Community College on 6/20/17

This text generally covers the same areas and ideas as the physical, paid-for text adopted by my institution. So, all the better that this version is available at no-cost. At the end of each section, there are practice quizzes, reflection questions and a glossary of concepts. The concepts are appropriate, and cover terms and ideas that I think are important to an understanding of the discipline. This is an "introductory" text, so - because most students are exposed to the discipline for the first time - I think that this textbook provides a good foundation to the major concepts, theories and methods of the discipline. Should students choose to move forward and take more sociology courses, I think this book provides a good springboard from which to launch into the next sociology course.

In Chapter 1, the textbook features a photo of Kenneth and Mamie Clarke and credits them as "sociologists." In all the research I've read on the Clarke and their doll study, I've only ever seen them described as "psychologists." A quick Google search reveals that they both held doctorates in psychology. Kenneth Clarke was the first African American president of the American Psychological Association. While this may seem slight, there is a section later on in the book comparing psychology and sociology, so it is worth attributing the correct professional and disciplinary association to researchers, when their work is used to illustrate a concept.

I agree that the content appears up to date and relevant. The concepts will remain unchanged, so the examples could be easily updated, because most are set apart in grey, text boxes. This should be a simple fix to change out the content as needed.

The writing is clear and accessible. Students unfamiliar with sociological or social scientific writing should not be overwhelmed by this textbook. The examples are relevant and clear, and help to illustrate the theories and concepts.

The text is consistent in its terminology and framework. I also like that the theoretical perspectives show up each chapter, demonstrating how to analyze the topic's through the major theoretical lenses.

The text is easily and readily divisible into smaller reading sections, which should keep students engaged with assigned readings. It only takes a few "clicks" to complete a chapter.

The topics are presented in a logical, clear fashion. It starts with the "sociological toolkit" which consists of theories and research methods. From there, it builds like most introductory texts: culture, society and social interaction, socialization, groups, deviance, social inequality (economic, global, U.S., race, gender and age) and social institutions.

I was able to engage with the online text without issue or error. I neither experienced navigation problems nor distortion of the images. The interface feels intuitive, and wasn't confusing or troublesome to navigate.

I didn't see major grammatical errors.

I was impressed that the section on the history of sociology begins before Auguste Comte and 18th century Europe (where most textbooks begin). I've only read one other source that credits a Chinese historian (13th C) and Tunisian sociologist (14th C) with making early connections between social dynamics and human behavior. I think that the inclusion of their contributions is crucial to dismantling the Eurocentric model of knowledge and knowledge production (i.e. that science and knowledge is only credible if produced by Western European men).

I like this book. It is clear and concise and meets the learning goals for my institution. For the discipline of sociology, it covers relevant and appropriate topics. The faculty member can then build in more detail as it suits their instructional need.

Reviewed by Tiffanye Sledge, Associate Professor, Tidewater Community College on 6/20/17

This is a very comprehensive textbook, yet, with pretty succinct chapters. The book is on par with other textbooks that we have used that are very costly and there did not appear to be any missing concepts. There were no errors aside from the... read more

The glossary and index are effective. I noted that there is also a wide range of research from the older classical research that MUST be included in any sociology text, to more recent studies that provide more updated perspectives. This is important because so many question the relevance of open source ware, but this substantiates the contention that OER is sustainable at least in the short term.

There is an error regarding the Clarkes on page 19 of the text. This is a landmark research endeavor that we USE in sociology, but the Clarkes are Psychologists.

Aside from this error, the books seems to be accurate and also has some very robust examples, particularly with regard to application of the classical theoretical perspectives to various social issues.

I noted that there is also a wide range of research from the older classical research that MUST be included in any sociology text, to more recent studies that provide more updated perspectives. This is important because so many question the relevance of open source ware, but this substantiates the contention that OER is sustainable at least in the short term.

This book is EXTREMELY easy to read! It is written in a manner that allows any student to quickly understand concepts, but is not that are presented. I am not sure, but I also think that it may be way to use a screen reader for students that require accessibility.

Yes... the Making Connections sections and the quizzes at the end of each chapter helps with readability by setting the reader's expectation up for reading and absorbing the content, and then reviewing the concepts in context and then applying and assessing understanding.

The modularity of the book is acceptable. There was never too much unbroken text without subheadings, and in some instances, there were too many subheadings, but this only occurred 2-3 times that I recall.

This is actually a very well organized text. There is not much to say here, as it is very similar to most other introductory sociology textbooks

The book can be viewed online as well as downloaded as a PDF. Given that it is completely open, the interface is fine. It would be helpful, as an aside, for students to be able to access the book more readily within the LMS in its online interface instead of a PDF.

There were no grammatical errors.

The books is very culturally relative and this SHOULD be the case with a sociology text. The examples are also very relevant to current social phenomena. There is still room for the instructor to include even more recent information as well.

I am thankful that my students have free access to a QUALITY resource.

Reviewed by Sarah Ovink, Associate Professor of Sociology, Virginia Tech on 6/20/17

This is a comprehensive introductory sociology textbook. Its 21 chapters cover a vast array of topics of interest to sociologists, and include some that are often left out of other texts I have used, such as Global Inequality. The variety of topics should make it possible for instructors to tailor an introductory class toward their areas of expertise. An index is included, and a list of key terms is included at the end of each chapter. The index is missing some terms that students might look for, such as feminism/feminist theory and rational choice theory.

The text’s content is highly accurate overall. I did note some errors and instances of imprecise language, that a conscientious instructor will want to watch out for and correct. For example, Table 1.1, which appears on page 8, is titled “SNAP Use by State,” but the table included here shows something else: SNAP eligibility. As another example, Figure 4.6, representing Marx’s ideas of “base” and “superstructure,” which appears on p. 81, is overly simplified and could use more discussion. On page 236, the theory of intersectionality (presented as “intersection theory”) is attributed to Patricia Hill Collins, when it was actually coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw (and later gained prominence through Collins’ works published in the 1990s). At times, statements are made that that either praise or criticize aspects of society, which might be more properly classified as opinions. For example, on page 193, the author(s) state, “...we are fortunate that the poverty experienced here [in the U.S.] is most often relative poverty and not absolute poverty.” This could give students the impression that the author(s)’ conclusion that poverty in the U.S. is less serious than that experienced in other countries is a consensus broadly shared by sociologists, when in fact the levels and severity of poverty in the U.S. is a hotly contested topic. Of course, no textbook is error-free--instructors should always thoroughly preview any text to identify errors and take steps in class discussions to correct any misstatements or mistakes found in textbooks.

The text includes commentary on recent national and world events, such as gender politics in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, and the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in 2013 in Bangladesh. This content will help make concepts relevant for students, and examples are arranged in such a way that updates will be feasible as new editions are written. The text stops short of offering content that is too close to the cutting edge--such as incorporating contemporary slang or relying on links to online materials that may quickly expire.

This textbook is easy to read, with a fluid, friendly tone that avoids being overly wordy. The book’s many examples and “Making Connections” features keep the text from becoming too dry or inaccessible. Because the entire textbook is just short of 500 pages, each chapter is rather brief, and some sections could use more description or examples. Key terms are presented in bold, and a list of key terms, with definitions, is provided at the end of each chapter. A suggestion for the future would be to also provide a brief definition in the margin of the page next to the paragraph where each key term first appears, as an aid to students who study by skimming through the chapter a second time.

Sociology 2e is internally consistent. I appreciate that some terms and theories, such as conflict theory, appear multiple times throughout the book. This gives the student a chance to understand how a sociology theory can be used in multiple ways, and is applicable in multiple contexts. For example, feminist theory appears not only in the chapter Gender, Sex and Sexuality, but also Media and Technology, among others.

Given the consistency of the text, this book is highly modular. Chapters could be assigned independently of one another, and chapters could be skipped without disrupting the reader’s experience. Most introductory sociology instructors will not be able to cover all 21 chapters in a 15-week semester, so the ready modularity of this text is a positive feature.

Some sociologists may disagree with the choice to organize many of the main strands of theory in the discipline under three umbrella-like paradigms: Structural Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism. This organizational structure works for the most part, though some more recent theories, such as postmodern theory and contemporary theories of structure, would struggle to fit. Overall, however, the text is logical and topics are presented clearly and simply.

I did not detect any serious navigation problems in the text. However, some figures are fuzzy or pixelated (cf. Figures 7.9 and 8/1), suggesting that the images used are of low quality and did not transfer well to the texbook. The included photos are mostly of good quality, and I commend the authors for finding so many copyright-free images to include that do a good job of providing examples and context for the text.

I found no grammatical errors in the text.

The textbook does a good job of using inclusive examples and including pictures depicting people embodying a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds, ages, and walks of life. The book shines a critical lens on many topics--for example, pointing out how felony disenfranchisement disproportionately affects black citizens, and including “Making Connections” sections that highlight LGTBQ individuals and their families.

This is a solid introductory sociology textbook, and provides a great option for instructors who wish to relieve their students of the financial burden of buying an expensive text. There are other introductory sociology texts that have more entertaining content and more online features, but this text will provide a solid foundation at a more than reasonable price.

Reviewed by Asha Lal Tamang, Adjunct Professor, North Hennepin Community College on 4/11/17

The textbook is comprehensive covering all the ‘traditional topics’ typically covered in a general Introduction to Sociology course. I would prefer to see addition of two topics: 1) Role of the United Nations in societal change and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and 2) Terrorism, war and people’s security. Also, the following points could be worthy for adjustments: - The textbook has done justice emphasizing the three main theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interaction). However, to address the contemporary developments, it may familiarize more contemporary theories e.g. complex adaptive systems theory and feminist theory. - Regarding sociological research, elaboration of practical vs scientific knowledge may be more helpful. In addition, it is important to include indigenous research methodology. - Under social control and deviance, a section on positive deviance could be more fruitful.

Included information is accurate that directs readers to references and further research to find further information. The textbook is unbiased in written material and presents topics, including religion and politics, from a neutral position.

The textbook includes relevant examples related to emerging social agenda e.g. same-sex marriage and new immigrants.

The textbook is easy to read. It avoids unnecessary jargon and explains technical language maintaining the college-level reading.

The text is consistent throughout the chapters. Emphasis on key words including a glossary after each chapter is helpful.

