Why Does Sociology Need Numbers?

About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about the use of numbers in social research, focusing in particular on: (i) the importance of numerical data in identifying patterns of stratification and differentiation, both in education and in society more broadly; (ii) the distinction between qualitative and quantitative in social research, and whether this binary is helpful; (iii) some important factors to consider when evaluating the quality of research, whether “qualitative” or “quantitative”.

About the lecturer

Professor Stephen Gorard is Professor of Education and Public Policy and Director of the Evidence Centre for Education at Durham University. He has written very widely on educational inequalities, education policy, and research methods. His recent publications include How to Make Sense of Statistics (2021), How Can We Get Educators to Use Research Evidence? (2019, co-author), and Education Policy: Evidence of Equity and Effectiveness (2018).