topic 4: objectivity and values in sociology

Question 1

what did Weber make a distinction between?

Answer 1

made a distinction between what is a fact and values. e.g. research shows divorcees more likely to commit suicide, leads us to a value of making divorce harder-nothing compels us to accept his.

Question 2

what are the four stages of the research processes ?

Answer 2

1. values as a guide to research- took the idea of phenomenology that society has infinite facts, researcher pick value relevance e.g. feminism and gender equality.
2. data collection/hypothesis-keep values out of the process e.g. not ask leading questions.
3. interpreting data-must be explicit values so others can spot an unconscious bias.
4. sociology as a citizen- must dodge political and moral issues e.g. Einstein speaking out about nuclear weapons.

Question 3

what do modern position believe is irrelevant to research and why?

Answer 3

they argue that their own values were irrelevant to research because:

1. sociologists should remain morally neutral, establish the truth and not judge it.
2. Goulder -leaving own values behind to please the paymasters- not taking moral responsibilities like weber suggested

Question 4

why does Myrdal contrast to positivists?

Answer 4

Myrdal argues that sociologists should openly take sides.

Question 5

what does Goulder suggest about value free sociology?

Answer 5

value free sociology is impossible and undesirable due to pay makers being being reflected in their work

Question 6

what does Becker is always present in sociology and what does he argue that sociology should become?

Answer 6

values. sociology should become passionate and give underdogs a voice.

Question 7

why does Goulder criticise Becker

Answer 7

romantic approach to disadvantaged groups, should instead un mask the powerful

Question 8

why do sociologists work embody the pay makers?

Answer 8

often, the body that pays for the research controls the direction it takes and the kind of question it askes and fails to ask

Question 9

how might the pay makers values influence the researcher?

Answer 9

may influence choice of researcher, research question and how to interpret their findings.

Question 10

how do different perspectives embody value of how society should be ?

Answer 10

feminists-see society as based on gender inequalities/promote the rights of women.
Marxists- see society as conflict ridden and strives for a classless society.
functionalists- see society as harmonious and exposes conservative values that favour the status quo.

Question 11

sum up the argument about relativism?

Answer 11

in sociology postmodernists take a relativists view of knowledge. Reject the idea that only one account of the social world is more superior than another. all knowledge is based on values and assumptions, no perspective has a special claim to be true. relativism seems to be self defeating as it claims to be telling the truth while saying that no one can tell the truth.