Is Sociology value free?

Question 1

What is Value Freedom?

Answer 1

Free from researcher bias: measured objectively so that the researcher’s opinion will not effect the results.

Question 2

What do Comte and Durkheim suggest?

Answer 2

That sociology can be value-free = unbiased and objective.
Methods can be used that involve very little researcher involvement, high in reliability, etc. E.g: official statistics, content analysis.

Question 3

Evaluation of Comte and Durkheim:

Answer 3

• Interpretivists suggest that it cannot be value free as you are already imposing your view on others by making the questions. However, methods like observations are more value free as you observe natural behaviour directly.
• Durkheim losing his son to suicide motivated him to study the topic, so not purely value free.

Question 4

What does Weber suggest?

Answer 4

You can only be value free once you have chosen your topic, as values will influence your choice of study due to only choosing to study what you feel passionate about.

“Value judgements” should not be made (commenting about whether society is good or bad).

Question 5

Evaluation of Weber:

Answer 5

• Feminists argue that sociology is not value-free as it reflects male biases: biased against women and serves as an ideological justification for the male dominance of women.
• Sociology should challenge male patriarchy and inequality. E.g: Oakley’s study on division of labour, Dobash DV.

Question 6

What do Interpretivists suggest?

Answer 6

Sociology is NOT value free and it shouldn’t be.

Sociology is meant to be subjective, therefore value freedom is not possible. Motives, emotions, reasons, etc are often explored therefore it’s hard to be value free. E.g: unstructured interviews of Dobash and Dobash, lasted for up to 12 hours.

Question 7

Evaluation of Interpretivism:

Answer 7

• Postmodernists believe that it is not free from personal values as everybody has values that influence their actions. Researchers should admit their values.

Getting funding, choosing the topic, the choice of method and data analysis all revolve around what you think is best/your feelings and experiences.

Question 8

What does Kuhn suggest?

Answer 8

Sociology cannot be value free as you are always influenced by the paradigm of the time.

• Influenced by dominant paradigm as paradigms shape the questions asked, methods used, etc.
• E.g: labelling theory shaped sociological research in the 60s as it was popular at the time, and now Postmodernism is popular.

Question 9

Evaluation of Kuhn:

Answer 9

• The New Right argues that sociology is left-wing propaganda, so not value free. E.g: Marxism. Argue that it is a destructive force by ignoring the benefits of capitalism.

Question 10

Conclusion - Becker and Gouldner:

Answer 10

• Becker agues that we must take the side of the disadvantaged ‘underdog’, fighting for the powerless, marginalised groups. So sociology is not value free.
• Gouldner argues that value freedom is the excuse some sociologists give in order to justify their decision to do morally questionable research. E.g: sociologists paid by tobacco companies to help research ways of selling more cigarettes.
• Should have a clear value-commitment to improving the lives of the oppressed. Must actively PROTECT the underdog rather than just seeing the world through their POV.