A sociologist is studying the impact of social media on community engagement. Which category best describes this research approach?

The research approach of a sociologist studying the impact of social media on community engagement can be best described as empirical research. This means the sociologist is gathering data through observations, surveys, or experiments to understand how social media influences the way people connect and participate in their communities. For example, they might survey a group of people about their social media use and how it affects their involvement in local events. By analyzing this data, the sociologist aims to draw conclusions about the relationship between social media and community engagement. This approach helps in understanding real-life behaviors and patterns in society.