Objectivity and Values in sociology

• What is the definition of subjectivity in sociology?

  Subjectivity is when the researcher's values and beliefs affect the research.
• How do interpretivists view subjectivity?

  Interpretivists are subjective and acknowledge the influence of personal values in research.
• What is the significance of interaction in subjective research?

  Interaction is necessary for closeness to the subject, such as in unstructured interviews.
• What is the definition of objectivity in sociology?

  Objectivity is when the researcher is open-minded and detached from their research.
• How do positivists approach objectivity?

  Positivists are objective as they believe in science and maintaining neutrality.
• What types of research methods are associated with objectivity?

  Closed questionnaires and official statistics are examples of objective research methods.
• What influences our values according to the study material?

  Our values are influenced by class, gender, ethnicity, upbringing, and experiences.
• What do some argue about keeping subjective values out of research?

  Some argue it is both possible and desirable to keep subjective values out of research to produce true scientific knowledge.
• What is the opposing view regarding the possibility of value-free research?

  Others argue that it is impossible to keep personal values out of research because sociologists are humans studying other humans.
• What is 'committed sociology'?

  Committed sociology is the idea that sociologists should use their values to improve society through their work.
• Who were the positivists that regarded sociology as a science?

  August Comte and Emile Durkheim were positivists who regarded sociology as a science.
• What did Durkheim's study of Suicide (1899) demonstrate?

  Durkheim's study demonstrated that macro-level social trends could uncover laws of society.
• What law did Durkheim believe was related to suicide rates?

  Durkheim believed that too high or too low levels of social integration and regulation would lead to an increasing suicide rate.
• How do positivists view the relationship between sociology and value freedom?

  Positivists believe sociology can be value-free because they uncover objective laws of social systems.
• What do researchers uncover according to positivists?

  Researchers uncover 'social facts' that exist independently of the observer.
• Why is objective, value-free sociology important for social policy?

  Objective, value-free sociology could provide facts that influence social policy and improve the world.
• What does Weber argue about values in research?

  Weber argues that values guide research and influence which facts are selected for study.
• How do values influence the interpretation of data according to Weber?

  Values influence the choice of theoretical framework or perspective used to interpret data.
• What does 'Verstehen' mean in interpretivist research?

  'Verstehen' means empathy, which is necessary for understanding the subject's feelings.
• How can data collection introduce bias according to the study material?

  Data collection is a social process that can introduce bias and invalidity due to interaction effects.
• What is the risk of participant observation in research?

  The risk is that the observer may become too friendly and lose objectivity.
• What does Gouldner argue about value-free sociology?

  Gouldner argues that value-free sociology is impossible and undesirable.
• How does Gouldner view the concept of value-freedom?

  Gouldner suggests that value-freedom is itself a value-laden concept.
• What example does Gouldner provide to illustrate the impossibility of being neutral?

  Gouldner uses the example of observing a fight between a bully and a victim to illustrate the impossibility of being neutral.
• What does Gouldner argue about pretending to be value-free?

  Pretending to be value-free supports the powerful in an unequal society.
• What perspective does Gouldner adopt regarding sociology?

  Gouldner adopts a Marxist perspective, advocating for sociologists to side with those fighting back against oppression.
• What does Becker argue about the political nature of knowledge?

  Becker argues that all knowledge is political and serves some interests at the expense of others.
• What does Becker suggest sociologists should do regarding their stance?

  Becker suggests that sociologists should choose sides and decide which interests their knowledge should serve.
• Who does Becker argue sociologists should side with?

  Becker argues that sociologists should side with the disadvantaged and the underdog.
• How can qualitative methods reveal hidden aspects of social reality according to Becker?

  Qualitative methods like participant observation can reveal the meanings of 'outsiders' and give them a voice.
• What is the postmodernist view of knowledge?

  Postmodernists reject the idea that any one account of the social world is superior to another.
• How do postmodernists view perspectives that claim to have the truth?

  Postmodernists view such perspectives as meta-narratives or 'big stories'.
• What is the implication of the statement "all knowledge is based on values and assumptions" in postmodernism?

  This implies that no perspective has any special claim to be true.
• What is a critique of postmodernism mentioned in the study material?

  Postmodernism itself is described as a meta-narrative.