We can only select areas of study in terms of their values but opening relevance to us
Values in the interpretation of data
Facts need to be set in a theoretical framework to understand their significance. This is influenced by the sociologists values, which must be stated explicitly
Values and the sociologist as a citizen
Sociologists are citizens, they cannot dodge the moral issues their work raises or the uses it is put to by hiding behind ‘value freedom’
Data collection and hypothesis testing
Sociologists must be objective as possible when actually collecting the facts.
E.g. not asking leading questions, the hypothesis must suceed or fail solely on whether it fits the observed facts
Does he think sociology is value free?
Yes, sociology can be value free once the research process has been chosen, but the values ned to be explicitly stated
