Final answer:
Social studies researchers use surveys, ethnographic field research, interviews, historical secondary data analysis, and content analysis to investigate different topics.
Step-by-step explanation:
In planning studies' original research designs, sociologists generally choose from five widely used methods of social investigation: survey, ethnographic field research, formal and informal interviews, historical secondary data analysis, and content analysis.
Every research method comes with assets and limitations, and the topic of study, and specific research question strongly influences which method or methods are put to use.