# Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Institut für Soziologie

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q101261573](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101261573)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/friedrich-schiller-universitat-jena-institut-fur-soziologie

## Summary
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Institut für Soziologie is a research institute operating as part of Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Like all research institutes, its primary purpose is to conduct systematic sociological research rather than combining teaching with research activities.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a research institute type of organization with the authority ID sh85113043 (Library of Congress)
- Assigned GND ID 4017909-6 by the German National Library
- Recognized with Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification
- Part of Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes
- Headquarters located in Jena, Germany
- Has ringgold ID 236484
- Features in 41 different Wikipedia language editions globally
- Notable for being exclusively focused on research activities without teaching obligations

## FAQs
### Q: How does the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena Institut für Soziologie differ from university sociology departments?
A: Unlike university sociology departments that typically combine teaching with research, the Institut für Soziologie operates purely as a research institute without the obligation to provide undergraduate education or grant degrees, allowing for undivided focus on sociological investigation.

### Q: What makes the Institut für Soziologie distinct from think tanks?
A: While both are knowledge-producing organizations, the Institut für Soziologie focuses on fundamental sociological inquiry across various aspects of society, whereas think tanks primarily conduct policy-oriented research aimed at influencing government and public policy decisions.

### Q: How is the research institute recognized internationally?
A: The concept of a research institute, including the Institut für Soziologie, is documented in 41 different Wikipedia language editions, indicating its universal recognition and global relevance across diverse cultural and national contexts.

## Why It Matters
Research institutes like the Institut für Soziologie serve as dedicated engines of sociological discovery, free from the teaching obligations that divide university researchers' attention. By concentrating resources and talent purely on sociological investigation, these organizations advance our understanding of human societies, social structures, and social dynamics. They provide spaces where sociologists can pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within university timelines. The findings from such institutes often inform social policies, improve our understanding of social problems, and contribute to theoretical developments in sociology—addressing some of society's most pressing challenges through systematic scientific inquiry.

## Notable For
- Exclusively dedicated to sociological research activities, unlike hybrid organizations that combine teaching and research
- Pursues fundamental sociological inquiry across all aspects of society rather than specializing in policy-oriented research like think tanks
- Distinguished from sociological societies which are membership organizations rather than operational research entities
- Recognized across 41 different Wikipedia language editions, indicating global relevance of the research institute concept
- Classified with unique identifiers across multiple library and knowledge systems (Library of Congress sh85113043, German National Library GND 4017909-6)

## Body
### Classification and Identification
The Institut für Soziologie operates as a research institute, a formal classification recognized in multiple knowledge organization systems. It falls under the authority ID sh85113043 assigned by the Library of Congress and carries the GND ID 4017909-6 from the German National Library. Geographic databases identify it using the Geonames feature code S.ITTR. In library science classification, it aligns with the Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406, which covers research organizations and institutes.

### Organizational Structure
As part of Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Institut für Soziologie maintains its identity as a dedicated research unit rather than a typical university department. This structural distinction allows it to focus exclusively on sociological research without the dual mission of teaching that characterizes most university sociology departments. The headquarters of the institute is located in Jena, Germany, positioning it within the academic ecosystem of Friedrich Schiller University while maintaining its specialized research function.

### Differentiation from Similar Entities
The Institut für Soziologie is specifically differentiated from several similar types of sociological organizations. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies which operate primarily as membership organizations focused on knowledge dissemination and professional networking, the Institut für Soziologie conducts hands-on sociological investigation. It differs from think tanks in its broader disciplinary scope—while think tanks focus on policy research with specific applications, the institute pursues fundamental sociological inquiry across diverse social phenomena. The institute is also distinct from research centers, which may function as sub-units within larger organizations rather than maintaining their own dedicated identity.

### Global Recognition
The concept of research institutes, of which the Institut für Soziologie is an instance, achieves broad international recognition with documentation in 41 Wikipedia language editions including Arabic, Bengali, Catalan, Czech, German, Spanish, and numerous others. This extensive linguistic coverage demonstrates the universal applicability and recognition of the research institute as an organizational form across diverse cultural and national contexts.

### Role in the Academic Landscape
As a research institute, the Institut für Soziologie serves as a dedicated space for sociological investigation, contributing to the advancement of sociological knowledge through systematic inquiry. By concentrating resources and expertise purely on research activities, it complements the broader university ecosystem while maintaining specialized focus on sociological questions. The institute's research likely addresses fundamental questions about social structures, social change, human behavior in social contexts, and other sociological phenomena, contributing both to theoretical development and practical understanding of social issues in contemporary society.

### Knowledge Organization Systems
The Institut für Soziologie is systematically cataloged across multiple knowledge organization systems. Beyond the Library of Congress and German National Library identifiers, it carries the ringgold ID 236484 and is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes. In the academic ecosystem, it holds the clio_online_organization_id 12321, indicating its inclusion in specialized academic databases and catalogs. These multiple identifiers ensure the institute's proper classification and retrieval across different systems of academic organization and knowledge management.

## References

1. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions