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Summary AQA Theory and Methods - Objectivity & Values
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Summary of the topic of objectivity and values in theory and method aspect of the AQA a level spec. includes all points of the spec needed
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VALUE FREE VALUE COMMITTED IN THE MIDDLEObjectivity & Values
Early positivists:
● Durkheim and Comte were the early positivists. They had an enlightenment and modernist
perspective of the role of society.
● They thought that to see what's best for society or how society can become better is not a
matter of subjectivity or personal opinions.
● Sociology’s job is to discover the truth and find laws that govern society's way of
functioning.
● Scientific sociology argues that there is only one type of correct society.
● As a result sociologists have an important role objectively and with scientific certainty to
say what is the best for society.
Karl Marx:
● He saw himself as a scientist. Through the method of historical analysis and historical
materialism he argued that in society we can see human development. He argued society
is like evolution. At the start we have a society based on class (many types of class based
societies e.g ancient system, feudal system, capitalism) and society slowly will evolve
towards a classless communist society free from exploitation, alienation where people can
reach their full potential.
Max Weber:
● Distinguishes between subjective values and facts.
● Subjective values are subjective judgements or personal opinions whereas facts are
statements that can be verified or falsified through empirical testing or logical reasoning
and deductions.
● He argues that a value can neither be proved or disproved by facts .They belong to
different realms.
However Weber still saw an essential role in values in sociological research:
- VALUE AS A GUIDE TO RESEARCH:
Researchers should select certain facts in relation to their own values. - value reference.
E.g a feminist values gender equality so they would study patriarchy and women's
oppression.
- DATA COLLECTION AND HYPOTHESIS:
Weber argues that we should be objective and unbiased
When collecting evidence researchers should be objective and leave their values out of it.
- VALUES IN DATA INTERPRETATION:
When interpreting data researcher should mention explicitly their values os others can see
if there is any unconscious bias present in the findings
- VALUES AND SOCIOLOGIST AS A CITIZEN:
Sociologists and researchers are also humans and have moral obligations. They shouldn't
just hide behind the word objectivity
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