The Rules of Sociological Method (book)

"The Rules of Sociological Method" by Émile Durkheim outlines how to study society scientifically. It advocates treating social facts—patterns, norms, and institutions—as external, objective phenomena that should be analyzed independently of individual opinions. Durkheim emphasizes systematic observation, defining clear categories, and identifying consistent patterns to understand social behaviours and structures. The aim is to uncover the laws governing social life, similar to natural sciences, by examining collective facts to reveal how societies maintain order and change. This approach helps sociologists produce unbiased, reliable knowledge about social phenomena.