Objectivity and values Flashcards
(13 cards)
What is the argument of value freedom is possible?
Positivist view
Copy the ideas of natural science
We should only research phenomena that is external to researcher
Any personal bias or political beliefs are irrelevant as long as the research is designed well
We should not alter or tamper with the findings
What does value freedom look like?
Study of social facts
Quantitative data
Hard statistics
Research methods that enable detachment
Representative samples
Leading to reliability
What is the argument that value freedom is not possible?
Values are essential in research
Facts do not demonstrate the truth of value
What is values as a guide to research?
Social reality is made up of a meaningless infinity of facts
The best a researcher can do is select certain facts and study them
By selecting certain facts, a sociologist will base their decisions on what they regard as important
What is values and data collection?
We should keep our values out of view when collecting data
We should avoid leading questions
A hypothesis must stand or fall solely on whether or not it fits the facts
What is values and data interpretation?
Values are important again when we interpret what the research is telling us
We need to put the findings within a theoretical concept
We need to tell others about our values so that our interpretations can be made in context
What are values and effects of research according to Webber?
Sociologists have a responsibility to look at the effects of our research
We cannot hide behind objectivity
We cannot dodge the moral and political issues of our work
What does Gouldner argue about sociology cannot and should not be value free?
Marxist
Sociologists should focus on and challenge the powerful groups
‘structures of oppression’
How does Gouldner argue against Becker?
Over sentimental view of disadvantaged groups
Takes a romantic and condescending views of the powerless
Process of labelling, Becker ends up blaming the middle dogs such as the police who don’t really have much power
What does Becker argue as an interpretivist?
Values are always present in sociology
Should take side of the underdog because less is known about these groups and they deserve a voice
Should use qualitative methods - reveal experiences and meanings of outsiders
What does Myrdal argue?
Sociologists should spell out their values
Openly take sides by promoting the values and interests of a particular individual or group
Cannot and should not be value free
What does Gouldner argue about a value free sociology?
Not possible
Sociologists own values or those of their paymasters are bound to be reflected in their work
Should be committed to a political struggle to end their oppression by unmasking the ways that the powerful keep power
What do postmoderists argue?
Relativist view
Reject idea that any one account of the social world is superior in any other
Any perspective that claims to have the truth is just a meta narrative or bog story
All knowledge is based on values and assumptions and thus no perspective has any special claim to be true
