Final answer:
Sociologists using Weber's verstehen would observe and understand the subjective experiences of women in a sorority, focusing on qualitative methods rather than quantitative surveys or controlled experiments to gain a deep understanding of their social ranking.
Step-by-step explanation:
If sociologists were studying the social ranking of women in a sorority using Weber's verstehen, they would likely observe and understand their subjective experiences. According to Max Weber's concept of verstehen, researchers aim to deeply understand the social world from the perspective of the individuals involved. While surveys, as a method, can provide valuable data on behaviors and opinions, they may not capture the depth of social interactions and inner experiences that verstehen seeks. Qualitative methods such as participant observation and in-depth interviews allow researchers to grasp the subjective meanings people attach to their actions and social roles. This is particularly relevant when the focus is on understanding the nuances in social rankings within a specific group like a sorority.
Verstehen focuses on gaining a deep understanding of participants' perspectives, making it a suitable approach for such a study. Other methods like controlled experiments or quantitative surveys would not provide the same level of insight into the subjective experiences of the individuals within the sorority. Instead, a qualitative approach that includes observation and possibly unstructured interviews is optimal to understand the intricacies of social ranking from the women's own viewpoints.