is sociology a science? Flashcards
(10 cards)
1
Q
what is a science?
A
- application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence
- science council
2
Q
what are the 5 components of a science?
A
- empirical
- testable
- theoretical
- cumulative
- objective
3
Q
what is empirical?
A
- originating in or based on observation or experience
4
Q
what is testable?
A
- scientific exps can be repeated and retested
- hence scientific knowledge is seen as more reliable than less testable forms
5
Q
what is theoretical?
A
- science seeks casual relationships
- doesn’t reply simply on describing but seeks to explain
6
Q
what is cumulative?
A
- builds on previous knowledge and moves forward our understanding of the world
7
Q
what is objective?
A
- personal feelings, prejudices etc have no place in science
- has to be unbiased
8
Q
what do positivists believe about science?
A
- sociology can and should be considered a science
9
Q
why do sociologists believe what they believe?
A
- through verification, we can develop a theory that helps to explain social phenomenon/thing
- we can then verify this through future observations
- the patterns we find can be explained using social facts eg educational failure is caused by material deprivation
- by analysing quan data, positivists seek to discover the laws of cause and effect that determine behaviour
10
Q
what is verificationism? (positivists)
A
- approach that suggests a statement is meaningful only if it can be empirically verified
