7. Values and Ethics

Question 1

Values in research

Answer 1

The ideas and beliefs that the researcher has, and how this affects the research

Question 2

Why is it hard for sociology to be value-free?

Answer 2

Because sociologists are human beings who belong in society, so they do hold their own beliefs, values and opinions

Question 3

2 sociologists and 1 theory that beliefs sociology should be value-free

Answer 3

Comte and Durkheim
Positivists

Question 4

What did early socioligists view the role of sociology as being?

Answer 4

Early sociologists such as Comte and Durkheim saw the role of sociology as discovering the truth about how society works and how to improve it

Question 5

The only way for sociology to be value-free according to Comte and Durkheim

Answer 5

It can only be value-free is it adopts the same scientific method of investigation as that of the natural sciences

Question 6

Why do positivists hold the view that sociology can be value-free?

Answer 6

Because they believe that valid information can be collected objectively and scientifically

Question 7

What is of central importance to positivists?

Answer 7

Objectivity

Question 8

What information do positivists want sociology to provide?

Answer 8

Factual information that is free from the researcher’s personal beliefs or values

Question 9

What do scientific methods help to produce?

Answer 9

They help to produce objective, factual and valid knowledge of social behaviour

Question 10

Why do positivists favour quantitative methods?

Answer 10

Because they aren’t influenced at all by personal opinion/preference

Question 11

Viewpoint of value-laden sociology

Answer 11

Whether it’s desirable or not, sociology cannot be value-free and it is a mistake to see it such

Question 12

What is the argument for value-free sociology partially based on according to Gouldner?

Answer 12

The argument for value-free sociology is partially based on a particular historical context

Question 13

How does Weber believe sociology can be value-free?

Answer 13

He believed that personal and political values should be excluded from research.
Sociologists should change their theories if the findings of their research don’t fit their original theory.
To Weber, sociologists should not be involved in using research to argue for particular values or policies

Question 14

What do the values of the research impact inevitably according to Weber?

Answer 14

They inevitably impact the topic of research they choose

Question 15

How does Gouldner link Weber’s ideas to historical context?

Answer 15

He claims that Weber was writing at the time that the Prussian government was attacking intellectual freedom so he was just trying to prevent the government from interfering with sociology by claiming that it was value-free

Question 16

How do funding bodies have an impact on values being implemented into sociology? (Value-laden)

Answer 16

Findings bodies may only find research that benefits them in some way. They are unlikely to not involve their own opinions/values when it comes to choosing to fund research

Question 17

How can career trajectories influence the values of research according to Gouldner?

Answer 17

All sociologists want their research to be published and this desire may have an affect on their research

Question 18

Why is it impossible for sociology to be value-free according to value-laden sociology?

Answer 18

Ultimately no matter how hard sociologists try to eliminate their values from their research, all our thoughts and actions are based on a particular set of values and it’s impossible to escape from these

Question 19

What does the chosen research topic often reflect? (Value-laden)

Answer 19

The chosen topic often reflects personal issues of the researcher and a desire to explore something important to them

Question 20

Example of a sociologist who claimed it was right for his values to influence his research (value-laden)

Answer 20

Ken Plummer had punished lots of sexual issues and had claimed his sexual presences encouraged him to study gay issues

Question 21

How do postmodernists bring the whole issue of values to the value-laden approach?

Answer 21

Postmodernists, such as Lyotard and Baudrillard, argue that the whole process of sociological and scientific thinking is based on a series of values about the nature of society

Question 22

What do postmodernists say about scientific thinking.

Answer 22

They say that it is just one of many ways of approaching an understanding of the world and that is doesn’t inherently provide the truth

Question 23

Two tactics to value-laden sociology developed by postmodernists

Answer 23

Reflexivity: sociologists should include information about themselves in their research
Narratives: different viewpoints should be heard in the research

Question 24

Viewpoint of committed sociology

Answer 24

Sociology should not be value-free but should have some explicit values guiding its approach to study

Question 25

Who are the biggest advocates of committed sociology?

Answer 25

Critical sociologists (such as Marxists and feminists)

Question 26

What has committed sociology allowed to be challenged?

Answer 26

Thanks to committed sociology, issues such as racism, gender equality and homophobia have been challenged

Question 27

Difference between liberal and radical perspectives

Answer 27

Liberals argue that sociology should be sympathetic towards the disadvantaged and the oppressed.
Radicals focus specifically on those with power and place emphasis on social structure

Question 28

Who reflects the differences between liberals and radicals?

Answer 28

Disagreements between Becker (liberal - L) and Gouldner (radical - R) reflect the differences between radical and liberal perspectives

Question 29

Differences in Becker and Goulder’s approaches

Answer 29

Becker was the originator of the labelling theory and takes the side of the ‘underdogs’ in society as the theory focuses on how these groups are labelled and targeted.
Gouldner disagreed with Becker, arguing that the labelling theory blames the ‘middle dogs’ and fails to hold the really powerful groups accountable

Question 30

What is the role of sociology according to committed Marxist Althusser?

Answer 30

To uncover the ways in which the ruling class control the mass of the population. Marxists hope to achieve the breakdown of capitalism by exposing its flaws

Question 31

4 elements of feminist research according to Hammersley

Answer 31

1. Start with belief that subordination of women runs though all areas of society
2. Women’s feelings and personal experiences should for basis of all analysis
3. Subjects of research should be drawn in to help interpret data
4. Success of research should be measured in line with overall aim of feminism - the emancipation of women