Researcher values

Question 1

What is objectivity

Answer 1

This involves value freedom and lack of bias.
it means that the research process and findings are not influenced by the researchers values - their moral , political or religious beliefs.

Question 2

What is subjectivity

Answer 2

the opposite of objectivity

Question 3

Who support subjectivity

Answer 3

-Feminists
-Postmodernists
-Interpretivists
-Some marxists

Question 4

Who support objectivity

Answer 4

-Positivists

Question 5

Feminists view on subjectivity and objectivity

Answer 5

Feminists argue that feminist research cannot be value free they must positively identify with the women they are studying.

• Maria Mies argues that the value to truth involves the opposite of value freedom.It requires a wholehearted commitment to women’s liberation.

Question 6

Postmodernists view on subjectivity and objectivity

Answer 6

-They view objectivity as a myth
-They reject the idea that its possible to produce valid knowledge. instead they argue that all knowledge produced in sociology is relative and uncertain rather than absolute.
-Everyone has values and these influence what they do

Question 7

Positivists view on subjectivity and objectivity

Answer 7

Positivists believe that all sociology should be value free. This goes hand in hand with the idea of sociology being a science, because they consider an important aspect of science is unbiased objectivity.

-They argue that sociology should be value free at all stages of the process: choice of topic, research design, research method, analysis and presentation of results

Question 8

Interpretivists view on on subjectivity and objectivity

Answer 8

-Subjective
-interpretivist sociologists are interested in the subjective views and interpretations of their subjects, believing that it is impossible to objectively establish social facts.