Positivists

• Sociology should use scientific methods because?

  -it enables findings to be checked by researchers

  -enables researchers to be objective/value free.
• Give preferred methods by positivists

  -overt observation

  -closed questionnares

  -lab experiments

  -structured interviews(but avoid these)

  -non pp observations(avoided)
• What do +vists use to measure relationships between different factors?

  statistics-interested in cause and effect relationships eg factors that cause underachievement in schools.
• How do +vists measure behaviour?

  quantitative data
• What do positivists think sociology should be?

  scientific and analyse social facts eg laws.
• What do positivists say behaviour is influenced by?

  social institutions- social control makes people behave in socially approved ways

  external social forces that make up societys structure that mould peoples ideas and actions(social facts)