Sociology and science

• Why do positivists argue that sociology is a science?

  Using scientific methods such as the hypothetico-deductive method can make it possible for sociology to be a science as they are able to observe social facts and record them quantitately
• What are the features of a positivist view?

  Human behaviour is a response to social factors

  Direct observation and quantitative statistical methods should be used

  Research should focus on social causes of events
• In what ways is sociology a science?

  It produces knowledge that is generalisable

  Establishes laws of cause and effect

  Data is high in reliability and can be replicated
• How does Durkheim support the view that sociology is a science?

  Social factors should and are observed and measured quantitatively
• Why do interpretevists argue that sociology isn't a science?


  The social world is a product of individuals and using scientific methods such as lab experiements cannot understand human ations, motives and meanings becuase they are fundamentally different
• What does Weber say about sociology not being a science?

  Lab studies are unsited to sociology and should instead use verstehen as researchers are able to see participants perspectives from their view allowing them to gain accurate information
• What are the critisms of sociology being a science?

  Empirical evidence - measuring invisable phenomena

  Theoretical - behaviour is unpredictable due to free will

  Objective - sociology is based on subjective interpretations

  Prediction - behaviour is too unpredictable to predict due to free will and hawthorne effect
• Overall is sociology a science?

  Sociologists can justify their work as no less objective or scienfitic as long as they keep following;

  Value freedom, objectivity, systematic methods and analysing evidence based on evidence and making finding avaliable to others