Objectivity and values

Durkheim

• Attempted to look objectively at the issue of suicide

• Used official statistics to find patterns in suicide —> comparative method

• He used quantitative data and looked to observe social facts

Criticisms of Durkheim

• Judgements about the suicides were made by the interpretations of the coroner —> subjective

• Durkheim’s own values on suicide influenced his research —> his friend committed suicide

• His research is not falsifiable

Weber

• Sociology must be value-free in any research

• Researchers must consider findings in an objective manner

• Reject theories if they can’t be proven

• Both quantitative and qualitative methods can be used in an objective way

• Values are relevant for choosing what to research, in interpreting data collected and how to use the findings

Committed sociology

• Gouldner - it is impossible and undesireable to remain value-free in sociological research

• Sociologists should state their values before their values before doing research

• Sociologists are influenced by:

  • Choice of research topic

  • Choice of method

  • Funding bodies

Evaluations

• Positivists aregue they research topics that use detachment to ensure the research is value-free —> Gouldner would argye that values such as their career and funding bodies will mean values are present

• Interpretivists such as Becker would suggest sociology is not value free —> whose values are the most important?