ways sociology is a science

Question 1

Scientific method- Systematic, Organized, and Objectivity

Answer 1

Sociology follows a method that is scientific in nature. It is a systematic study with fixed methods of inquiry that are organized and planned. Sociologists try to remain as objective as possible in their research by not letting their biases enter the field with them. Even if it is impossible to conduct experiments on men in a laboratory, man’s social behaviour is subject to scientific research like natural phenomena. It employs scientific methods such as sociometry schedule scales, case studies, interviews, and questionnaires to quantify social phenomena.

Question 2

example of an objective study

Answer 2

suicide by Durkheim

This well-known work of Durkheim systematically studies suicide across various societies. It is systematic because it follows a pattern to derive answers. It is organized because a reader can categorize all the different nuances of suicide. Lastly, it is objective as Durkehim’s personal biases do not impact the end result of this research.

Question 3

use of quantitative data - objective quantitative research

Answer 3

Positivists use quantitative data to uncover and measure patterns of behaviour. This allows them to produce mathematically precise statements about the relationship between the facts they are investigating, by analysing quantitative data, positivists seek to discover the laws of cause and effect that determine behaviour. Positivists believe that researchers should be detached and objective - they should not let their own subjective values influence their findings. However in sociology, we are dealing with people and there is a danger that the researcher might contaminate the research for example by influencing interviewees to answer in ways that reflect the researcher’s opinions rather than their own. Positivists, therefore, employ methods that allow for maximum objectivity and detachment and so they use quantitative methods like questionnaires

Question 4

social facts

Answer 4

Society is made up of what Durkheim called ‘social facts’. These exist outside of individuals and can only be measured on a macro level.

2) Human behaviour is a response to observable social facts and can be explained in terms of cause-and-effect relationships. Anything that cannot be quantified should be ignored and rejected.

3) Social facts should be treated as things, like objects in the natural world, and studied by direct observation and the use of quantitative, statistical methods of data collection otherwise sociology will always remain a subject lacking evidential proof. Durkheim attempted to show this in his study where he highlighted social integration and moral regulation were the main reasons of suicide.

Question 5

patterns

Answer 5

For positivists reality is not random or chaotic but patterned and we can observe these empirical patterns or regularities. Positivits believe in Durkhiem words that ‘real laws are discoverable’ that will explain these patterns. Just as physicists have discovered laws that govern the workings of nature such as the law of gravity sociologists can discover laws that determine how society works. This method is known as induction, as our knowledge grows we begin to see general patterns from this we can develop a theory that explains our observations. After many more observations have confirmed or verified the theory we can claim to have discovered the truth in the form of a general law. We can verify a theory this is known as verificationism.