7. Values and Ethics Flashcards
Values in research
The ideas and beliefs that the researcher has, and how this affects the research
Why is it hard for sociology to be value-free?
Because sociologists are human beings who belong in society, so they do hold their own beliefs, values and opinions
2 sociologists and 1 theory that beliefs sociology should be value-free
Comte and Durkheim
Positivists
What did early socioligists view the role of sociology as being?
Early sociologists such as Comte and Durkheim saw the role of sociology as discovering the truth about how society works and how to improve it
The only way for sociology to be value-free according to Comte and Durkheim
It can only be value-free is it adopts the same scientific method of investigation as that of the natural sciences
Why do positivists hold the view that sociology can be value-free?
Because they believe that valid information can be collected objectively and scientifically
What is of central importance to positivists?
Objectivity
What information do positivists want sociology to provide?
Factual information that is free from the researcher’s personal beliefs or values
What do scientific methods help to produce?
They help to produce objective, factual and valid knowledge of social behaviour
Why do positivists favour quantitative methods?
Because they aren’t influenced at all by personal opinion/preference
Viewpoint of value-laden sociology
Whether it’s desirable or not, sociology cannot be value-free and it is a mistake to see it such
What is the argument for value-free sociology partially based on according to Gouldner?
The argument for value-free sociology is partially based on a particular historical context
How does Weber believe sociology can be value-free?
He believed that personal and political values should be excluded from research.
Sociologists should change their theories if the findings of their research don’t fit their original theory.
To Weber, sociologists should not be involved in using research to argue for particular values or policies
What do the values of the research impact inevitably according to Weber?
They inevitably impact the topic of research they choose
How does Gouldner link Weber’s ideas to historical context?
He claims that Weber was writing at the time that the Prussian government was attacking intellectual freedom so he was just trying to prevent the government from interfering with sociology by claiming that it was value-free
How do funding bodies have an impact on values being implemented into sociology? (Value-laden)
Findings bodies may only find research that benefits them in some way. They are unlikely to not involve their own opinions/values when it comes to choosing to fund research
How can career trajectories influence the values of research according to Gouldner?
All sociologists want their research to be published and this desire may have an affect on their research
Why is it impossible for sociology to be value-free according to value-laden sociology?
Ultimately no matter how hard sociologists try to eliminate their values from their research, all our thoughts and actions are based on a particular set of values and it’s impossible to escape from these
What does the chosen research topic often reflect? (Value-laden)
The chosen topic often reflects personal issues of the researcher and a desire to explore something important to them
Example of a sociologist who claimed it was right for his values to influence his research (value-laden)
Ken Plummer had punished lots of sexual issues and had claimed his sexual presences encouraged him to study gay issues
How do postmodernists bring the whole issue of values to the value-laden approach?
Postmodernists, such as Lyotard and Baudrillard, argue that the whole process of sociological and scientific thinking is based on a series of values about the nature of society
What do postmodernists say about scientific thinking.
They say that it is just one of many ways of approaching an understanding of the world and that is doesn’t inherently provide the truth
Two tactics to value-laden sociology developed by postmodernists
Reflexivity: sociologists should include information about themselves in their research
Narratives: different viewpoints should be heard in the research
Viewpoint of committed sociology
Sociology should not be value-free but should have some explicit values guiding its approach to study
Who are the biggest advocates of committed sociology?
Critical sociologists (such as Marxists and feminists)
What has committed sociology allowed to be challenged?
Thanks to committed sociology, issues such as racism, gender equality and homophobia have been challenged
Difference between liberal and radical perspectives
Liberals argue that sociology should be sympathetic towards the disadvantaged and the oppressed.
Radicals focus specifically on those with power and place emphasis on social structure
Who reflects the differences between liberals and radicals?
Disagreements between Becker (liberal - L) and Gouldner (radical - R) reflect the differences between radical and liberal perspectives
Differences in Becker and Goulder’s approaches
Becker was the originator of the labelling theory and takes the side of the ‘underdogs’ in society as the theory focuses on how these groups are labelled and targeted.
Gouldner disagreed with Becker, arguing that the labelling theory blames the ‘middle dogs’ and fails to hold the really powerful groups accountable
What is the role of sociology according to committed Marxist Althusser?
To uncover the ways in which the ruling class control the mass of the population. Marxists hope to achieve the breakdown of capitalism by exposing its flaws
4 elements of feminist research according to Hammersley
- Start with belief that subordination of women runs though all areas of society
- Women’s feelings and personal experiences should for basis of all analysis
- Subjects of research should be drawn in to help interpret data
- Success of research should be measured in line with overall aim of feminism - the emancipation of women