Modularity rating: 2

The textbook can be made more practical by diving the chapters under 12 to 14 parts while accommodating reviewers’ suggestions that would help instructors and students to match with a semester long course e.g. one of the parts could be ‘diversity, inequality and inclusion.’

The textbook is well organized in general. As suggested above, it can be made more practical considering a semester long course.

The textbook’s interface is well maintained. The iBook version provides easy navigation and the pdf version is searchable using a find option. And, a new initiation to make the book mobile friendly could be beneficial!

I did not find significant grammatical errors during my review. It is important to remember that language and styles are always evolving.

The textbook includes diversity of examples regarding cultural relevance. It needs to highlight the existence of hidden cultures and an importance to address the issue of cultural subjectivity.

I am so happy to find this open textbook and was able to adopt as the required text in my last semester class. However, a few students went to ask the Dean of the college that the printed copies were not available locally. Hence, to make the textbook acceptable and accessible, OpenStax may network with the libraries at colleges.

Reviewed by Aida Ramos , Assistant Professor , George Fox University on 2/8/17

The text covers a wider range of topics in sociology, probably more than one can cover in one semester. I found it's comprehensiveness to be satisfactory with more than enough information. The only critique in this area would be regarding the chapter on religion, which I had to supplement with additional information about religiosity, it's measurement, and demography of denominational differences in the U.S. These was no way I could fit every single chapter in the semester, so be prepared to pick and choose.

The book's information is error-free and and accurate. Some definitions are slightly different from other texts, but overall reliable and easy for students to grasp.

I was impressed with how relevant and up to date the book's examples were. In each chapter, relevant social issues were used as guiding examples of the chapter's content (i.e., Black lives matter movement, same-sex marriage laws, etc.). I can see how these might become dated at some point, but definitely not in a short period of time. It also seems that the way the text is written makes it easy to update examples as needed.

The text avoids unnecessary jargon and complexity, while still maintaining college-level reading level. When technical language is used, it is explained within the context of clear examples. The reading is accessible and engaging.

The book's organization (introduction with vivid example, major concepts, then analyzing topics with each of the main sociological frameworks, e.g., conflict, symbolic interaction, and functionalist) is consistent throughout the book and for each chapter. I found this format made it easy to prep for class and assists in a deeper understanding of each of the important frameworks.

Each chapter is divided into several smaller subsections related to the format described above. Each subsection is logical and places key terms in their relative context and can be easily connected with the glossary in the back of each chapter.

The book's organization begins with general sociological topics (i.e., prominent theories, socialization, stratification, etc.). These tend to be the most difficult for students to grasp, however, tangible examples help ease the ambiguity for students. The subsequent chapters use the concepts given in these first chapters as tools to study the rest of the social world divided by respective important areas in the discipline (i.e., a chapter on education, health, race/ethnicity, etc.). The organization of the text ensures that students get the essential building blocks before dividing into studying everyday social institutions.

I used both the digital PDF copy and the iBook version. The iBook version makes for fast and easy navigation. Chapters are just two clicks away from an interactive menu and students can click on the terms featured in chapters and be taken to the glossary instantly. I did find some differences in examples used between the PDF version and iBook version (particularly in chapter 1) for the "Making Connection - Sociology in the Real World." This can be problematic if the instructor expects students to know these. Some of my students ordered the hard copy, but I did not get an opportunity to review it.

There were no problems with the book's grammar.

I was very pleased with the diversity of examples used in this textbook. It was able to accomplish this without being biased or dogmatic.

Reviewed by Beverly Logan, Adjunct Instructor, Mt. Hood Community College on 12/5/16

Each chapter section has an extensive glossary. Occasionally, key terms are not included nor bolded in the text. It would be helpful to have a separate, clickable comprehensive glossary for each chapter, and ideally for the book, which one can click on to search for a term, rather than needing to search chapter section by chapter section. If I've missed this, then I'll say it could be made more readily viewable.

This book has a strong level of accuracy, at least for the chapters I am most familiar with from my use in Soc 204, Chs 1-11.

This book has a lot of currency and discusses recent events. There are examples that could be heavier on the basic concepts they connect, within the discussion of a particular case. But it has a good balance of relevance and longevity.

This is a strength as well as a weakness in the text. The language is technically very clear and accurate, but sometimes to a fault. For example, there are definitions that are so laden with academic-speak that they can be meaningless, at least to my community college students (some were difficult for me to make sense at first exposure, in spite of my familiarity). Others are so brief and colloquial that they are also unhelpful in distinguishing the term. These are the exceptions that could be improved, and in those cases, I supplement in class with better definitions. Most definitions in the book are well constructed. The prose itself is very accessible on the whole.

The text is consistent.

The book's modularity is a strength.

At first I was a bit jarred by this book's organizational structure for the chapters I use in Soc 204, which varies from previous textbooks (notably on placement of the discussion of sociocultural evolution, as well as other concepts in chapter 4). On further thought, I see the rational for it.

I've had no problems at all with the Interface.

For the chapters I use, 1-11, I've noticed no grammatical errors (an improvement over other textbooks).

The book is inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities and backgrounds. I think there are some that could be replaced with more examples more relevant to community college students (looking at you, Parrotheads discussion). I also think that at times it uses examples that are of limited impact when more obviously relevant issues, ongoing in the last few years, would have been more meaningful and historically enduring (re longevity).

It's a solid and relevant textbook. My main criticisms would only be around fine tuning. I'm happy this resource is available practically cost-free for my students and I appreciate the instructor resources and hope they will be expanded over time.

Reviewed by Jerry Loveless, Sociology Instructor, Portland Community College on 12/5/16

The text overall does a great job covering the relevant content for an introductory course and provides a detailed glossary for key terms at the end of each chapter, while also including a comprehensive index in the back of the book. read more

The content is accurate, yet not always in an unbiased way (e.g. framing Structural-Functionalism as an outdated, and potentially unuseful, paradigm in Chapter 1).

The text offers both classic and modern examples for illustrating the concepts, which can be helpful for students of all ages to connect with the content.

The textbook is written in a very accessible way, overall the authors do a great job explaining the concepts and illustrating them with relevant examples. Some of the figures could use further explanation (e.g. Table 1.1).

The text is very consistent, especially with regards to formatting and chapter layout—very user friendly!

The sections, formatting and sub-headings are organized in a consistent and logical fashion overall.

The topics are presented in a consistent and logical fashion, while the writing style is clear and easy to follow. See my comment regarding the structure of Chapter 1 at the end.

As discussed above, some of the figures could use more explanation and examples but all images within the text are free of any distortions and showed up on my Nook reader well (even though I downloaded the 10MB version of the text).

I found no grammatical errors in my reading of the text.

As with most Sociology textbooks, all topics are presented in an inclusive fashion with no culturally insensitive language or framing.

I feel the text could do a better job discussing the 3 foundational theorists along with the 3 main paradigms in Chapter 1. I would save the discussion, concepts and pictures of Marx, Durkheim and Weber for the section that discusses the 3 main paradigms (where you can connect each foundational figure and their concepts with the appropriate paradigm). I thought the other chapters, and especially the research methods chapter, did a great job with organizing and discussing the content—I just feel the first chapter could use some additional restructuring to engage the students from the very onset of the course.

Reviewed by Amy Ernstes, Lecturer, Sociology Department, University of North Carolina at Greensboro on 12/5/16

I would rate this text as comprehensive. While i might re-arrange the order of the material, in some cases/chapters, overall i find the book as including the main tenants of sociology as needed in an introductory course. (As a minor note, i personally appreciate the inclusion of media and technology as a chapter’s focus, as this is lacking in the book i currently use.) With 21 chapters, and my tendency to cover one chapter a week in class, i would, however, perhaps only use 15-16 of the chapters in class.

Based on my review, i would say that the textbook is accurate. I did not run across any examples of errors or information that i felt was biased.

I would say that the text uses many socially relevant/current examples. The “Making Connections” boxes were particularly helpful in providing these examples to help students think about/apply sociological concepts to such examples. In my experience, in an intro class, brining in example related to pop culture can additionally help to engage many of the students in the classroom (in helping them think through the sociological relevance of things they are already paying attention to) - so i could perhaps see some slight room for improvement here, but, overall, the text provides relevant content that i believe could be easily updated.

I would give the text high markings for clarity. I could see the chapter reviews at the end being extremely helpful for students in terms of gaining a clear understanding of the material and terms.

I would give the text high marks for consistency. I did not notice any examples of inconsistency. As just one example, the text seemed to make a point of utilizing theory throughout, and applying the different theoretical perspectives discussed through the different chapter’s topics.

I appreciated the use of the “Making Connections” boxes in this regard. They helped breaking up long pieces of text (in addition to providing interesting examples). As mentioned previously, given the structure of my Intro class and the weeks in the semester, i would likely not utilize every chapter in this book for my class - however, i believe it would be easy to select 15-16 chapters from the 21 to use, and that using such a selection would not yield any problems in terms of flow.

Overall, i believe the topics are presented in a logical, clear fashion. There are a few pieces which, as a matter of opinion, i would perhaps have changed - for example, i like to include a discussion of society alongside culture, as a means to talk about and differentiate between these two terms. I did not care for this book’s inclusion of society within social interaction. I personally believe that the topic of social interaction is enough for an entire chapter on its own. I also structure my class with a review of socialization first, and then social interaction. This could probably be re-worked with this text, in terms of just assigning readings out of the order provided (although, with society lumped in with social interaction, this might cause some challenge). Yet, these are mostly a matter of personal preference - the text still did a nice job in presenting flow in the order it utilized (i just would approach it slightly differently in this particular case with some of the earlier chapters).

There seemed to be some large blank spots on some of the pages. Not a huge deal, but a slight annoyance. Other than that, the interface seemed fine. I am a bit biased as i am still a fan of hard copy texts over online texts, but, for the format it uses, i think the interface was alright.

I did not notice any grammatical errors.

I think, overall, the text did a reasonable job with this - - including coverage with pictures, examples, etc. - - although perhaps slight room for improvement. For example, i found myself paying attention to how many pictures included just white people as opposed to other groups, and felt there was some room for improvement re: diversity in visual representations. Overall though, i think decent effort made.

One of my favorite things about the textbook was the chapter review information. I think this could be very helpful for students in terms of reviewing the material.

