Objectivity and values

Question 1

Early positivists

Answer 1

• Durkheim’s study of suicide
• Values didn’t interfere with research

Question 2

Weber

Answer 2

• There is a difference between facts and values.
• Let your values influence what you study, let your values help you make sense of it and what to do with your research.
• However, you should be objective and unbiased when collecting data, e.g. interviews. So don’t ignore data you don’t like.

Question 3

Committed sociology
Myrdal
Becker

Answer 3

• Marxists, feminists, interactionists
• You should be open about how important your values are
• Myrdal said that we should take sides, for example, feminists should take side of women.
• Becker said that we should take the side of the underdog and tell their story.

Question 4

Funding and careers

Answer 4

• Who funds the research will often get to decide what direction the research takes, what questions get asked and what don’t.
• Can even decide to block publication if they don’t agree with it.
• E.g. Sewell’s research on racism in Britain found that Britain isn’t racist, Boris Johnson specifically chose him to do this research.

Question 5

Positivists

Answer 5

• Think its possible to keep values out of research.

Question 6

Interpretivists

Answer 6

• Think it is impossible to keep values out of research.

Question 7

Committed sociologists stance

Answer 7

• Desirable to let our values influence our research.