Values in Sociology Flashcards
Can’t be value free - Becker labelling theory
Becker - labelling theory - can’t and shouldn’t be value free - need to be compassionate about the underdogs. Understand them so we can help them and not the rich. Help give the underdogs a voice.
Can be value free - positivists
Positivists - when researching quantitatively through experiments/surveys - objective, deductive,
Can’t be value free - Gouldner
Gouldner - can’t be value free. It’s impossible to not put own values or that of the paymaster. It’s undesirable as otherwise research will be given to highest bider - may not have outcome they want
Can be value free - Durkheim and Comte
Durkheim and Comte see their research as finding social facts - social laws discover the truth objectively to say what is best for society. eg looking into reason for suicide
A03 - human have free will, natural sciences don’t. Can’t analyse them in the same way
Can be value free -
Weber
Sociology should have values when deciding what to research as it has a direct effect on people’s lives through policy making however once a research method is chosen should remain objective:
Values as a guide to research
Data collection and hypothesis testing - when collecting data keep values out. Once gathered the facts we can use them to test hypothesis.
Values in interpretation - sociologists need to make their perspective clear so others can judge whether its bias or not
Values and the sociologists as a citizen - sociologists are citizens should take moral responsibility for implications of their research and the harm it might do.
How sociology has values put in it:
Choice of topic - your values or the paymaster
Choice of research method - choosing qualitative or quantitive data
During the research - choosing sample method will have values, how you ask eg leading question
Publication of results - done by gov or private company, money
A03 - critics by how these things can be made objective