Reviewed by Ariane Cox, Lecturer, University of North Carolina at Greensboro on 12/5/16

This book covers the expected chapters and key terms for an Intro textbook. read more

This book covers the expected chapters and key terms for an Intro textbook.

This book adequately represents the information found in most Intro textbooks. However, the clarity of the content is uneven. I find the description of Ritualism (Strain theory) problematic and thus, hard to differentiate from innovation. The definition of deviance is more elaborate than needed.

The text includes recent statistics and contemporary examples

The clarity of ideas is uneven. For example, the explanation of the difference between belief and value is confusing. The discussion of social control makes it difficult for students to differentiate between social control and social norms even though the definitions are clear.

The book's application of the theoretical perspectives is consistent.

This book is organized well

I think the organization of this book works well.

I have never experienced a problem or had students complain.

I have found no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

The distinction between transgender and transsexual is unnecessary and disrespectful of the trans community's wishes.

Overall this is a good book to use if you are an experienced educator. I would have struggled with creating comprehensive lectures in my first few semesters using this book. I would recommend newer lecturers to use a traditional Intro book in the beginning. However, now that I have a good foundation, this book is adequate. Students really appreciate the free textbook. The test bank is poor. Many questions are confusing and there is not enough varying levels (knowledge vs. comprehension vs. application).

Reviewed by Aimee Krouskop, Instructor of Sociology, Portland Community College on 8/21/16

The comprehensiveness of this text is where I find there is room for most improvement. While I can appreciate length-constraints, there are a considerable number of topics i feel could use more explanation in order to make the concepts accessible to introductory students. I use this textbook as a 'skeleton' resource for my students (for this it serves very well), and supplement with additional general material.

I have found no inaccuracies within this text.

As 'pull-out' illustrations of ideas are included in this text to supplement learning, these appear to be easy to replace as updates are needed.

I find the language and readability generally accessible for my students at community college. There are some concepts that (as I referred to regarding comprehensiveness) I feel could be embellished in order to convey more abstract ideas.

This textbook offers a consistent read and framework for learners.

Thus far, I use specific chapters of this text as a packet and find no struggle in modulating for my lessons.

The organization, structure and flow follow an intuitive and understandable format.

I find no difficulties with this book's interface.

I find no grammatical errors in this text.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

Considering the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and gender found on campuses today, and that resides in our global society, there is ample room for this textbook to include a broader array of races, ethnicities and backgrounds as it illustrates concepts with current and historical events and phenomenon.

Reviewed by Kaitlin Yanchar, Adjunct Faculty, Social Sciences, Klamath Community College on 8/21/16

Introduction to Sociology covers topics that are sometimes only mentioned in other texts. The authors did an excellent job of including the most important topics of Sociology, including socialization, groups, gender, race, and forms of governance. read more

After carefully reading multiple sections of the textbook, I am confident that the authors made the effort to provide accurate information. I'm impressed that each section includes a references list. This lends a huge amount of credibility to the text and enables instructors and students to go back these sources for more information.

The main text of each section is broad enough that it has strong longevity. Insets of what I like to call "case studies" provide more timely examples that could easily be switched out in the digital versions of the book. As a print version, these examples could run into the problem of becoming out of date, but that would be the case with any hard copy of a textbook.

The style of writing used in this text is mostly clear, and special vocabulary is properly defined. However, I don't find the prose as accessible to community college students as it could be. I will say, though, that quality lectures could easily make up the difference.

In terms of consistency, those who designed this textbook did an excellent job. Each chapter has a strong introduction that creates a framework for discussing specific topics that appear after. Every section has high quality pictures that effectively illustrate ideas, sections are clearly labeled, there is a summary, self-quiz questions, an invitation to do further research, and references. There is a clear pattern that both instructors and students can follow in a natural way.

My favorite thing about this textbook is its modularity. I felt overwhelmed at first when I saw that there were 21 chapters, but it would be extremely easy to break them up to fit a variety of term time frames and even how many days the class meets each week. Because each chapter has its own introductory section, it is easy to jump around without worrying that one chapter must come before another. Really impressed by this because it is not easy to do.

Creating a flow to a Sociology text can be difficult because there are some essential theoretical concepts that must be understood before you can start looking at the multitude of specific topics/concerns addressed by the discipline. At the same time, some of these ideas are abstract enough that the best way to get them across is to give examples. This text follows the most common approach, which involves laying out the theory first and then using those ideas to explore other topics. I personally prefer this approach, as opposed to textbooks that start with a problem and then bring in theory to provide the solution. Also on the topic of organization and structure, having a table of contents in the online version of the text is really helpful. For someone reading a print version, I don't think the text would seem as organized.

I did not encounter any interface issues. Every time I used the table of contents, I was taken to the correct location in the text. I browsed at least half of the text, and I did not encounter images or charts that were distorted. Also, all of the text appeared where it is supposed to. There was no floating text, bulleted lists that didn't line up, awkwardly large or small text, or any other HTML-related errors.

I did not encounter any grammatical errors, although the text does tend to have fairly long sentences. Breaking up sentences may improve clarity and make the book more accessible to community college students.

Some Sociology texts struggle with cultural sensitivity, but I did not encounter that problem with this text. My background is in Anthropology, and I have to say I was impressed by the way people of other cultures and ethnicities were discussed. The authors also took the time to include examples from a variety of time periods, regions, and cultures. The textbook acknowledges that American culture is influenced by people from many different places, and presents this information in an unbiased way.

I consider this textbook high quality and am seriously considering using it for my introductory Sociology class. The online interface is well-executed and adds value to the text. Being able to pick and choose modules very easily also makes this text very appealing, especially for newer instructors who aren't sure where to start. Finally, having access to tools to help build a course syllabus and powerpoint slides makes adoption of this textbook almost a no-brainer.

Reviewed by Jessica Breidinger, Social Science Faculty, Treasure Valley Community College, Ontario, OR on 8/21/16

This textbook seems to provide an excellent introduction to the basic theories and ideas in Sociology however, for those of us who teach a series of General Sociology courses over three terms, essentially dividing the text into thirds, additional... read more

The content appears to be very unbiased and straightforward. I did not spot any accuracy problems or errors in skimming through multiple chapters.

The data used in the tables are based on very relevant basic social concepts that are unlikely to change any time soon. The making connections sections relate important concepts regarding current social policy.

The text is very accessible to the undergraduate student. The concepts and key terms are clearly identified and the section summaries reinforce the learning objectives of each chapter.

I appreciate the format of the text, with the learning objectives for each chapter followed by the introduction and chapter sections clearly defined and numbered. The consistency of the framework would make it easy to locate information during lecture and classroom activities for the instructor and provides a logical format for students as they explore the content within the chapters.

I believe the textbook provides excellent modularity. For instance, for a struggling learner it would be easy to chunk the information into manageable components. I find many of my students are not interested in reading long blocks of text and would much rather see information arranged in smaller bytes.

The presentation of the materials in the text follows a very clear and logical order. Although it would be easy to re-arrange chapter presentation, I appreciate that the research chapter follows the introductory chapter. While I am concerned with the fact that a full year course would be difficult to build with this content alone, it is refreshing to see a text that limits the chapter content to approximately three to five major concepts.

I did not find any issues with the book's interface, as a former disability services coordinator I was pleased with the Design For All elements included in the text and it's barrier free design.

I did not find any problems or concerns with grammar in the chapters I read.

I did not find any offensive content and I felt that the examples provided in the Making Connections sections were culturally diverse and relevant to today's social issues, but not necessarily presented as "hot-button topics". In fact, I found some of the detail regarding social problems to be less edgy and controversial than other sociology textbooks.

Overall, I like the text. I would consider adopting it for my courses but I would need to spend a fair amount of time redesigning my course series to make sure I could utilize the text for the full three terms. I am pleased to know there is a way to lower the textbook expenses for my students without compromising quality.

Reviewed by Susan Stalewski, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Milwauee on 8/21/16

This text is used for foundation content in a health sciences diversity course. The coverage of culture, health, medicine, aging, disability, specific ethnic groups is appropriate and presented in a thoughtful and engaging manner that encourages... read more

Information is presented in a manner that encourages the learner to critically evaluate current issues from a sociological lense and to analyze multiple perspectives.

The content and additional resources present timely issues, conflicts and opportunities to critically evaluate major issues in society. The topics chosen to represent current issues are fairly long-standing and persistent concerns. This edition is designed to be relevant and useful for some time.

Topics are clearly presented at an appropriate level for the entry level student.

Each chapter/module is presented in a consistent manner. Learners are able to develop a pattern in reviewing the important concepts in each section, making the most of self-testing and additional resources.

Since this text is to be used as a foundation for a cultural diversity course, the ability to choose and use selected modules is important. Each module can be used independently, however, reference to theory and consistent organization help the student to maintain focus through the entire book

Flow and organization support learning, allow the student to reinforce theory and themes, foster critical thinking and analysis.

Everything works as intended. The ability to easily move through chapters and topics is a useful feature of the digital edition.

I did not identify grammatical errors

Sensitive topics are presented in a manner that encourages the student to consider opposing perspectives and develop skill in holding and analyzing opposing positions. The student is encouraged to understand the superficial presentation of many sociological problems and to dig deeper for greater understanding

I would not have adopted a basic sociology textbook for this particular course if an open text was not available. This text will be a useful and thoughtful resource for my health sciences course

Reviewed by Andrew Butz, Instructor, Portland Community College, Sylvania on 1/7/16

The book's comprehensiveness is average, or just above average. However, Chapter 21 needs: 'political process' or 'political opportunity theory' (and less detail on framing theory) of S.M.'s; and it should also have *theories* of social change, as well as 'war/geopolitics/terrorism' as quasi-institutional sources of social change. Chapter 20 should address biodiversity, forests, & oceans, AND the scientific consensus on climate change! Ch. 16 should include 'teacher expectancy effect' & self-fulfilling prophecy within S-I theory. Ch. 15 needs to define/explain fundamentalism. In Ch. 12, the Functionalism theory should include Parsons' concepts of sex-based division of labor (into 'instrumental' & 'expressive' roles). Ch. 9 - 10: Theory section needs reference to World-systems theory; and the Global Wealth & Poverty section needs data tables. Ch. 9 needs to use more than just 3 class levels (beyond upper/middle/ lower) -- and more detailed income & wealth data. Ch. 8 needs Ogburn's tech processes & cultural lag, as well as Habermas' public sphere, & Castells' networks. Chapter 7 needs Durkheim's 'anomie' concept.

