objectivity and values

• Positivists


  Sociology can be studied free of values because it is objective
• Myrdal and Gouldber


  Sociologists should only identify their values, but not 'take sides', espousing the interests of actual groups
• It is undesirable to be value-neutral
• Weber


  Sociology can be value-free once the research process has been chosen, but the values need to be explicitly stated
• Values as a guide to research

  We can only select areas of study in terms of their value relevance to us
• Data collection and hypothesis testing

  Sociologists must be as objective as possible when actually collecting the facts (eg. not asking leading questions, the hypothesis must succeed or fall solely on whether it fits the observed facts)
• Values in the interpretation of data

  Facts need to be set in a theoretical framework to understand their significance. This is influenced by the sociologist's 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'
• Interpretivists


  Sociology cannot be studied free of values because it is subjective
• Factors influencing the sociologist's values

  • Choice of research topic
  • Choice of method
  • Funding body