Is sociology a science?
- Created by: Bellakb2002
- Created on: 01-06-20 11:06
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- IS SOCIOLOGY A SCIENCE?
- How are sciences defined?
- EMPIRICAL: based on fact - this information can be counted/ measured
- DATA-DRIVEN
- scientific methods can be used - data, statistics ect,.
- TESTABLE: able to be tested/tried - these are able to be repeated.
- experiments can't really be repeated - society changes
- THEORETICAL based on theory rather than experience/practice. - these are explained, not just described
- CUMULATIVE: building on previous knowledge
- some theories build on each other - structural functionalism
- most theories are in conflict with each other - don't build on knowledge
- OBJECTIVE: not influenced by personal feelings/ opinions - not biased
- can be bias based on political beliefs - marxism.
- EMPIRICAL: based on fact - this information can be counted/ measured
- POPPER
- FALSIFICATION
- instead of proving something is right, science uses falsification
- FALSIFICATION
- KUHN
- PARADIGMS
- Science operates within a paradigm - an accepted framework of concepts and procedures.
- eg, commonly accepted theories - big bang, ect
- DO SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE THE SAME SHARED VIEWS ON SOCIETY?
- social paradigms could occur over time.
- sociology does not fit - conflicting perspectives
- DO SOCIOLOGISTS HAVE THE SAME SHARED VIEWS ON SOCIETY?
- IS SCIENCE EVEN A SCIENCE?
- FEYERBEND (1975)
- paradigms restrict new ideas emerging if they don't fit with what is already considered acceptable - eg, homeopathic medicines
- FEYERBEND (1975)
- eg, commonly accepted theories - big bang, ect
- Science operates within a paradigm - an accepted framework of concepts and procedures.
- PARADIGMS
- KEAT AND URRY
- REALISM
- Within science, there are variables that can be controlled to ensure accuracy + reliability.
- closed system
- things can be controlled and precise measurements can be taken - lab experiments
- open system
- not everything can be controlled - difficult to ensure accuracy - seismologists, volcanologist, meteorologists
- open systems used in sociology are used in other sciences
- not everything can be controlled - difficult to ensure accuracy - seismologists, volcanologist, meteorologists
- closed system
- Within science, there are variables that can be controlled to ensure accuracy + reliability.
- REALISM
- VALUE FREEDOM
- POSITIVISM
- SOCIOLOGY IS A SCIENCE
- August Comte + Emile Durkheim
- Sociology could+should be value free
- the objective laws of social sstems are being uncovered - these are independent of the people researching them.
- Being value free is crucial - the uncovered laws could be used to uncover the principles of a good society
- can be used by the govt. to improve society - won't be taken seriously if not value free
- Durkheim's study of suicide (1899)
- quantitative research + uncovering macro trends
- One of these objective laws was that too high/low levels of social integration+ regulation = an increased suicide rate.
- believed further research would be able to uncover how much of what types of integration caused the suicide rate to change.- eg, if higher divorce rates /unemployment rates impacted the suicide rates
- One of these objective laws was that too high/low levels of social integration+ regulation = an increased suicide rate.
- quantitative research + uncovering macro trends
- Sociology could+should be value free
- August Comte + Emile Durkheim
- SOCIOLOGY IS A SCIENCE
- INTERPRETIVISM
- SOCIOLOGY IS NOT A SCIENCE
- Gomm
- A value free sociology is impossible.
- Sociologists react to political, economic + social events - what is seen as an issue is dependent on the power of different groups to define/shape reality
- important to look at what sociologists do not research, just as much as what they do
- social research always has social+moral implications - political nature
- when sociologists attempt to be value free, they adopt another set of values
- Sociologists react to political, economic + social events - what is seen as an issue is dependent on the power of different groups to define/shape reality
- A value free sociology is impossible.
- Gouldner
- impossible to be free of some forms of value judgement
- when sociologists attempt to be value free, they adopt another set of values
- impossible to be free of some forms of value judgement
- Becker
- Since all knowledge is political - serves some interest at the expense of others - sociologists need to choose sides - decide which interests sociological knowledge should serve - should be the disadvantaged
- Gomm
- SOCIOLOGY IS NOT A SCIENCE
- The researcher's ability to keep personal values interfering with the research process.
- POSITIVISM
- How are sciences defined?
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