Theory and Methods

Question 1

Define social policy

Answer 1

Legislation enforced by the government to deal with social problems and ‘encourage’ certain behaviour.

Question 2

What is positivism?

Answer 2

The view that sociology should use quantitative methods and aim to identify/measure social structures.

Question 3

What is interpretivism?

Answer 3

The view that sociology should use qualitative methods of research to understand how people interpret the social world and how that effects their behaviour

Question 4

What are the 9 ways sociology contributes to social policy.

Answer 4

Identify cultural differences
Provide self awareness 
Changing assumptions
Provide theoretical framework 
Provide practical and professional knowledge 
Identify social problems
Provide evidence 
Identify consequences
Assess results of social policy

Question 5

What arguments are given for sociology to have a role in social policy?

Answer 5

Feminists are value committed, therefore they view social policy as a way of tackling serious issues and inequality to improve the lives of individuals in society and avoid powerful groups from manipulating policies to benefit from them.
Research requires funding, policy making organisations have large budgets that can fund research.

Question 6

What are arguments against sociology being involved in social policy?

Answer 6

Funding bodies can affect research topic and publication
Postmodernist Bauman & May argue sociology cannot provide a universal truth and so its influence in social policy will only impose the sociologists values on society rather than contribute to social understanding and social development