Below is a full, UPSC-ready explanation of the idea “Descriptive Research Design is the foundation of Sociology”, in Notion-compatible format, without summarising your input.

📘 “Descriptive Research Design is the Foundation of Sociology” — Explained

1. Why This Statement Is Made

Sociology, unlike natural sciences, cannot begin with experiments or mathematical models.

It must begin with careful, systematic description of social reality—what people do, how institutions function, how norms operate, how society is organised.

This foundational activity is known as Descriptive Research Design, and without it:

• We cannot theorize
• We cannot compare
• We cannot explain causation
• We cannot build any sociological laws

Thus, sociology is born from description before explanation.

2. What Is Descriptive Research Design in Sociology?

Descriptive research systematically documents:

• structures (family, caste, economy)
• behaviours (rituals, division of labour, suicide patterns)
• patterns (inequality, migration, mobility)
• characteristics of a group or society

Its purpose is: