✔ Outline and explain two ways in which a sociologist’s subjective beliefs and values may
influence sociological research.
One way in which sociologists subjective beliefs and values may influence sociological
research is through the choice of subject or topic. When sociologists come to choose a topic
they wish to study it is inevitable that their personal interests and values influence their
decision as they aim to study this to create change. This can be subjective not only to the values
of the researcher themselves but also by those in political power; as sociological research
informs social policy and it could be that sociologists aim to change a factor in society which
may in turn disadvantage other groups/ factors within society.
Another way in which sociologists subjective beliefs and values may influence sociological
research is through the interpretation of data. Facts need to have a theoretical basis so that it
is possible to see the significance of the data and draw conclusions. This framework will be
based around values and beliefs of the sociologist. Therefore it is inevitable that the
sociologists will aim to influence the data in order to gain the results they require to validate
their claims.
✔ Outline and explain two arguments for the view that sociology should not be value free.
One way in which sociology should not be value free is when we are considering viewpoints of
feminism. Feminists conduct their research entirely based on their values and political opinions.
They argue that sociology should be driven by the desire to make society better and should be
used to expose the injustice of patriarchy. Without the values of feminism entering their
research these certain topics will not be tackled.
Another reason as to why sociology should not be value free is argued by Becker. He argues
that it is inevitable that sociologists take sides and that they should take the sides of the under
dog rather than that of the powerful. Theorists such as marxist aim to do this by showing the
inequality between the different social classes within society therefore without the values
marxist have they wouldn't be able to seek that information needed to present this.
✔ Outline and explain two ways that positivist sociologists believe the problems with values in
sociologist’s research can be overcome.
One way in which positivists believe that values in sociology can be overcome is by using a
method known as inductive reasoning. This method involves accumulating data about the world
through careful observation and measurement. From this data a theory can be formed and
verified through further study. Positivists believe that sociology should follow objective
experimental methods rather than subjective inorder to remain value free.
, Another way in which positivists believe the problems with values in sociologist’s research can
be overcome
✔ Outline and explain two reasons why it is desirable to keep personal values out of
sociological research.
One reason why it is desirable to keep personal values out of sociological research is because it
allows the prevention of bias. Often when researchers are collecting data it might be the case
where they choose to omit things in favor of their hypothesis, thus coming to a conclusion which
is not entirely correct, in addition to producing leading questions to get the respondents to
answer in a way that reflects their ideas. Therefore the removal of this will allow the
prevention of biases and produce data that can be generalizable.
Another reason as to why it is desirable to keep personal values out of sociological research is
to allow the development of laws which can be beneficial to the masses. Positivists argue that
sociology should focus on uncovering the truth about how society works and allowing the
formation of laws in order to carry out vital functions. With values influencing this sociology will
fail to indicate what is best for society with scientific certainty, and will be unable to prescribe
how things should be.
✔ Outline and explain two ways in which a sociologist may contribute to the understanding of a
society’s social problems.
One way in which sociologists may contribute to the understanding of a society’s social
problems is through the feminist view. Feminists believe that the state and society is
patriarchal and therefore social policies are designed to maintain this patriarchy. Feminist
research has had an impact in a number of policy areas including equal opportunities and gender
neutrality. However these policies are often seen as reflecting the liberal feminsit view not
radical or marxist feminist view.
Marxists have also contributed to the understanding of societal problems. Marxists believe
that the state represents the interests of the ruling class and therefore social policies will
reflect the interests of the ruling class as well. They believe that they provide ideological
legitimation; to make capitalist exploitation, in addition to maintaining the labour force and
preventing a revolution by the proletariat.
✔ Outline and explain two arguments that suggest functionalist theories may have a little to
contribute to our understanding of society today.
one way in which we see functionalists' ideas as having little to contribute to our
understanding of society is the fact that they are seen as too deterministic. functionalists fail
influence sociological research.
One way in which sociologists subjective beliefs and values may influence sociological
research is through the choice of subject or topic. When sociologists come to choose a topic
they wish to study it is inevitable that their personal interests and values influence their
decision as they aim to study this to create change. This can be subjective not only to the values
of the researcher themselves but also by those in political power; as sociological research
informs social policy and it could be that sociologists aim to change a factor in society which
may in turn disadvantage other groups/ factors within society.
Another way in which sociologists subjective beliefs and values may influence sociological
research is through the interpretation of data. Facts need to have a theoretical basis so that it
is possible to see the significance of the data and draw conclusions. This framework will be
based around values and beliefs of the sociologist. Therefore it is inevitable that the
sociologists will aim to influence the data in order to gain the results they require to validate
their claims.
✔ Outline and explain two arguments for the view that sociology should not be value free.
One way in which sociology should not be value free is when we are considering viewpoints of
feminism. Feminists conduct their research entirely based on their values and political opinions.
They argue that sociology should be driven by the desire to make society better and should be
used to expose the injustice of patriarchy. Without the values of feminism entering their
research these certain topics will not be tackled.
Another reason as to why sociology should not be value free is argued by Becker. He argues
that it is inevitable that sociologists take sides and that they should take the sides of the under
dog rather than that of the powerful. Theorists such as marxist aim to do this by showing the
inequality between the different social classes within society therefore without the values
marxist have they wouldn't be able to seek that information needed to present this.
✔ Outline and explain two ways that positivist sociologists believe the problems with values in
sociologist’s research can be overcome.
One way in which positivists believe that values in sociology can be overcome is by using a
method known as inductive reasoning. This method involves accumulating data about the world
through careful observation and measurement. From this data a theory can be formed and
verified through further study. Positivists believe that sociology should follow objective
experimental methods rather than subjective inorder to remain value free.
, Another way in which positivists believe the problems with values in sociologist’s research can
be overcome
✔ Outline and explain two reasons why it is desirable to keep personal values out of
sociological research.
One reason why it is desirable to keep personal values out of sociological research is because it
allows the prevention of bias. Often when researchers are collecting data it might be the case
where they choose to omit things in favor of their hypothesis, thus coming to a conclusion which
is not entirely correct, in addition to producing leading questions to get the respondents to
answer in a way that reflects their ideas. Therefore the removal of this will allow the
prevention of biases and produce data that can be generalizable.
Another reason as to why it is desirable to keep personal values out of sociological research is
to allow the development of laws which can be beneficial to the masses. Positivists argue that
sociology should focus on uncovering the truth about how society works and allowing the
formation of laws in order to carry out vital functions. With values influencing this sociology will
fail to indicate what is best for society with scientific certainty, and will be unable to prescribe
how things should be.
✔ Outline and explain two ways in which a sociologist may contribute to the understanding of a
society’s social problems.
One way in which sociologists may contribute to the understanding of a society’s social
problems is through the feminist view. Feminists believe that the state and society is
patriarchal and therefore social policies are designed to maintain this patriarchy. Feminist
research has had an impact in a number of policy areas including equal opportunities and gender
neutrality. However these policies are often seen as reflecting the liberal feminsit view not
radical or marxist feminist view.
Marxists have also contributed to the understanding of societal problems. Marxists believe
that the state represents the interests of the ruling class and therefore social policies will
reflect the interests of the ruling class as well. They believe that they provide ideological
legitimation; to make capitalist exploitation, in addition to maintaining the labour force and
preventing a revolution by the proletariat.
✔ Outline and explain two arguments that suggest functionalist theories may have a little to
contribute to our understanding of society today.
one way in which we see functionalists' ideas as having little to contribute to our
understanding of society is the fact that they are seen as too deterministic. functionalists fail
