Without question, the Barbie movie has been the breakout success of the 2023 summer movie season. Thus far, it has earned over $1.34 billion worldwide, placing it in direct competition with The Super Mario Bros. Movie at $1.35 billion. While fans and the movie industry wait with bated breath for Barbie to win the race against Mario, the Barbie phenomenon gives us an opportunity to flex the research arm of sociology. How would a sociologist study Barbie? And if you were that sociologist, what would you do, and how would you do it?
The first step in researching Barbie from a sociological perspective would be to ensure that you have a firm grip on the scientific method, the process a sociologist uses to develop and test theories. The scientific method provides the sequence and steps necessary to guide your research to a successful outcome. The steps of the scientific method and how they might apply to studying Barbie are as follows:
1. Define the question or problem. This involves identifying your “wonder” or topic. As a student, your instructor usually assigns a topic, but as you get further in sociology, you are given more leeway to decide on your own topic. For our purposes, defining the question or problem entails clarifying what you are wondering about Barbie. Are you interested in studying Barbie purely as a movie? Or might you want to know about the role of the Barbie doll in society from a historical and/or cross-cultural perspective?
