Information Organization Strategies for Sociology
Sociology information may be organized using flash cards, running concept lists, matrices, sample word maps, webs or spider maps, hierarchies, compare-contrast organizers, and flow charts. Each of these strategies is illustrated in this section.
Flash Cards
Flash cards are used to organize terms and definitions, people and contributions, lists, and other types of sociology information. Examples of completed sociology flash cards are shown below (D. Applegate, CAL).
Show Me An Example Of Sociology Flash Cards
Running Concept Lists
Another good way to organize sociology information is running concept lists (J. Scheltz, CAL). The information may be organized according to subject/topic, chapter, or type of information. Samples of running concept lists with sociology information are shown below (D. Applegate, CAL).
Show Me An Example Of a Running Concept List
Matrices
As illustrated in the example below, matrices are useful for organizing large amounts of related information or for comparing/contrasting different sociology ideas.
Show Me An Example Of Sociology Matrices
Sample Word Map
Characteristics and examples of a key term or concept may be organized into a sample word map, such as the map for gesellschaft shown below.
Show Me An Example Of A Sample Word Map
Spider Maps / Webs
More comprehensive concepts may be broken down into details using a spider map or web. The web shown below summarizes information about types of deviance.
Show Me An Example Of A Spider Map / Web
Hierarchies / Arrays
Superordinate and subordinate information in sociology is gainfully organized in a hierarchy or array, which arranges information from general to specific. The hierarchy shown here summaries information about types of deviance.
Show Me An Example Of Hierarchies / Arrays
Compare-Contrast Organizers
Compare-contrast organizers, such as the one below, are used to organize similarities and differences between terms, people, or concepts. Similarities are written in the intersection of the two circles and differences to the outside.
Show Me An Example Of Compare-Contrast Organizers
Flow Charts
Processual or chronological information in sociology is well suited for flow charts, such as the two examples provided here.
