13TM values in research

?
what does value free mean?
to remove any personal beliefs, prejudice and opinions from the study of sociology
1 of 27
what are the three beliefs about using values in research?
it is possible to keep your values out
it is impossible to keep your views out
it is desirable to include your views
2 of 27
what did early positivists Durkheim and Comte believe about values?
sociology can be value free that it was possible to keep your values out of your research
3 of 27
what did early positivists believe the role of sociology was?
to discover the truth about how society works and to use the information from research to improve society through social policy
4 of 27
how did they say sociology can be value free?
sociology is a science - therefore value free
inductive reasoning (observing and finding patterns which become social facts whether we like it or not)
quantitative research - allows detachment and less chance of invalid results
5 of 27
what is a criticism of early positivism?
values can contaminate research without people knowing
by using a scientific method with a hypothesis it can cause the results to be biased by preventing the researcher from going in with an open mind
6 of 27
what did modern positivists in the 20th century believe?
that sociology should be value free and it is possible to leave values out of research
7 of 27
what are the two reasons why modern positivists argue that sociology should be value free?
1. appearing as a science
2. increasing research opportunities
8 of 27
why did modern positivists want sociology to be seen as a science?
natural science doesn't involve the values of the scientist and has a high academic status which sociology would get if it was classed as a science
9 of 27
when did organisations start to approach sociologists with research jobs?
the 1950s - Gouldner
10 of 27
how did the research opportunities affect the involvement of values?
sociologists would hide their views so that it wouldn't put off any opportunities for research
11 of 27
what are some criticisms of modern positivists?
Becker - sociology should involve values to help the underdog
Myrdal and Gouldner - including values is the purpose of sociology, without them the researcher isn't a sociologist
Weber - it is important to include values and make them clear
12 of 27
why does funding mean that sociology can't be value free?
the funding body often controls the research they pay for
the researcher may keep quiet about their views or manipulate the results to get the desired results of the paymaster
13 of 27
what does gouldner argue?
all research is influences by some form of values whether it is the researchers or the funding body's
14 of 27
what does Myrdal argue?
it is impossible to keep values out of research because if the researchers values aren't involved, the funding body's values will be involved
15 of 27
what did committed sociologists believe about involving values?
sociology shouldn't be value free - sociologists should make their values clear
16 of 27
what did Myrdal and Gouldner argue?
it is neither possible or desirable to keep values out
impossible - all research includes some form of value
undesirable - without including values, they are no longer a sociologist as they aren't researching to change society
17 of 27
what did Gouldner say about the purpose of research?
it should be focused on powerful groups that create oppression in society to end the exploitation of the socially disadvantaged
18 of 27
what did Weber say about including values in research?
sociology should include values - all sociologists have a moral responsibility to include their views to make sure their research is not used for anything which is against their beliefs
19 of 27
how did Einsteins values differ from his research?
his scientific research helped to develop nuclear weapons which he spoke out against
20 of 27
when did weber say values should be included in research?
choosing a topic and research method, concluding on the research and making use of the research
21 of 27
when did weber say values should not be included in research?
when collecting the data and carrying out the research to ensure the findings were valid
22 of 27
what did Becker say about involving values in sociology?
sociology should involve values - without choosing a side, we are siding with the more powerful
23 of 27
what did Becker say the purpose of sociological research should be?
helping those who are disadvantaged in some way and giving them a voice - the underdog
24 of 27
why do members of different theories want to involve their values in their research?
so that they can make their views and research findings clear and use this to change society
25 of 27
how will feminist values affect their research?
feminists will want to research gender inequality to prove their belief that society is patriarchal - they will want this evidence to be used to reduce patriarchy in society
26 of 27
what are some criticisms that sociology should be value free?
modern positivists - without being value free sociology won't get the academic recognition of science
Weber - when carrying out research, values should be left out to make the findings valid
27 of 27

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

what are the three beliefs about using values in research?

Back

it is possible to keep your values out
it is impossible to keep your views out
it is desirable to include your views

Card 3

Front

what did early positivists Durkheim and Comte believe about values?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

what did early positivists believe the role of sociology was?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

how did they say sociology can be value free?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »See all Sociological theory resources »