Questions: Emile Durkheim ignored accepted explanations of the suicide rate and instead relied on which of the following? - common sense - careful scientific research - the opinions of those he trusted - divine inspiration

The answer is: careful scientific research.

Explanation for each option:

1. Common sense: This is incorrect. Emile Durkheim did not rely on common sense to explain the suicide rate. Instead, he sought to move beyond simplistic and anecdotal explanations.

2. Careful scientific research: This is correct. Durkheim is renowned for his methodological approach to sociology. In his seminal work "Suicide" (1897), he used statistical data and a rigorous scientific method to analyze the social factors influencing suicide rates.

3. The opinions of those he trusted: This is incorrect. Durkheim's approach was empirical and based on data rather than relying on subjective opinions, even those of trusted individuals.

4. Divine inspiration: This is incorrect. Durkheim's work was grounded in positivism and scientific inquiry, not in religious or divine explanations.

Durkheim's approach was pioneering in the field of sociology because he applied a systematic and empirical method to study social phenomena, which helped establish sociology as a distinct and respected academic discipline.