Sociologists study race and ethnicity in many ways to understand how these things affect people’s lives. Here’s a simpler breakdown of what they do:

1. Research Methods:
   Sociologists use different ways to gather information:

   • They conduct interviews to hear personal stories.
   • They do ethnographies, which means they observe people in their daily lives.
   • They also use surveys to collect data and statistics.

   By mixing these methods, they get a better idea of how race and ethnicity influence people's experiences.

2. Key Theories:

   • Social Constructionism: This idea says that race and ethnicity are not just about biology. Instead, they are influenced by how society sees and interacts with them.
   • Conflict Theory: Sociologists look at how different racial and ethnic groups compete for things like jobs and resources. This competition can lead to unfairness and conflicts.

3. Critical Perspectives:
   Sociologists examine how history, especially colonialism, and ongoing issues like systemic racism affect people today. They also consider how different parts of a person’s identity, like gender and social class, work together with race and ethnicity.

Through these methods and ideas, sociologists help us see the challenges many groups face. They also play a role in helping us understand fairness and justice in society.