Final answer:
The relationship between units of analysis and the scientific study of society allows sociologists to explore the connections between individuals and institutions at both micro and macro levels through a systematic approach called the scientific method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between units of analysis and the scientific study of society reflects how sociologists can study the interconnections between individuals, groups, and institutions on both micro and macro levels. At the micro-level, a sociologist might focus on small groups and individual interactions within a specific cultural context. In contrast, a macro-level analysis would involve studying larger trends among groups and institutions on a broader scale, possibly even globally. Sociological studies often focus on understanding how societies hold together, acknowledging that changes in one part can affect others in unexpected ways.
This scientific approach is applied using the scientific method, which consists of systematic and organized steps to ensure objectivity and consistency when exploring social problems. Using the scientific method, researchers first ask a question or find a research topic that is neither too broad nor too narrow. They then operationalize their terms to ensure clarity and apply mathematical routines to describe phenomena, select the kinds of data needed, and then examine the relationships between dependent and independent variables to justify their findings about the interaction of populations within communities.