Research

Professor Hougland’s interests include sociology of organizations, industry in community context, voluntary sector research, sociology of religion, and evaluation research.

Current research that is reflective of this commitment includes an ongoing analysis of public perceptions of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA), an examination of new methodologies to facilitate appropriate job placements, and an evaluation of a program (funded by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education program) designed to develop expertise and employability in the area of information technology. Dr. Hougland’s regular teaching responsibilities include the sociology of organizations and sociological research methods.

Selected Publications

His most recent work appears in Journal of Applied Sociology, American Communication Journal, International Journal of Educational Reform, Sociological Focus, and an edited collection entitled Japan in the Bluegrass (P.P. Karan, editor; University Press of Kentucky, 2001). Professor Hougland is Past Chair (2001-02) of the American Sociological Association’s Section on Sociological Practice and Past President of the Society for Applied Sociology. He currently serves as an elected member of the Commission on Applied and Clinical Sociology. He is committed to applying sociological insights and research methodologies to assist with the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data useful for educational and public policy decisions.