The accuracy is average, although it is slightly below average in some parts. For example, the Ch. 1 definitions of: 'sociology' & 'culture' are a bit broad or over-general -- and 'sociological imagination' is too centered on 'the past & history'. In Ch. 3, 'culture's' definition needs 'artifacts' along with 'beliefs/behaviors'; and the statement "folkways are norms without any moral underpinnings" is not fully accurate. Folkways are norms that *may* lack moral underpinning -- or where it is less significantly tied to morality than other norms. In Ch. 4, "3000 BCE" is far too recent a date for the Agricultural Revolution (it's much older) -- as the Neolithic or Agricultural Revolution began emerging in various locations between 8,000 and 5,000 BCE (and Ch. 18 gets this date correct). Likewise, dates shown for pastoral & horticultural societies are too recent. Also, civilized/agric. society needs more detail, including its establishment of private property, governments & other institutions. 'Feudal societies' were *not* just in 9th-C. Europe, & they should be seen as an extension of agricultural society. A 'status' should be clarified as being a social position in society, with a role and *sometimes* a rank (but not always, e.g. 'parent', 'sibling'). Ch. 6 Formal Organizations: bureaucracy features should include 'written records'. AND it needs bureaucracy 'dysfunctions', e.g. groupthink, ritualism, alienation. In Ch. 7, a 'class system' and a 'meritocracy' should not be depicted as separate systems; rather, a meritocracy is one major feature of a class system. While Ch. 11 provides excellent definitions of Racial, Ethnic, and Minority Groups, the functionalist theory is presented too simplistically (should note functions of 'group closure & of segregation). Cinco de Mayo/May 5th is NOT Mexican independence day. [p.240]; the Indian Removal Act of 1830, NOT 1930 [p.242]; and "by 1769 [NOT 1869], the slave trade was internal in the [future] U.S." [p.243]. 'Hispanics' should also be described as 'Latino'. and the Irish Potato Famine of 1845, NOT 1945 [p.249]. In Ch. 13, exchange theory should be NOT be included under the Conflict theory heading. The Ch. 14 opening vignette repeats the misconception that "1/2 of marriages" fail. Ch. 16 'Educ Around the World' section relies too heavily on one non-academic source (NPR) -- so it obscures the top factor for low U.S. scores: higher poverty rates in combination with a less selective/more universal pool of student test-takers. The Policy section, especially on the failed NCLB, needs references (e.g. Diane Ravitch). In Ch. 17, the crucial topics of: 'interest groups', lobbying, & 'pluralism' (functionalism) are nearly absent. And the power-elite (conflict) theory of power should discuss MILLS at least as much as Domhoff. In Ch. 18, 'Capitalism in Practice' should explain 'mixed economies' &/or 'welfare-state capitalism'; and as always, 'socialism in practice' should be distinguished from 'communism' as theory. Failing to do this leads to mischaracterizing thinkers like Proudhon, who was less a socialist like Marx, & more an 'anarchist-communist'. In Ch. 20, Demogr/Pop section should note the year, 2011, when pop. passed 7 billion, and 'human ecology' should be called 'urban ecology'. In Ch. 21, it should be called the 'anti-corporate' or 'global justice' movement, NOT the 'anti-globalization movement' -- which was the label foisted on it by some mainstream media reports. And it is rarely seen as a movement to 'resist change' (such as the Tea Party) -- but rather as a movement versus the status quo of corporate agendas & influence. In Figure 21.4, Agents of social control do not necessarily "bring collective behavior to an end."-> Social control agents can just as well re-direct, as disrupt. Finally, the individual self-improvement movements are labeled ALTERATIVE (no N), not alternative, movements.

It's relatively up-to-date and relevant. Ch. 9 needs more current (& detailed) income & wealth data. In Ch. 7, 'Social Disorganization Theory', & 'Cultural Deviance Theory' are no longer widely studied and have largely been supplanted by Control Theories & Differential Association Theory. Chpt. 7 also needs more data references & updates especially for corporate crime. Ch. 3 is very strong on ethnomethodology & on 'hipsters' -- and on cultural change. The Ch. 2 Jimmy Buffett example seems very dated. And the Ch. 1 data, such as on home foreclosures, has become a bit outdated.

It's quite clear. However, the Ch. 1 table on SNAP/food stamps is a bit unclear. And the 'figuration' concept is an unconventional & perhaps challenging idea with which to begin the Introduction. In Ch. 2, 'objectivity' needs to be qualified (its limits & the role of values) early in the chapter. The Ch. 4 'society' forms should be rooted in the concept of 'social structure', & 'institutions' need to be more explicitly defined. In Ch. 5, Cooley (L-G Self) & Mead's ideas (esp. of the 'game stage' following 'play stage' & the typical age of children in these stages) need more explanation. In Ch. 8, the world-systems terms (core, periphery...) need explanation.

Mostly excellent. However, some chapters (e.g. Ch. 2 & 7) need more research literature references. And some key concepts are lacking a bold typeface (such as 'institutional discrimination' in Ch. 11).

Generally very good. However, its narrative flow is a bit clunky or awkward in places, including parts of the Ch. 1/Intro -- and in Ch. 2 the Disney vignette & Scientific Method descriptions are too lengthy/wordy. In Ch. 9, the brief global strat information should much more clearly & explicitly direct readers to the next chapter/Ch.10. In Ch. 12, the 3 paradigms should be presented just once, as applied to both gender AND sex. Finally, concluding Chapter 21 with 'modernization' is appropriate -- BUT it should be emphasized as both a master trend of change as well as a contested concept (especially for traditionalist & fundamentalist movements).

It's relatively free of interface issues. However, some of the charts/graphics image resolution is below-average quality.

It's quite good. However, in Ch. 11, p.232: 'caucasus' is misspelled as 'caucus'.

It's generally good, e.g. the Ch. 14 focus on corporal punishment. However, the Ch. 1 Intro feels a bit generic & could have more specificity to make it more vivid & engaging. And about the Individ-Society Connections inset (on LGBT): The way it is framed might overly gear it to a narrow/minority reader? In Ch. 7, more detailed crime demographics are needed! The Ch. 11 opening vignette should be much more compelling, vis-a-vis the recently explicit & extreme examples of law enforcement discrim/prej.

This is very good quality for a multi-author, open source textbook.

Reviewed by Karen Lewis, Assistant Professor, Dickinson State University on 1/7/16

The Introduction to Sociology text is comprehensive covering all the topics typically covered in a general Introduction to Sociology course. The text is brief and only covers the three main theoretical perspectives so Feminist theory, Rational... read more

The information is accurate and well researched. References and Further research provides students with additional sources to find information. The text is unbiased in written material and presents topics from a neutral position.

The content is up to date and edits to include updated statistics would be easy to incorporate in the future. The fundamental concepts are presented.

The book is straightforward and easy to read. Having a glossary at the end of each chapter will help students understand the key terms. The references and suggestions for further research will also assist students in gathering more information on each chapter.

The text formation is consistent throughout the chapters. Key words are in bold to find faster and a glossary after each chapter. Each term is defined in context within the text and then listed at the end of the chapter.

I think the text has good modularity that can cater to the topics instructors want to focus on. Instructors would not have difficulty changing the chapter to focus on sub-unit areas such as theory without disorganization or disruptions for the students.

The text is comparable to more other Introduction to Sociology texts out on the market today. It is written in a clear, neutral, and logical order. The topics are listed in a logical progression for student learning with basic chapter and introduction fist and special focus on topics in the later chapters.

I did not see any interface issues or distractions/ distortions of images. The graphics are well integrated into the content and context of the course.

I did not recognize any grammatical errors during my review.

I did not find the text to be culturally insensitive or offensive. It covers racial, ethnic, and religious groups. The book is inclusive of various groups in examples.

I have enjoined reading and review the text. We are planning on adopting the text in the fall of 2016.

Reviewed by Misti Wuori, Adjunct Professor and Director of Extended Learning, Mayville State University on 1/7/16

This textbook is very comprehensive, especially for use in a semester-based (15 week) course. read more

This textbook is very comprehensive, especially for use in a semester-based (15 week) course.

I found the text to be accurate.

The examples provided are mostly relevant. I do not find the example of the Parrotheads to be relevant to today's students, and some of the technology pictures are already outdated. I think the examples involving social media and online, virtual communities and relationships could be updated as that is rapidly changing and some of these examples make the text feel dated in places. This is understandably challenging for any textbook.

I find the writing style, examples, and discussion points are very clearly written and mostly jargon free for an introductory audience. I feel this textbook limits the jargon and explains sociological concepts significantly more clearly than the textbook I have adopted.

I appreciate the application of the sociological perspectives in most chapters and find this consistency good. Even more "real-life" examples illustrating the sociological perspectives with current social issues would be welcome.

The modularity is good, and may help with my concerns with covering all the content in a semester long course. I would use 12 chapters entirely, with smaller sections of 4-5 other chapters. The learning objectives for each chapter are very good.

I would prefer to see more examples of the application of research methods, globalization, global and social change, and demography throughout the textbook because it is difficult to cover all the chapters fully in a semester long course.

The textbook is very easy to read, easy to navigate, and displays nicely on my laptop. I would like to see more hyperlinked content, especially in the references (especially web references) and further research sections as well as on charts and other graphics.

I did not see any obvious grammatical issues.

I would like to see more demographics and examples incorporating American Indians. If American Indians are left out of a particular social equality ranking due to low numbers, this should be clearly stated. I feel the contemporary needs of both rural and urban American Indian populations are underrepresented in this text.

