Subjectivity, objectivity and values in sociology

Subjectivity, objectivity and values in sociology

1. Subjectivity

   • The idea that sociologists are part of the society they are studing, and therefore their own values and beliefs will affect the research in some way.
   • Most commonly associated with interpretivists and feminists
     • Believe it is necessary to have interaction, personal involvement and closeness to those being studies in order to understand meaning and interpretations they hold.

2. Objectivity

   • Researchers approach topics with totally open minds and with complete detachment, separation and distance from those being researched.
   • Remians independent of, and uninfluenced by, subjective influences
     • Such as the personal feelings, prejudices, opinions, beliefs, values or interpretations of researchers
   • Associated with positivism and the use of quantitative scientific methods

3. Values in sociology

   • There has been debate about whether socoilogy should or could be value-free and objective.
   • Sociology should be can be value-free
     • Positivists like Comte and Durkheim believe sociology could and should be value-free
     • Society is made up of structures and social facts that are independent of the researcher
     • Sociology should be studies in the same detached and objective way as natural scientists studies the natural world, in subjects like physics and chemistry.
       • The study of social facts and the empirical quantitative data using the hypothetico-deductive scientific method
         • Can test theories using reliable and valid data, which can be checked/replicated
         • Can establish the causes of social behaviour, uncover the laws of human society, and make predictions.
   • Sociology cannot be value-free
   • Sociology should not be value-free, even if it were possible