Empirical Approaches to Sociology

Greg Lee Carter is a Professor of Sociology at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where he is the long-time Chair of theDepartment of History & Social Sciences. He earned his B.A. in history and psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in sociology at Columbia University. His writings on contemporary social issues have also appeared in more than a dozen academic journals; among them are the Forum for Applied Research & Public Policy, the Journal of Conflict Resolution, Research in Urban Economics, Sociological Focus, Sociological Forum, Sociology Inquiry, Sociological Perspectives, Sociological Viewpoints, and The Sociological Quarterly.He is the recipient of the Bryant University Distinguished Research & Publication Award and Excellence in Teaching Award; the New England Sociological Association's Sociologist of the Year Award; and the American Sociological Association's Outstanding Contributions to Instruction Award (Sociology and Computers Section). He is former President of the New England Sociological Association and has been an associate editor of Teaching Sociology.He has authored or edited 21 books, including: Analyzing Contemporary Social Issues (Allyn & Bacon, 1996, 2001), Empirical Approaches to Sociology (Macmillan, 1994; Allyn & Bacon, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2009), Doing Sociology with Student Chip: Data Happy! (Allyn & Bacon, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2009), Gun Control in the United States: A Reference Handbook (ABC-CLIO, 2006), Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law (ABC-CLIO, 2002), How to Manage Conflict in the Organization (American Management Association, 1994; Revised Edition, 2005), Learning Research Methods with SPSS (Harcourt Brace, 2001), Perspectives on Current Social Problems (Allyn & Bacon, 1997), The Gun Control Movement (Twayne Publishers, 1997), and Working Women in America: Split Dreams (with Sharlene Hesse-Biber [Oxford University Press, 2000, 2005]). His long-time passion is scuba diving. He especially likes the travel, photography, spearfishing, and adventure that are associated with this sport. He has his Master Scuba Diver certification and averages about 60 dives per year.