Sociology + Science key concepts Flashcards
Positivism
Comet’s view-method of study based on directly observable facts, objectively measured, from which it is possible to identify cause and effect relationships and discover laws underlying social evolution
social facts
Durkheim’s view- institutions, beliefs and values of society, which although exist within individuals also exist outside of them and direct their behaviour
hypothetico-deductive model
research process associated with the physical sciences used by positivists in society
inductive approach
developing theories from evidence
deductive approach
beginning with a theory and using evidence to test that theory
falsification
process of testing a theory against evidence and showing the theory to be false
normal science
science which operates within a set paradigm
scientific revolution
the overthrow of established paradigm by a new paradigm
paradigm
a framework of concepts and theories which states how the natural world operates
realist approach
assumes that events in both the natural and social worlds are produced by underlying structures and mechanisms
closed systems
a system in which all the variables can be controlled
open systems
a system in which it isn’t possible to control all the variables
interpretive sociology
those whose approach to sociology and research emphasises understanding society by exploring the way people see society, rather than following traditional scientific analysis
grounded theory
an approach to theory constitution in which theory is generated during research
meaning
the word used by Blumer to describe the sense people make of a particular situation
