YR2 DEBATE: value freedom / objectivity

Question 1

what question does this debate generally ask? value freedom / objectivity

Answer 1

is it possible and/or desirable for sociologists to achieve complete value freedom and objectivity in their research?

Question 2

How many (main) perspectives look at the value freedom / objectivity debate, and who are they?

Answer 2

4:
-positivists
-interpretivists
-Weber
-Committed Sociology

Question 3

Give at least 1 example of a positivist who commented on the value freedom / objectivity debate.

Answer 3

Durkheim / Comte

Question 4

Summarise what positivists believe about value-free research.

Answer 4

-think it COULD + SHOULD be value free.
-sociological research will uncover the ‘ objective ‘ laws of how social systems work, which already exist, independently of the researcher. all the researcher is doing is uncovering ‘social facts’ that exist out there in the world
-should be value free as the objective knowledge revealed, could be used to improve society. If values are involved it may not impact social policy.

Question 5

Summarise what interpretivists believe about value-free and objective research

Answer 5

-they challenge the idea of the possibility of absolute objectivity
-human experiences are inherently subjective & complex, making complete objectivity impossible to achieve.
-Attempting to eliminate all values from research is impractical and undesirable.
-Instead, researchers should acknowledge their subjectivity + the influence of their values on the research process.

Question 6

in brief terms, what side does Max Weber take in the objectivity / value freedom debate?

Answer 6

middle ground

Question 7

whsummarise what Weber believes about value freedom and objectivity in sociological research.

Answer 7

-values are essential in enabling us to select which topic to study
-our values should also guide our interpretation of data
-however, these values should be kept out of the data collection + hypothesis testing.

Question 8

What 3 sociologists argue for a ‘Committed Sociology’?

Answer 8

MYRDAL, GOULDNER, BECKER

Question 9

In a brief sentence, what does a ‘committed sociology’ argue for researchers to do. Value freedom / objectivity debate

Answer 9

TAKE ONE SIDE OF THE RESEARCH AND COMMITT TO IT.

Question 10

what does Myrdal say about Committed Sociology? Value freedom / objectivity debate

Answer 10

sociologists should SPELL OUT THEIR VALUES + openly take sides by actively supporting the values and interests of certain groups.

Question 11

what does Gouldner say about Committed Sociology? Value freedom / objectivity debate

Answer 11

-Value freedom is impossible + undesirable as without values to guide research, sociologists are going to sell their services to whoever pays them the most money.
-Therefore spell out your values and openly take sides.
-Take the sides of those ‘FIGHTING BACK’

Question 12

what does Becker say about Committed Sociology? Value freedom / objectivity debate

Answer 12

-Traditionally, it is the viewpoint of powerful groups that are often represented in sociology.
-Sociologists should adopt a compassionate stance and take the side of the ‘underdogs’ instead of the ‘overdogs’. Their story needs to be told to balance things out.

Question 12

Why must we also consider funding and careers as a factor into the value freedom / objectivity debate?

Answer 12

-sociologists work is likely to embody the values and interests of their ‘paymasters’ (funding body).
-Sociologists may also wish to further their career and this may influence their choice of topic