Is sociology a science?

Created by: Abbie Broadbent
Created on: 13-03-15 12:04

Desirable that sociology should be scientific, sociology is deductive. Should be scientific if set of methodological procedures are followed. Sociology can't deliver final truth - always possible for falsification (example of black swans).

Popper

1 of 5

Scientists are less objective than they claim. Study of rats - unexplained features put down as result of research not the rat's brains. Unexplained features influenced by existing theories, what they were looking for and what they expected to find.

Lynch

2 of 5

Science is not objective pursuit of knowledge but characterised by commitment to paradigm. Science can't exist without shared paradigm - until shared consensus on paradigm, there will be only school rivals of thought. Sociology is pre-paradigmatic.

Kuhn

3 of 5

Difference between closed and open systems as objects of scientific study. Closed systems - relevant variables controlled. Many areas where variables can't be controlled - same is true of sociology

Sayer

4 of 5

Science studies things that cannot be observed.

Keat and Urry

5 of 5

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Back

Lynch

Card 3

Front

Back

Card 4

Front

Difference between closed and open systems as objects of scientific study. Closed systems - relevant variables controlled. Many areas where variables can't be controlled - same is true of sociology

Back

Card 5

Front

Science studies things that cannot be observed.

Back

Similar Sociology resources:

See all Sociology resources »

See all Sociological theory resources »

Get Revising

Is sociology a science?