Social Problems and Welfare

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction to social problems. 2. Problems of Indian Muslims. 3. Methodology of sociology. 4. Caste and class problems. 5. Social norms. 6. Significance of status. 7. Development of social attitudes. 8. Theory of urbanisation and social change. 9. Urbanization and industrialization. 10. Social legislation. 11. Race and racism. 12. Land ownership or land tenure system. 13. Untouchability. 14. Social class. 15. Social community. Index.

"A sociologist intending to study religious behaviour might construct a questionnaire to gather information for his research. It may contain questions about church attendance, individual acts of worship, commitment to religious beliefs and so on. He will ask members of the public to fill in the questionnaire and in this way obtain information for his study. Alternatively, he may wish to gather data by first-hand observation of religious behaviour. Thus he may join congregations in places of worship and directly observe religious services. He may decide, however, that informal interviews will provide the best method for obtaining the information he requires. He will therefore arrange a series of interviews with members of the public to discuss aspects of their religious beliefs and practices. Questionnaires, observation and interviews are three of the main research methods employed by sociologists for gathering data." (jacket)