Final answer:
A sports sociologist uses both quantifiable data, such as surveys, for statistical analysis, and qualitative data, such as interviews, for richer insights into human behavior, integrating both for comprehensive understanding.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sociologist studying sports generally works with two main types of data to understand and analyze human behavior: quantifiable data and qualitative data. Quantitative data is numerical information collected through methods such as surveys, which allows researchers to count, measure, and analyze data to identify patterns and trends in society. This type of data is very direct and helps answer specific questions about the frequency and distribution of certain behaviors or phenomena. In contrast, qualitative data comprises subjective information gleaned from natural settings, such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and content analysis from sources like books and media. This non-numerical data provides a richer context and can lead to more in-depth understanding of complex social behaviors and cultural aspects. Researchers often use both quantitative and qualitative data to get a holistic view of the subject they are studying. For example, a sociologist conducting research on prisoners might collect quantitative data such as demographics (race, age, sex) to create statistical analyses. At the same time, qualitative data could be gathered to understand why prisoners engage in certain activities, like pursuing education. By integrating both types of information, sociologists can uncover patterns while also gaining insight into the motivations behind human behavior.