Regarding use of the media, spin can best be defined as
a. casting a positive light on negative facts.
b. deliberately fabricating information.
c. meaningless arguments.
d. arguments based on emotion rather than reason

The answer is  a but spin can refer to making a partial interpretation on the facts in either a good or bad by some organizations to sway public opinion or favor.  Usually this is used by public officials when promoting their programs and projects to the people.  They print publications that show the advantages of their programs can do for the public.  Today even the media have their spin certain news and events that they cover.  Some tend to be liberal in their point of view while others tend to be more conservative.

The best sociological research method would have to be using experiments although it has some disadvantages as well