It is a method for studying the relation between two or more variables under highly controlled conditions.

An experiment best meets the requirement for scientific research to accept or reject a hypothesis. The experimental subjects are expose to the experimental conditions (variables), while the control subject are not. One experimental condition is varied at a time, while the others are kept constant so that the cause and effect and the other types of relationship can be determined. The result is observed to check if there is any difference between the two groups. 2. Survey Research It involves a systematic and large-scale collection of information from people and about people through the use of questionnaire. The questionnaire is intended to determined peoples characteristics, values, beliefs, perceptions, motivation, and feelings. 3. Field research Field research is the study of the way of life of a group or people in its natural setting. The researcher interviews and observes people at work and play, and acquires information and an understanding of the various aspect of their life-economic, political, religious, and cultural. 4.) Participatory research is an attempt to develop a peoples science so that research becomes rele vant not only as a way of achieving socioeconomic development but also as a learning process for the group being studied. This is the essence of people-centered development. TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS IN SOCIOLOGICAL INQUIRY 1. Observation Observation is the foundation of social research. One makes use of the various senses in studying a social phenomenon or social behavior. Observation can be open (overt) and secret (covert). If done overtly, the respondents are informed about it; if covertly, people are observed without their knowledge. Observation may be non-participatory or participatory. In non-participant observation, the researcher enters the situation as a third party and simply observes and records what the subject do or say. 2. Interviews The researcher also obtain data by interviewing people. If the interview is non-structured, the researcher leaves it to the interviewee to guide the conversation. In structured or directed interviews, the researchers follows a more definite order of questions. The interview may be guided by a set of written question, and the interviewer records the answer as these are given. A questionnaire is another tool for securing answer to written question. 3. Historical research This involves a continuous and systematic search for information and knowledge about past events related to the life of the person, a group, society, or the world. The researcher studies records like official chronicles, letters, diaries, baptismal certificates, publication, or information from sources who have witnessed a certain event. 4. Life history