The process of making sense of data involves forming
ideas or concepts from the detail of a situation. By developing and applying theories sociologists make sense of
the world they confront. In doing this sociologists can
understand the deeper signifi cance of things and form a
bigger picture within their fi eld of interest. Their fi ndings
and understandings are useful in many areas: race relations; human rights; healthcare; politics; social services;
local and national government; sport and leisure are a
few.