Postmodernism and The Values Debate Flashcards
postmodernism & values
this debate is pointless/meaningless
postmodernism & values - lyotard & baudrillard
- no objective truth
- all knowledge is socially constructed
- involving values is relative and equally valid
postmodernism & values - what is this debate about and what does it reflect?
reflects the values/assumptions of competing sociologists
attempt by groups who have the power to establish their interpretation as the only valid approach to studying society
postmodernism & values - metanarrative
claims its understanding of the world is better than other forms of knowledge
dealing with values - what type of evidence should sociologists produce?
reliable
valid
fullest explanation of social life
dealing with values - what data should not be taken seriously?
data selectively collected to promote political beliefs
dealing with values - can sociology escape the influence of values?
yes
but it doesn’t mean its value-laden and worthless
dealing with values - why shouldn’t and can’t values be avoided?
reflects what the sociologists think is important
sociologists should tackle research with an open mind
evidence should be considered in a detached way
dealing with values - what research method should be used to not effect data collection?
systematic research methods
values can not be allowed to enter the research process
dealing with values - what should conclusions be based on?
evidence
dealing with values - values should be considered when examining what?
ethics of research
ethical considerations depend on moral values of researcher
dealing with values - what do sociologists have a responsibility to?
avoid harm caused by research
dealing with values - what do researchers need to be clear about?
their values
any manipulation of results can be checked
dealing with values - findings should be open to what?
inspection, criticism, debate & testing by other researchers
