sociology IS a science - durklheim suicide stats

what is the positivist approach in sociology?

the positivist approach argues that sociology can be considered a science if it uses the scientific method, including testing variables and identifying causation through quantitative data.

what was durkheim’s method for studying suicide?

durkheim used both inductive and deductive reasoning: starting with official statistics (inductive) and then testing hypotheses about social factors influencing suicide (deductive).

what are social facts according to durkheim?

social facts are external, objective aspects of society (such as social norms, values, and institutions) that influence individual behavior.

what two social facts did durkheim identify as influencing suicide rates?

social integration (the degree to which people are connected to society) and social regulation (the degree of societal control over individual behavior).