objectivity and values

Question 1

Marx, Durkheim & Comte’s views on values

Answer 1

science would tell us what our values should be
Weber- a value cant be proved or disproved by facts they belong to different realms

Question 2

Weber’s 4 stages of research process

Answer 2

1. values as a guide to research:
   Researcher can select certain facts and study them based on our values (what is relevant to US)
2. data collection and hypothesis testing:
   must be objective and unbiased when collecting facts, keeping values and prejudice out.
3. values in interpretation of data:
   values become important when interpreting data collected . Our choice of framework/ perspective determined by values so must say our values so others can see unconscious bias
4. sociologist as a citizen:
   must not judge moral and political issues their work raises by hiding behind words

Question 3

modern positivists (why values are irrelevant to research)

Answer 3

-desire to appear scientific: science concerned with facts so should remain morally neutral. this would make it respectable
-social position: Gouldner- ‘problem takers’ hired out to organisations to solve their problems for them. made own values irrelevant to paymasters

Question 4

Myrdal (commited sociology)

Answer 4

should spell out values and openly take sides . It is not possible or desirable to keep values out of research

Question 5

Gouldners view of value-free sociology

Answer 5

impossible: own values, paymasters reflected in work
undesirable: without values, selling their services to highest bidder

Question 6

Becker

Answer 6

sociologists should take a compassionate stand and side with underdogs as less is known about these groups and their story needs to be told to restore balance
-can reveal a hidden social reality

Question 7

AO3 of Becker

Answer 7

Gouldner- takes a romantic view to disadvantaged groups. G adopts a marxist perspective. sociologists should take the sides of those fighting back

Question 8

funding and careers

Answer 8

the body that pays for research controls what direction it takes. May block publications if findings unacceptable.
-may wish to further careers so this influences topic
-may censor themselves out of fear

Question 9

relativism view on values

Answer 9

different groups have different views on whats true.
No independant way of judging if one view is truer.

Question 10

AO3 on relativism

Answer 10

paradoxical conclusion: relativism is self defeating it claims to be telling us something is true while also telling us no one can tell us what is true