Objectivity ans values Flashcards
what is a value
important beliefs that often guide our actions
What is this debate
there are three stances as to whether values should influence sociological research
what are the three stances
committed sociologists (values)
Weber ( value laden)
classical sociologist ( value free)
who believe that sociology should be value free and objective
Durkheim and comte
Why do come and Durkheim think soc should be value free
they believe the enlightenment can only be achieved through progressivism, the use of measurable scientific data
making sociology appear more respectable
Durkheim study of suicide
His study was claimed to be free from his personal beliefs and values
suggesting he was detached from the research
Weber and value laden
believe that values do have a place in research but not always
Values as a guide to research
sociologists actively choose the areas of society they want to study and this is guided by there values
Data collection
should be value free
as if not false data could be retrieved to benefit the researcher
interpretation of data
should have values
drawing conclusions based on the position of the sociologist
sociologist as the citizen
the researcher must not hide behind their research
should be morally accountable for the impact of their findings
who are committed sociologist
they want to conduct research that helps society and believe values should be involved
who are the three committed sociologist
Gouldner
Mydral
Becker
What did sociologist become according to Gouldner
Problem takers
work on behalf of organisations to take on and solve problems
Why does Gouldner say it’s impossible to be value free
because the sociologist values are bound to reflect on the work
Why is it undesirable to be value free
without values sociologists are merely pitting their services at the disposal of the highest bidder
What does Mydral say about values
that sociologists should take sides
What does Becker say about values
that sociologist always takes sides
traditionally the side of the powerful
Becker says we should take the side of the UNDERDOG
Funding bodies and values
pressure to pursue certain topics
benefiting the interests of the organisations
Who’s says there are plural truths
Relativism
what perspective is similar to postmodernism
Relativism
