Identify and explain three elements of science in sociological research.

Sociology is as much of a science as any other branch of science. Though the question refers to specifically three elements of science, sociology has all the elements of science that any other branch of science.

It is possible to classify basic elements of science in many different ways, yielding three or thirty different elements. Perhaps the question is referring to a particular scheme of classifying features of science which has just three elements. As this specific scheme has not been described in the question, I will just describe some major elements of science classified in five basic elements as follows:

1. Observing nature


2. classifying data


3. Using logic


4. Conducting experiments


5. Formulating hypothesis


6. Expressing findings as theories.

Sociology has all these elements of science present in it. Sociologist collect factual data about people, groups, society and behavior of individual in a social context through various means like observation, survey, and observation. Then classify and analyse such data to understand the nature of such the subjects studied and the underlying causes of people and groups behaving as they do. Then they use the insights so gained to draw generalized conclusion about nature of sociological realities., which may be initially proposed as hypothesis and tested further to establish their validity or otherwise. Finally sociologists, formulate theories to capture the essence of their findings. In this way we see that sociology has all the elements of a science.