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THEORY: Values and Ethics in Sociology (Weber (Crucial difference between…
THEORY: Values and Ethics in Sociology
Sociology is value free- research doesn't include the personal views of the researcher.
Objectivity
Refers to a researcher (sociologist) conducting research without letting views and opinions influence research. If done successfully then it's objective.
Social facts
Social facts referred to by positivists are statistics obtained through using quantitative research methods, e.g. questionnaires, structured interviews, etc.
O'Connell et al. claimed personal opinions and biases are irrelevant, providing research is designed and carried out correctly.
Comte, Durkheim and Marx
Sociological influences such as Comte, Durkheim and Marx argued society is shaped by value and opinions. Therefore sociologists don't need to worry about incorporating personal values into their research as these values have nothing to do with individual.
20th Century Positivists
Sociology is a science so aim to discover truths about society, not judgements.
Sociologists have been found by governments to conduct research on social problems to solve issues, meaning in theory sociologists could walk away from research once completed it, seeing it as a job.
Claim this means own opinions and values are unimportant in research as it's been conducted simply for governments use so don't need to incorporate own views/values.
Sociology is value laden- incorporate own personal views and opinions into research.
Weber
Crucial difference between facts are discovered through research and value judgements attached to those facts. Certain times when value judgements are needed in sociology.
When choosing which area to study must be some interest in this area for them to choose it.
How the Sociologist interprets the data collected.
Choosing how to use the findings
Research process itself must be and can be kept value free but process leading up to research can't.
Career trajectories
Gouldner- All sociologists have personal ambitions and career goals wanting published, be promoted and renowned in their field, so desires can intrude research, consciously or subconsciously. Likely to have impact on sociologists as encourages them to study subjects which are 'fashionable' at that time.
Sociology shouldn't be value free but value laden
Committed sociologists- some sociologists argued we shouldn't try to remove values from sociology as important part of understanding social world.
Marxist feminists- deliberating choose research with end use approved of- choose certain area of social world because either interested or think it'll be useful for society. Argue sociology should be value laden and judgements should be made about social world in order to make society better and overcome social issues.
Example: Feminists researched police and how they respond to domestic abuse- they've used research to attempt to update and change policies and laws about domestic violence.
Becker
Sociologists take the side of the underdogs in society (less power).
If research committed, involves taking sides. Argued it's a good thing if sociologists take sides with less powerful groups in society, such as criminals and mentally ill. Interpretivists like idea as allows understand motivations and feelings.
Postmodernism
Whole process of sociological research is based on series of values about nature of society. 2 tactics adopted in understanding social values and value judgements.
Reflexivity: Sociologists include info about themselves and their roles when constructing research aand seeking to show how influenced it.
Narratives: different view points and voices that research allows to be heard in research and can influence this.
The relativist perspective
Every culture in society has own values and beliefs- every culture believes own are true.
There's no objective way of conducting research as no way of knowing which are true or not.
Means we can never have objective picture of society because research always depends on what researcher believes to be true.