system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Is it better to teach theories first before empirical research?

Hi everyone, I am new to teaching and currently working on a module on the sociology of education, which requires students to describe, apply and evaluate both theory and empirical research.  I’m in a little bit of dilemma on how best to structure the content. I usually start by presenting data around a given topic before bringing in relevant theories to make sense of the data. However,  I am wondering whether it is is better to first introduce perspectives and then consider research that both supports and challenges those perspectives? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
gpt
Not your field, but I've had success with an illustrative case followed how different theories explain the case. Then more on the empirics. Case helps make the topic 'real' before revving analytic thinking with theories and using theories to understand the data.