I found the writing style, very easy to understand explanations, and real-life examples make for a very interesting and engaging textbook, especially for first year college students and dual credit students. The "Making Connections" examples given really make the connection between sociology and one's individual actions very clearly, and do a very nice job of explaining what sociology is for an introductory audience. The key terms, section summary, and section quiz at the end of each chapter are very well-written for a first year (100 level) course. I find the section (end of chapter) quiz questions and short answer questions in this resource much more useful than those in my current textbook for preparing students for exams. Good references and further research sections are provided. These end of chapter resources, in addition to the "Making Connections" examples, reflect the key terms and concepts I want my students to learn from each chapter very well. The PDF format of the textbook is much easier to read and use online than I anticipated. I intend to seriously explore adopting this textbook for my online and dual credit Introduction to Sociology courses in 2016-2017. I already supplement my current textbook with a number of hyperlinked articles, websites, discussion forums, and other materials in the LMS. For this reason, I feel the benefits of the open resource materials for students outweigh the need to have the most recent edition of a textbook, especially for an intro-level sociology course.

Reviewed by Angela Addae, Graduate Associate, University of Arizona on 6/10/15

The text is fairly comprehensive for an introductory level course, but it often lacks detail--even for an Intro text. For example, the text excludes discussion on feminist perspectives and it fails to attribute theoretical paradigms to the... read more

Overall, the content is accurate and provides numerous illustrations and citations to support claims.

The text addresses issues that are relevant to a modern context but can also transcend the present day to continually engage students for years to come.

The text is clear, concise, and avoids disciplinary jargon.

Writing and content are consistent throughout the text and has the appearance of a single author.

The text is divided in a manner that makes sense. Instructors can adopt chapters as a whole or choose to focus on relevant sections with ease.

The text flows in a manner that is logical, clear, and easy to follow.

Interface rating: 2

The interface leaves much to be desired. For a digital text, the text does not take advantage of colors, hyperlinks, or interactive features that are not available for print texts.

The text is grammatically correct.

Though book is not culturally offensive, it could be more culturally inclusive, particularly in the examples and illustrations.

Overall, this is book is a solid, economical option for an introductory text. Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. In addition, the quizzes at the end of each section are particularly helpful for reviewing the material.

Reviewed by Kristine Smith, Professor, University of Northwestern - St. Paul on 7/15/14

This textbook provided a comprehensive study of introductory sociology. The engaging graphs, figures and applications extended the mental grasp of the subject matter. The reviews and summaries at the end of the each chapter provided a helpful... read more

The text provided accuracy in learning and research through precise citations, further areas for research and well documented chapter references.

The text definitely provided pertinent and relevant social issues to its research and theory. The longevity of the applications and extensions are exceptional and very engaging.

Yes, this text is clearly and concise written which promotes a high level of understanding while avoiding ambiguity.

Yes, there was an adherence to a consistent format and writing style. The overall consistency in format, tone and writing enhances understanding and trust for the reader.

Yes, the text does an excellent job of skillfully presenting each chapter as a concise learning opportunity, yet within the thematic flow of the entire text.

Overall the text flows with ease, logical and validity.

The text's interface provides a smooth flow and connection for the reader within the different modes of content delivery.

There were no grammatical errors detected within this textbook.

Yes, the textbook is inclusive and comprehensive in its respectful tone and content.

I enjoyed and respected the content and format of this textbook.

Reviewed by Rita Isola, Instructor- Sociology- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Capilano University on 10/9/13

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

I have rated this textbook's overall comprehensiveness a 2/5 (poor). It does not include Feminist Theory as theoretical perspective. At the end of each chapter the authors discuss the topic from the point of view of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology. They include Structural Functionalism (Functionalism), Symbolic Interactionist Theory and Conflict Theory but Feminist Theory has been left out for the most part. There is the occasional mention of the feminist perspective but it is subsumed under Conflict Theory. I would urge the authors to unlink Feminist Theory from Conflict Theory and treat it independently.

I have rated this textbook 3/5 (good). It is accurate, and error-free. My previous comment points out the short thrift that this text gives to Feminist theories in Sociology. This reflects a 'male-streaming' bias which is reflected by my lower score fr this section on Content Accuracy.

I have rated this text 4/5 (very good) in terms of relevance and longevity. The content is up to date and the examples and diagrams will for the most part withstand the test of time. My only query on relevancy is in Chapter 2 (Sociological Research) and the discussion about Jimmy Buffet and his fans known as Parrot Heads. This may be completely irrelevant to most of our first and second year students who may have never heard of Jimmy Buffet and certainly won't have heard of Parrot Heads!

I have rated this text 5/5 (excellent) for its attention to lucid, accessible prose. All of the chapters I have read and reviewed are well written and the authors have a done an excellent job explaining and describing sociological ideas. This is especially evident in Chapter 2- Sociological Research - which in some textbooks is a dry, tedious chapter. In this textbook it is well paced, interesting and makes you want to go out and do research.

I have rated this textbook 5/5 (excellent) for consistency in terms of terminology and framework. The authors have done an excellent job in maintaining the overall consistency between chapters.

I have rated the textbook 5/5 (excellent) for its integrity both as a whole work and one that can be easily divided into stand alone chapters. It avoids being self referential by adhering to an internal framework in which each chapter begins with a general description of the topic, introduction to main concepts and ideas, connections to social issues and public policy and finally ending with a link back to the theoretical perspectives.

I have rated this textbook 5/5 (excellent) for its presentation of ideas in a logical, clear fashion.

I have rated this textbook 5/5 (excellent) in terms of the text's interface. My review of the images, charts and graphs confirm that there is an ease of flow and navigation that the reader will appreciate.

I have rated this textbook 5/5 (excellent) as I did not come upon any grammatical errors in the chapters I reviewed.

I agree that this text is culturally relevant and is not culturally insensitive or offensive. The examples used in the text to illustrate sociological ideas are taken from a wide range of cultural experiences - from the Inuit in the Canadian Arctic to illustrate cultural relativism to same sex marriages in the discussion of the changing definition of the family.

This textbook has many strengths: it is well organized, has a fresh lay-out that is easy to read and offers an excellent summary, section quizzes, references and resources at the end of each chapter. I would be excited to adopt it in my sociology 100 class (Current Issues) except that this textbook is written with an American sociology student in mind. It would not be appropriate for adoption in a Canadian classroom without a lot of changes. The second critique which is a more substantive one that would affect my decision to use this text or not, is the way in which Feminist Theory is incorporated into the text. Below is an outline of the major changes needed for Chapters 1-5,8,10,15,18 and 21 in order to de-Americanize it. I will follow with my comments on the Feminist Theory. . Chapter 1. Page 11,p 2 :The US housing market…replace with a Canadian example p.3-5 : SNAP – Food Stamps..replace Table 1.1 Food Stamps Used by State…replace Page 16 Making Connections: How Do Working Moms Impact Society…change to reflect Canadian stats. Page 22 Why Study Sociology p.1 Elizabeth Eckford…change this example to one that resonates with Canadian events Page 26 Section Quiz: Question #14 (Kenneth and M Clark) change this question.. Chapter 2 Page 51 Section Quiz: Question # 13 b) In 2003 States like Arizona…change Chapter 3 Page 62 Formal Norms p3. "For example money is highly valued in the United States…" change Informal Norms "In the U.S"..change Page 74 Section Quiz: Question #2 "The American Flag"…change question Chapter 4 Culturally neutral no changes needed Chapter 5 Page 107 p 4 "U.S Fathers…" change to discuss Canadian fathers Page 107 Heading: School – "Most American Children spend about 7 hours a day.." Page 108 "For example in the U.S"… Page 109 "Americans", "American Males"…changes needed throughout this section on Agents of socialization Page 110 p2 "In the U.S socialization"… Page 112 p2. "71 Million Americans who lived in prisons… Page 113 references to the United States military… Page 116 Section Quiz: Question #16 Replace Chapter 8 Page 167 Categorizing Technology: US patent office…replace this discussion to reflect Canadian issues Page 168 p1. Radio: "older Americans"..replace (North Americans could work) P2 American TV …replace this discussion Page 172 Include a paragraph or two on the concentration and ownership of media in Canada Page 181 Section Quiz: Question #6 Replace this question Page 183 Short Answer: Replace this question regarding the US government Chapter 10 Page 212 Global Stratification and Classification: replace "American with North American" Chapter 15 Page 339 Learning Objectives 15.3 Religion in the US….change 340 Making Connections: "On the otherhand, the McDonaldization of the United States…" change Pages 348-350 Change to reflect Religion in Canada Appropriate changes need to be made in the section quiz, short answers, references and resources at the end of this chapter. Chapter 18 Page 402 Learning Objectives 18.3 Work in the United States…change Page 402 Capitalism in Practice p2 "In the U.S" change p3 " In the U.S" change Page 411-413 Work in the US needs to be replaced with Work in Canada Appropriate changes need to be made in the section quiz, short answers, references and resources and further research at the end of this chapter. Chapter 21 Page 482-483 Levels of Social Movements: local "Chicago.." change, National "gay rights" change and replace with Canadian examples Page 490 Go to Population "In the US" change Page 493 Section Quiz: Question #1 Change Final Comments Finally, I would like to suggest that before "Canadianizing" or "de-Americanizing" the text a more important project remains- and that is to include the feminist perspective in a serious and thoughtful way. Throughout the text it is either ignored or subsumed under conflict theory. For example in Chapter 18 Work and the Economy, there is no mention of feminist perspectives on this topic and a first year sociology student would leave this chapter with the mistaken idea that no feminist perspective on work and the economy exists. This is an important omission especially in light of the fact that the literature and research on both local and global economies, work and the division of labour is thickly populated with the voices and research of women from many different feminist perspectives. In Chapter 15 on Religion the problem is not omission but oversimplification: On page 341, the authors note that: "The Feminist perspective is a conflict theory view that focuses specifically on gender inequality". This view seriously oversimplifies the many different strands of feminist theory that exist in sociology; Cultural Feminism for example, a Feminist perspective, wholeheartedly rejects many of the assumptions held by the conflict view and focuses on gender differences not gender inequality. Thank you for the opportunity to review this text and I hope that my comments are helpful. This review originated in the BC Open Textbook Collection and is licensed under CC BY-ND.

Reviewed by Charles Quist-Adade, Chair and Faculty, Sociology Dept, Kwantlen Polytechnic University on 10/9/13

Yes. The text does a really good job by capturing a wide range of sociological theories, concepts, and issues in both the content and glossary. read more

Yes. The text does a really good job by capturing a wide range of sociological theories, concepts, and issues in both the content and glossary.

I agree. The text is well-written and scrupulously edited. It adopts an appropriate scholarly and objective tone.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Yes. I am impressed by the text's accessible, flowing and logical language. It should be easy read for first year students, non-sociology students, and laypersons.

Yes, it is. I did not find any inconsistencies.

I agree absolutely.

Yes, The textbook uses appropriate language that is respectful of people of different racial, ethnic and other backgrounds.

The is well researched and written book. The language is accessible and the research and data are up to date. However, it has a huge downside, it is written for American students/audience. Its paucity in Canadian content is a worry. Canadian students will be hugely disadvantaged using this text, as it fails to provide Canadian examples/illustrations. I recommend a revamping of the text to include Canadian content and context, in order to make it relevant to the Canadian reader. This review originated in the BC Open Textbook Collection and is licensed under CC BY-ND.

Reviewed by Neil Guppy, Professor, University of British Columbia on 10/9/13

Yes, see attached comments read more

Yes, see attached comments

Some errors exist. See attached document

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

Test is far too US-centric, see attached document

Well written and basically jargon free.

Yes, good modular structure

The flow is coherent and sufficiently flexible to allow people to adopt alternative orders.

Display features are fine, save for the US-centric focus

Well written

The text makes no reference to Canada. This is its core weakness

Report on "Introduction to Sociology" N Guppy (UBC) August, 2013 In reviewing the OpenStax College textbook, Introduction to Sociology, I preface my comments, briefly, with two pieces of background. First, I say a bit about my own teaching experience as it bears on this review. Second, I describe a little about how sociology in BC/Canada differs from the United States. The remainder of the review addresses the substance of the book. I end by suggesting what some challenges would be in adapting this book for a BC audience. In all of this I have paid attention to, and responded to, the various issues raised in the BC Open Textbook review criteria. Experience Two issues are germane here. First I have taught versions of Introduction to Sociology at UBC since 1979 so I am quite familiar with the material typically covered in the course for which this book was designed. In my introductory course teaching I have used a range of different textbooks. I have also reviewed introductory level textbooks for various publishers, both in Canada and the United States so I am well acquainted with the range of material available and used in these courses. Second, I have recently spent ten months adapting one of the best-selling US Introductory Sociology textbooks for use in Canada. From this I know, firsthand, how much the standard US sociology book needs to be changed to work as an effective learning aid in Canada (compare George Ritzer's Introduction to Sociology, Sage Publications with George Ritzer and Neil Guppy's Introduction to Sociology, Canadian Version, Sage Publications). At its core the OpenStax text is a US centric-book. I also am aware that this latter experience, adapting a US text, might imply that I am in a conflict of interest in reviewing this book. I obviously do not hold that view because, in my judgement, insights from this experience outweigh any possible personal benefit I might accrue. Nevertheless, it is important that readers of my review are apprised of what some might interpret as a conflict of interest. Sociology in Context Mathematics and physics are disciplines whose basic content does not differ across societies. The fundamental core of these disciplines are largely invariant even if for various reasons scholars in different countries may begin in different places or stress different topics. Such would not be the case in literature, as a third disciplinary example, where every country would be expected to have, to a large degree, its own literary themes and traditions. Sociology is much like the latter. Societies differ and sociology, at its centre, is focused upon those differences. India's caste system is much different from the class structure of Europe. Labour migration in China is fundamentally different from such migration in Mexico. Social movements in the Arab world follow different rhythms than do related movements in the industrial west. As these examples illustrate there are parallels across societies – caste versus class is about differentiation, for example – but sociology in India would approach things quite differently than would sociology in Europe. This is true too of Canada versus the United States. Here are a few examples. Both societies are riven with differences that fracture social cohesion – in Canada the French-English divide is often paralleled with the differences between Blacks and Whites, and increasingly Hispanics, in the US. To understand these divisions requires quite separate analytic tools even though at one level it is a difference of ethnicity versus race. A second example comes in examining social mobility. The United States experiences greater levels of individual or circulation mobility than is true of Canada, although in both countries the cultural myths we live by exaggerate just how much such mobility actually occurs (inheritance of poverty or privilege is rampant, as Blacks and Aboriginal peoples will testify). [In both countries a large amount of the mobility that does occur is structural not individual, which suggests of course some sociological similarities across societies as would be expected.] Not to belabour the point too much, but from a different angle the Canada-US difference is seen in how the discipline of sociology in North America articulates with European influences. These are much greater in Canada than in the US. Canadian scholars have found much more merit in using political economy perspectives shaped in part by Europeans, than have US sociologists. To a large extent that is a function of a much, much greater manufacturing presence, at least historically, in the US (and the idea of US exceptionalism) and a much less developed resource economy which is, of course, the lifeblood of many, many Canadian communities (whether in harvesting or transporting raw materials). OpenStax College Introduction to Sociology In my judgement this is an adequate, one-semester, introductory book for sociology. It highlights the core concepts, foundational scholars, and emerging theories that any competent sociologist in BC would employ to introduce students to the discipline. Most people who adopted such a book would add some of their own emphases and tastes, but the fundamental conceptual core is sound (with a few exceptions as noted below). Where the book is much weaker is with evidence, research, and illustration. Anyone using this book for BC students would have to do an enormous amount of work, relative to the amount involved if other books were used, in supplementing the evidence and examples. In my judgement many sociologists in the province would deem this book totally unsatisfactory for introducing sociology to BC students. I will illustrate this latter issue in much of what follows. I should also note that in my judgement the book would not be used in most research intensive universities in the United States. The reasons for this are complicated, and have at least something to do with the snobbishness of such institutions. However the book just does not integrate solid research into its exposition of sociology. This is seen, for example, in the repeated use of Wikipedia commons as a source for evidence. But more profoundly it occurs because the book is more descriptive than explanatory. For example, the book describes social mobility (and structural mobility) but if fails to explain what social forces act to enable or constrain rates of mobility – either circulation mobility or structural mobility. This latter lacunae is the core reason that schools stressing research as opposed to social description would avoid this book. The book is organized as a set of modules whose order can be changed. This is a very good feature since sociologists have idiosyncratic habits in teaching the discipline (this is unlike math or physics where a linear approach needs to occur as topics build on one another). There is no correct place to begin to dissect society – the analysis doesn't necessarily start at ‘one' or with ‘A'. Alternative starting points are feasible and there is no consensus in the discipline as to exactly where one ought to begin (and in my judgement the best starting place differs by time and place). Sociology is less about covering topics and building one upon the other, and more about understanding a way of thinking, a particular process of observing and analyzing. That process can be effectively highlighted in multiple ways. There are clear learning objectives at the beginning of each module which is very helpful both for students and instructors. All of the basic features of contemporary textbooks are available – powerpoints, text banks, and the like. The materials at the end of each module (chapter) are generally well done and supply a variety of good learning aids for students. The opening example chosen to begin the book is clever, unique, and compelling. Sociology is about linkages between individuals and societies. The book starts, quite reasonably, with an emphasis on how individuals act in crowds, and how crowds differ (e.g., rock concert crowds, political protest agitators, throngs of shoppers). The comparative framing of this is good and would clearly work in a BC classroom. Problems begin on page 11 where issues of foreclosure are introduced. The Canadian/BC experience is substantially different from what has occurred in the US. Contrary to patterns south of the border, Canadian unemployment is not at record highs, foreclosures have not significantly increased in Canada, and subprime mortgages remain relatively rare in Canada. All of this material is therefore misleading, if not outright erroneous, for the Canadian case. This first example, discussed throughout most of the third page of Chapter one, is meant to illustrate how social context (foreclosures, unemployment) can help people to understand their personal predicaments (their private troubles). But, of course, that example simply doesn't work in Canada. The Canadian context is different and so the example just doesn't ring true to students. The core point of page three, understanding private troubles in the context of public issues, is good sociology – but that will be lost on students who will correctly point out that these public issues are not as germane in Canada. Using ill-conceived examples is bad teaching and leads to students misunderstanding the core message. The US experience is simply not directly transferable to the Canadian context. The second example in the Chapter, meant to reinforce the same basic point about social context, focuses upon food stamps. But food stamps are a core part of the US welfare system and are not used in Canada (where food banks would be more appropriate). Again the example not only lacks resonance, but effectively misleads students about the very workings of society. Table 1.1 reinforces the food stamps point and so the

Reviewed by Murray Shaw, Sociology Instructor, Douglas College on 10/9/13

The coverage of topics in this text is comprehensive. In a 1-semester [4 month] course, out of the 21 chapters, I would use 14 full chapters, and incorporate parts of other chapters. The glossaries and references listed by section at the end of each chapter are useful, and the multiple choice and short answer questions are a helpful study aid for students. One issue is that the index at the end of the text could be lengthier and more detailed.

In my courses, I make reference to sociological theories and methods throughout the course, and I found that the explanations of theories in chapter 1 and subsequent chapters are very clear and concise, and lend themselves to illustrations and examples. I particularly liked the fairly extensive explanations of theories in chapter 4, Society and Social Interaction. This is a chapter that I have not seen in other texts. Chapter 2 provides very clear explanations and illustrations of the different stages of the research process, in particular the explanations of hypotheses, x and y variables , and how to develop operational definitions. In regards to biases, the explanations of research methods in chapter 2 are very clear and lend themselves to illustrations, though they seem biased toward a scientific model, which is in my experience pretty standard for introductory sociology texts. In this text even qualitative methods like participant observation and ethnography are presented almost solely in terms of the scientific model; as procedures for hypothesis testing. I understand that there are good reasons for emphasizing that sociology is a "social science," employing the same level of rigor developing knowledge as other scientific disciplines. Notwithstanding this, it results in a lack of coverage of qualitative perspectives and approaches that are more concerned with exploring interactional processes, than testing hypotheses. In reading through the text, I did notice a few other small issues: -Page 41: Although the example of the comic writer who employed deception to make undercover observations at a dot.com firm is sociologically interesting, it is not itself sociological research, and by the standards of sociology could be seen as methodologically and maybe ethically flawed. Maybe it could be presented differently, and not as exemplifying "the lengths to which a sociologist will go to uncover material"(41), because he is not a sociologist and it is not sociological research. -Page 61: "American teenagers are encouraged to value celibacy." Certainly today, not all American [or Canadian] teenagers receive such encouragement from all agents of socialization. A more specific statement would fix this overgeneralization. -Page 85: "Eventually, concerns over the exploitation of workers led to the formation of labor unions and laws that set mandatory conditions for employees." Here, again a slightly longer and more nuanced statement could make it clear that these changes came about not just because of public and official ‘concerns' about the welfare of workers, but also as a result of activism on the part of emerging labour movements, and serious conflicts over a number of decades. -Page 85: "Since the economy of information societies is driven by knowledge and not material goods, power lies with those in charge of storing and distributing information." This statement makes it sound as though control over the production and distribution of material goods is no longer an important source of power. This statement could be qualified: "Since the economy of information societies is driven by knowledge and not [just] material goods, [much of the] power [in modern societies] lies with those in charge of storing and distributing information."

