Theory consolidation

Theory consolidation

1. Feminism

   • Sociology studies should be on a smaller scale as to build a rapport between client and researcher - avoids 'malestream'
     • The point of sociology is that it is bias - you get a better understanding of the study, therefore it is not value free.
       • Interviews would be a preferred method as a rapport is then built on a personal level.
         • Some may argue there is too much bias in the interest of avoiding 'malestream'.

2. Realism

   • Society is a form of open science, whilst natural science is closed science. Therefore sociology and psychology can be considered sciences.
     • Sociology should be value free, just as any other science should be value free. Gives the most reliable results.
       • Questionnaires - gain the most quantitative results.
         • Realism is a contested concept and interpreted in different ways.

3. Interpretivism

   • Sociology should be on a smaller scale, so the data is valid. Too complex to be a science.
     • Since the studies of a qualitative method are on a smaller scale, they will not be value free.
       • Unstructured observationsare a good method of qualitative data.
         • Lacks scientific rigour. Lack of reliability. Too subjective and value laden.

4. Positivism

   • Sociology is a science - it can and should follow the same procedures as natural science.
     • Studies should be value free as studying humans is a form of science. Preference of quantitative data.
       • Structured observations is a method of quantitative data, allows value free results.
         • Too scientific and gives little reason for trends that are spotted.