Oral history is a type of qualitative research that is often used in ethnographic studies. Go to the Web site of the Oral History Society (http://www.oralhistory.org.uk/):

1. Read the introductory information on this page. In your own words, explain what oral history is and how it can be used.
2. You are urged on this page to become a member of the Oral History Society. In what ways might joining this organization be helpful to a sociologist? Would you ever consider joining this organization?
3. Now click on "Advice" then "Practical Advice." If you were assigned to do oral history interviewing, what would be the focus or theme of your project? Why?
4. How would you go about finding people to interview?
5. Write a sample of five questions that you would ask.

The U.S. government frequently makes use of surveys to track trends in the American population. Some of the data they collect is accessible to you on the American FactFinder Web site (http://www.factfinder.census.gov/). Go there to learn more about the information these surveys collect.

Find the section entitled "Getting Detailed Data" and peruse the headings there. Answer these questions:

1. Why is one of the data sources referred to as a census, while the others are referred to as surveys? (Hint: Link to "Learn More" under "Decennial Census," and read the first paragraph.)
2. How many of the surveys are familiar to you? In what context have you seen information about these surveys?

Link to "Learn More" under "American Community Survey" and skim the information there.

3. Are you familiar with the American Community Survey? When would you expect survey information on your community to be available? Would you be interested in looking at the results?
4. What are the expected benefits of having a yearly enumeration of the American Community Survey?

Click your Back button, and link to "Fact Sheet" on the left-hand side of the page. Use the search box to find your community and peruse the information there.

5. What is the median household income in your community?
6. What proportion of your community's population speaks a non-English language at home?
7. Do you see information about your community that surprises you?