One of the strong points of the text is that sociological concepts and theories are explained very clearly. The examples and illustrations could easily be updated in future editions as required, and where necessary could be replaced with illustrations from other cultures, for example, Canada.

One of the strongest points of the text is that the explanations of theories and concepts are very clear and understandable.

I did not find any problems with consistency, or any areas where concepts were applied that had not been previously explained.

For my purposes, the text's modularity is good. In a one-semester course, I generally use 12-13 chapters of a text, along with readings from other sources. With this text, in any particular section of the course, in addition to the relevant chapter, I could also use parts of other chapters that I would not cover in whole. For example, the section on Bureaucracy (130-33) could be a useful when explaining Weber's theories of the rationalization of modern society, and the section on "baby boomers"(282-84) could be useful for explaining population dynamics and social inequality and conflict. I can see that for all the sections of my course, in addition to the main chapter that I would use, there are sections from other part of the text that could easily be incorporated.

The topics follow the standard format for introductory sociology texts, with the most general theories and concepts in sociology presented first, leading into application of these to substantive areas of social life and social issues. I find that the ordering of topics within chapters is very good; one explanation leads into the next. For example, by the time the differences between sociology and psychology are briefly explained [102], these differences are both easy to grasp and their importance apparent. Also, I find that the explanations of concepts are relatively brief, which means that if I pursue a topic in class, I can fill in the detail with my own material. If not, the students are not bogged down with lengthy content that will not be discussed in class. One thing that I really like about this text is that Sociological theories are introduced very briefly in chapter 1, and then explained in more depth in chapter 4, Society and Social Interaction, a chapter that is not included in other texts I have used and seen. I think this is a good idea, because it presents theory after students have had several classes' exposure to sociological concepts. In all other texts I have used and seen, the "theory section" is all in chapter 1, which I have found to be a bit too much for students brand new to the discipline. If I used this text, I would add chapter 4 to my courses.

I did not see any problems in this regard.

I did not come across any grammatical errors.

The text is culturally inclusive, although [as discussed in the final section] the use of the US as the reference point for the text is problematic if the text is to be used in Canadian colleges.

This is a text that I would use, if it was adapted to the Canadian context. It is very clear and understandable, and all of the sections lend themselves well to illustrations, discussions, and other activities. So, while I do like the text, the issue of using a text with American content in a Canadian college course is very problematic. It seems to me that one aspect of this problem could be fixed fairly easily, as the US illustrations and examples could be replaced by Canadian ones, although I would keep some of the US illustrations, as they lead into examination of similarities and differences between these two very closely linked cultures. The other aspect of this problem is the use of the US context as the reference point for the explanations of concepts, structures and processes throughout the text. Canadian examples and illustrations can be fairly easily substituted for American ones, but sections in which explanations centre around conditions in the US may be more difficult to change, and would require considerable rewriting. So, for the most part, it is a great text and one that I would definitely use, if it were not for the cultural issue. Because the text uses the US as its reference point I could not use it in its present form. This review originated in the BC Open Textbook Collection and is licensed under CC BY-ND.

1 An Introduction to Sociology
2 Sociological Research
4 Society and Social Interaction
5 Socialization
6 Groups and Organization
7 Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
8 Media and Technology
9 Social Stratification in the United States
10 Global Inequality
11 Race and Ethnicity
12 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
13 Aging and the Elderly
14 Relationships, Marriage, and Family
15 Religion
16 Education
17 Government and Politics
18 Work and the Economy
19 Health and Medicine
20 Population, Urbanization, and the Environment
21 Social Movements and Social Change

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Introduction to Sociology 3e aligns to the topics and objectives of many introductory sociology courses. It is arranged in a manner that provides foundational sociological theories and contexts, then progresses through various aspects of human and societal interactions. The new edition is focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences related to critical thinking about society and culture. The text includes comprehensive coverage of core concepts, discussions and data relevant to a diverse audience, and features that draw learners into the discipline in powerful and personal ways. Overall, Introduction to Sociology 3e aims to center the course and discipline as crucial elements for understanding relationships, society, and civic engagement; the authors seek to lay the foundation for students to apply what they learn throughout their lives and careers.

The authors, reviewers, and the entire team worked to build understanding of the causes and impacts of discrimination and prejudice. Introduction to Sociology 3e contains dozens of examples of discrimination and its outcomes regarding social science, society, institutions, and individuals. The text seeks to strike a balance between confronting the damaging aspects of our culture and history and celebrating those who have driven change and overcome challenges. The core discussion of these topics are present in Chapter 11 on Race and Ethnicity, and Chapter 12 on Gender, Sex, and Sexuality, but their causes and effects are extensively discussed in the context of other topics, including education, law enforcement, government, healthcare, the economy, and so on. Together and when connected by an instructor, these elements have potential for deep and lasting effects.

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Kathleen Holmes , Northern Essex Community College

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Phenomenological Sociology

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Gary Backhaus 1

Part of the book series: Analecta Husserliana ((ANHU,volume 80))

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No definitive history concerning social phenomenology has ever been written, and there exists no well-circumscribed we-group with an established tradition. The first step of collecting the various contributions to its development promotes a synthesis of its historical subject matter into an organized corpus of literature. Two externally imposed reasons contributed to the lack of historical coherence and identity. First, the intellectual milieu that would have supported the growth of a unified tradition of social phenomenology, the Austrian-Germanic intellectual culture, had been stifled due to the economic and cultural consequences of each of the two world wars and the dissolution of academia through the rise of Nazism. The philosophers/sociologists that were struggling to create a paradigm for the human sciences were, as a consequence, geographically and culturally dispersed, which disrupted the developmental flow. The foreign sociological and philosophical traditions to which these investigators would have to adapt generally were not conducive to phenomenology as they were unacquainted with, or were hostile to, the Austrian-Germanic intellectual traditions. Secondly, after the 1940s, the impact of phenomenology on sociology was marginalized, due to the over emphasis on empirical-statistical methodology that has become the standard practice of the social sciences. The goal of this exposition is to explore the parameters for the development of a history of social phenomenology.

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Backhaus, G. (2002). Phenomenological Sociology. In: Tymieniecka, AT. (eds) Phenomenology World-Wide. Analecta Husserliana, vol 80. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0473-2_60

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Hypothesis: Functions, Problems, Types, Characteristics, Examples

Basic Elements of the Scientific Method: Hypotheses

The Function of the Hypotheses

A hypothesis states what one is looking for in an experiment. When facts are assembled, ordered, and seen in a relationship, they build up to become a theory. This theory needs to be deduced for further confirmation of the facts, this formulation of the deductions constitutes of a hypothesis. As a theory states a logical relationship between facts and from this, the propositions which are deduced should be true. Hence, these deduced prepositions are called hypotheses.

Problems in Formulating the Hypothesis

As difficult as the process may be, it is very essential to understand the need of a hypothesis. The research would be much unfocused and a random empirical wandering without it. The hypothesis provides a necessary link between the theory and investigation which often leads to the discovery of additions to knowledge.

There are three major difficulties in the formulation of a hypothesis, they are as follows:

Absence of a clear theoretical framework
Lack of ability to utilize that theoretical framework logically
Failure to be acquainted with available research techniques so as to phrase the hypothesis properly.

Sometimes the deduction of a hypothesis may be difficult as there would be many variables and the necessity to take them all into consideration becomes a challenge. For instance, observing two cases:

Principle: A socially recognized relationship with built-in strains also governed by the institutional controls has to ensure conformity of the participants with implicit or explicit norms.

Deduction: This situation holds much more sense to the people who are in professions such as psychotherapy, psychiatry and law to some extent. They possess a very intimate relationship with their clients, thus are more susceptible to issues regarding emotional strains in the client-practitioner relationship and more implicit and explicit controls over both participants in comparison to other professions.

The above-mentioned case has variable hypotheses, so the need is to break them down into sub hypotheses, they are as follows:

Specification of the degree of difference
Specification of profession and problem
Specification of kinds of controls.

2. Principle: Extensive but relatively systematized data show the correlation between members of the upper occupational class and less unhappiness and worry. Also, they are subjected to more formal controls than members of the lower strata.

Deduction: There can numerous ways to approach this principle, one could go with the comparison applying to martial relationships of the members and further argue that such differential pressures could be observed through divorce rates. This hypothesis would show inverse correlations between class position and divorce rates. There would be a very strong need to define the terms carefully to show the deduction from the principle problem.

The reference of these examples showcases a major issue in the hypothesis formulations procedures. One needs to keep the lines set for the deductions and one should be focusing on having a hypothesis at the beginning of the experiment, that hypothesis may be subject to change in the later stages and it is referred to as a „working hypothesis. Hence, the devising and utilization of a hypothesis is essential for the success of the experiment.

Types of Hypothesis

There are many ways to classify hypotheses, but it seems adequate to distinguish to separate them on the basis of their level of abstraction. They can be divided into three broad levels which will be increasing in abstractness.

The existence of empirical uniformities : These hypotheses are made from problems which usually have a very high percentage of representing scientific examination of common–sense proportions. These studies may show a variety of things such as the distribution of business establishments in a city, behavior patterns of specific groups, etc. and they tend to show no irregularities in their data collection or review. There have been arguments which say that these aren’t hypothesis as they represent what everyone knows. This can be counter argued on the basis of two things that, “what everyone knows” isn’t always in coherence with the framework of science and it may also be incorrect. Hence, testing these hypotheses is necessary too.
Complex ideal types: These hypotheses aim at testing the existence of logically derived relationships between empirical uniformities. This can be understood with an example, to observe ecology one should take in many factors and see the relationship between and how they affect the greater issue. A theory by Ernest W. Burgess gave out the statement that concentric growth circles are the one which characterize the city. Hence, all issues such as land values, industrial growth, ethnic groups, etc. are needed to be analyzed for forming a correct and reasonable hypothesis.
Relations of analytic variables: These hypotheses are a bit more complex as they focus on they lead to the formulation of a relationship between the changes in one property with respect to another. For instance, taking the example of human fertility in diverse regions, religions, wealth gap, etc. may not always affect the end result but it doesn’t mean that the variables need not be accounted for. This level of hypothesizing is one of the most effective and sophisticated and thus is only limited by theory itself.

