Values Debate

• Durkheim was a positivist who believed sociology could be objective
• Durkheim's suicide study followed the scientific method and aimed to be as objective as possible
• Positivists say sociology should aim to uncover the truth, and doing so could offer objective insight into how to improve society
• Douglas said Durkheim's judgements were based on subjective interpretations eg coroner's reports were just an opinion
• Durkheim had a close friend who committed suicide, so his own values and opinions may have influenced the research
• Positivists aim to use quantifiable methods and detached research, with an emphasis on reliability
• Interpretivists think sociology must be subjective, because people cannot be researched in a scientific way
• Sociologists' roles should be to document how other people experience the world
• We should look at the why behind actions, not just the what
• Committed sociology says it may be in sociology's best interest for sociologists to take sides
• Gouldner suggests it is impossible for sociologists to be entirely objective, as many aspects of research will inevitably be influenced by personal views and experiences
• Sociologists should maintain specific values, otherwise they are selling services to whoever will pay the most
• Feminist research aims to be in the interests of women with the aim of improving women's position in society and offering help
• Becker says sociologists should advocate for the underdogs in society as these groups are less likely to have their voices heard, and work should be done to address inequality
• Weber agrees that some areas of sociology will always be subjective, but some parts can and should be objective
• Data collection can always be objective and sociologists must accept or reject hypotheses purely based on facts
• Choice of topic and interpretation of data will remain subjective, but this can be separated from data collection
• Gomm argues sociology is value laden, and what sociologists define as important areas of research or 'issues' reflects real world politics and ideologies
• It may be interesting to look at what sociologists don't research as well as what they do
• Choice of subject will always be influenced by a sociologist's values and possibly those in power
• Funding will always influence research and impose bias
• Methodology chosen is impacted by a sociologist's own views and beliefs
• Positivists point out sociologists will study areas they are detached from, proving research can be value free
• Gouldner might argue a sociologist will always be influenced by factors like career and funding bodies, regardless of what they are studying
• Becker would say we should focus not on whether we need values, but whose values are most important