Science and Hypothesis

“The general culture in which a science develops furnishes many of its basic hypotheses” holds true as science has developed more in the West and is no accident that it is a function of culture itself. This is quite evident with the culture of the West as they read for morals, science and happiness. After the examination of a bunch of variables, it is quite easy to say that the cultural emphasis upon happiness has been productive of an almost limitless range.

The hypotheses originate from science; a key example in the form of “socialization” may be taken. The socialization process in learning science involves a feedback mechanism between the scientist and the student. The student learns from the scientist and then tests for results with his own experience, and the scientist in turn has to do the same with his colleagues.

Analogies are a source of useful hypotheses but not without its dangers as all variables may not be accounted for it as no civilization has a perfect system.

Hypotheses are also the consequence of personal, idiosyncratic experience as the manner in which the individual reacts to the hypotheses is also important and should be accounted for in the experiment.

The Characteristics for Usable Hypotheses

The criteria for judging a hypothesis as mentioned below:

Complete Clarity : A good hypothesis should have two main elements, the concepts should be clearly defined and they should be definitions which are communicable and accepted by a larger section of the public. A lot of sources may be used and fellow associates may be used to help with the cause.
Empirical Referents : A great hypothesis should have scientific concepts with the ultimate empirical referent. It can‟t be based on moral judgment though it can explore them but the goal should be separated from moral preachment and the acceptance of values. A good start could be analyzing the concepts which express attitudes rather than describing or referring to empirical phenomena.
Specific Goal : The goal and procedure of the hypothesis should be tangible as grand experiments are harder to carry out. All operations and predictions should be mapped and in turn the possibility of testing the hypothesis increases. This not only enables the conceptual clarity but also the description of any indexes used. These indexes are used as variables for testing hypotheses on a larger scale. A general prediction isn’t as reliable as a specific prediction as the specific prediction provides a better result.
Relation to Available Techniques : The technique with which a hypothesis is tested is of the utmost importance and so thorough research should be carried out before the experiment in order to find the best possible way to go about it. The example of Karl Marx may be given regarding his renowned theories; he formulated his hypothesis by observing individuals and thus proving his hypothesis. So, finding the right technique may be the key to a successful test.
Relation to a Body of Theory: Theories on social relations can never be developed in isolation but they are a further extension of already developed or developing theories. For instance, if the “intelligence quotient” of a member of the society is to be measured, certain variables such as caste, ethnicity, nationality, etc. are chosen thus deductions are made from time to time to eventually find out what is the factor that influences intelligence.

The Conclusion

The formulation of a hypothesis is probably the most necessary step in good research practice and it is very essential to get the thought process started. It helps the researcher to have a specific goal in mind and deduce the end result of an experiment with ease and efficiency. History is evident that asking the right questions always works out fine.

LECTURE NOTES Introduction to Sociology

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Obafemi Awolowo University Press

Oyekola Isaac A.

This book can be described as the first book giving a far-reaching view of the basic and contemporary issues in sociology, put together by outstanding Nigerian scholars. The 34 chapters covered in this book have six themes: Introduction (Sociology: definition, brief history and uses; The scientific status of sociology; Essentials of social thought in historical perspective), Key sociological concepts (Man and his environment; Social institutions; Socialisation; Deviance and social control; Social change; Social stratification; Social network theory; Social groups and organisations; African social structure in the silhouette of globalisation), Social problems (Sociological imagination; Social problem and social work; Principles and administration of social work; Understanding the concept of social movement), Fields of sociology (Fields of sociology; Sociology of globalisation; Sociology of climate change; Understanding sociology of law in social engineering; Sociology of entrepreneurship; Introduction to the sociology of happiness; Sociology of the aged; Sociology of death, dying and bereavement; Elderly welfare initiatives), Research (Proposal writing and review of literature; Qualitative research; Qualitative data analysis; Quantitative research methods; Choice of appropriate statistical techniques in quantitative research), and Gender (A journey through feminism; Gender and administration; Gender and sexuality; Gender construction on Nigerian social media platforms). The book is an important contribution to the subject matter of sociology, and it should prove to be the greatest value to students at all levels in social sciences in general and sociology in particular, and all scholars concerned with research methods.

Medical Sociology in Africa

Jimoh Amzat

Kamaljeet Mehta

Dr. Awais H. Gillani

noman sulaimani

Goals & Objectives of the Course: This course aims at introducing sociology as a discipline by looking at its origins and development and the way it is different from and related to other social sciences. By means of an informed engagement with basic concepts and processes, the course is an attempt at familiarising the students with the essentials of the discipline. Expected Outcome: Students are expected to comprehend the emergence, growth and development of sociology alongside understanding its basic concepts.

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Sociology class-(social research) Scientific method.upkalpana/parikalpana kya hai.what is hypothesis
Sociology: Chapter 1, Understanding Sociology
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PDF The Nature of Sociological Theory
Sociological Theory Theories Invite Controversy Theories seek to explain things. And thus, sociological theory attempts to explain how the social world operates. This social world consists of the behaviors, interactions, and patterns of social organization among humans, although some would argue that a sociology of nonhuman animals that
(PDF) Sociological Theory and Practice: Introduction
A.O. Olutayo and Olayinka Akanle. Sociological theory is a central and fund amental element of. Sociology. While a rgument s about continued relevance of. sociological theory — as a collective ...
PDF Introduction to Sociology
sciences under sociology; he believed sociology held the potential to improve society and direct human activity, including the other sciences. While it is no longer a theory employed in Sociology, Comte argued for an understanding of society he labeled The Law of Three Stages. Comte, not unlike other enlightenment thinkers, believed society
PDF THEORIES AND METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY
Perspectives in sociology 21 Some key differences between the two perspectives 24 • Choice of research method 24 • Methods of data collection 25 Social surveys 26 • The reliability of data 28 • Sources of data 29 • Areas of debate in sociology 30 • Theories in sociology 31 • The relationship between theory and method 32 P. L ...
PDF The Three Main Sociological Perspectives
A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles designed to answer a question or explain a particular phenomenon; it provides us with a perspective. Sociological theories help us to explain and predict the social world in which we live. Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the
PDF Theories and Paradigms in Sociology
theory by which smaller or greater systems of scientific laws and hypotheses on the society as a whole or on some societal phenomena are established through the application of scientific research methods. Several elements may be distinguished in the sociological theory structure - concept, variable, statement and form (J. H. Turner).
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OpenStax
Social Theory
Social theory refers to ideas, arguments, hypotheses, thought-experiments, and explanatory speculations about how and why human societies—or elements or structures of such societies—come to be formed, change, and develop over time or disappear. Usually supported in research institutions as a core component of the discipline of sociology ...
PDF Social Systems Theory
Social Systems Theory as a Sociological Theory In the history of sociology, social systems theory has been a persistent target of critics who are not involved in this area of research, mainly for ideological reasons. Social systems theory has been blamed in the following two ways: One is "conservative," the other is "too difﬁcult."
PDF Sociological Theory
Social Theory (2005), the eleven-volume Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology (2007), and The Blackwell Companion to Globalization (2007), and he is the founding editor of the Journal of Consumer Culture. In 2010, McGraw-Hill published the third edition of Professor Ritzer's Contemporary Sociological Theory and Its Classic Roots: The Basics.
2.1C: Formulating the Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an assumption or suggested explanation about how two or more variables are related. It is a crucial step in the scientific method and, therefore, a vital aspect of all scientific research. There are no definitive guidelines for the production of new hypotheses. The history of science is filled with stories of scientists claiming ...
Hypotheses
18. Hypotheses. When researchers do not have predictions about what they will find, they conduct research to answer a question or questions, with an open-minded desire to know about a topic, or to help develop hypotheses for later testing. In other situations, the purpose of research is to test a specific hypothesis or hypotheses.
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Sociology 3e aligns to the topics and objectives of many introductory sociology courses. It is arranged in a manner that provides foundational sociological theories and contexts, then progresses through various aspects of human and societal interactions. The new edition is focused on driving meaningful and memorable learning experiences related to critical thinking about ...
(PDF) Sociological Theory and Research
1. Define theory and discuss its applicability to the study of sport and physical activity. 2. Summarize the major theories used to understand sport and physical activity in society. 3. Identify ...
PDF PHENOMENOLOGICAL SOCIOLOGY
the convergence of sociology and philosophy through a methodology of reciprocal envelopment. A very import ant Schtitzian critique of quantitative methodology in sociology is Aaron Cicourel's book, Method and Mea surement in Sociology. There are works that also move beyond criticism and present a phenomenological foun
PDF CHAPTER 1 What Is Sociology of Education?
The third major theoretical perspective in sociology of education is interaction theory, a micro-level theory that focuses on individual and small-group experiences in the educational system: the processes . and interactions that take place in schools. In . interaction . or. interpretive theory, individuals are active
Hypothesis: Functions, Problems, Types ...
The Function of the Hypotheses. A hypothesis states what one is looking for in an experiment. When facts are assembled, ordered, and seen in a relationship, they build up to become a theory. This theory needs to be deduced for further confirmation of the facts, this formulation of the deductions constitutes of a hypothesis.
(PDF) LECTURE NOTES Introduction to Sociology
The first social scientist to use the term sociology was a Frenchman by the name of Auguste Comte who lived from 1798-1857. As coined by Comte, the term sociology is a combination of two words. The first part of the term is a Latin, socius- that may variously mean society, association, togetherness or companionship.
(PDF) FORMULATING AND TESTING HYPOTHESIS
The researcher states a hypothesis to be tested, formulates an analysis plan, analyzes sample data. according to the plan, and accepts or rejects the null hypothesis, based on r esults of the ...
eGyanKosh: Unit-11 Hypothesis: Nature of Formulation
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