Research Methodology Chapter 2
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Questions and Answers

What term does Kuhn use to describe a world view in science?

Paradigms

Who is the author of 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions'?

  • David Deutsch
  • Karl Popper
  • Thomas Kuhn (correct)
  • Auguste Comte
  • According to Karl Popper, knowledge should be built by trying to prove theories wrong.

    True

    What does Karl Popper criticize about inductive thinking?

    <p>It attempts to prove something based on observations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is considered a flaw of inductivism according to David Deutsch?

    <p>It causes logical gaps.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are Popper's 'provisional conjectures'?

    <p>Theories that can find apparent corroboration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the philosophy that closely aligns with the naturalistic paradigm?

    <p>Phenomenology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Phenomenologists assume that knowledge is obtained through interactions with researchers and participants.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a condition of science according to Karl Popper?

    <p>Absolute certainty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'positivism' refer to?

    <p>A philosophy asserting that only scientific knowledge is valid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who founded the philosophical movement of phenomenology?

    <p>Edmund Husserl</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of sociology as discussed in the text?

    <p>To understand social phenomena.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are tenets of symbolic interactionism? (Select all that apply)

    <p>Individual actions respond to symbolic gestures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Edmund Husserl's philosophical method is known as ______.

    <p>phenomenology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sociology employs the same general methods of investigation as the __________ sciences.

    <p>natural</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following researchers aimed to develop sociology on the basis of natural science?

    <p>Auguste Comte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Hahn’s view on objectivity assert?

    <p>Objectivity is never value-free or disembodied.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does sociology rely on for its methodology?

    <p>Method of inquiry based on evidence and reason.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'deconstruction' analyze?

    <p>The historical context of subjects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Thomas Nagel, the perception of reality is influenced by an individual's perspective.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sociology can fulfill all conditions of natural science.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following thinkers with their contributions:

    <p>Thomas Kuhn = Paradigms and scientific revolutions Karl Popper = Falsifiability and critical rationalism Auguste Comte = Positivism and sociology framework David Deutsch = Fallibilism and scientific explanations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term refers to the absence of personal bias in scientific research?

    <p>Objectivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a cognitive value according to Kuhn?

    <p>Marketability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The theory that values influence the choice of a research problem is proposed by ______.

    <p>Weber</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which thinker is credited for introducing positivism in Sociology?

    <p>Auguste Comte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who gave the concept of Verstehen and Ideal Types to bring objectivity in research?

    <p>Max Weber</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sociology should be concerned with a subjective understanding of objective reality as per:

    <p>Interpretative School</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An American sociologist, first to propose and systematise Ethnomethodology was:

    <p>Harold Garfinkel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Alfred Schutz is associated with which sociological conception?

    <p>Phenomenology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who gave the following four methods for the study of Sociology - Observation, Experimentation, Historical and Comparative?

    <p>Auguste Comte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An anarchy as per which any discipline not following scientific method should not be taken seriously, is called as:

    <p>Epistemology anarchism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Functionalist and Conflict theorists fall under the category of Positivism:

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who said Positivism vs Non-Positivism debate is a 60s hangover?

    <p>Ray Pawson</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three phases of social evolution proposed by Auguste Comte?

    <p>The Theological, The Metaphysical, The Positive</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mead, Cooley, Blumer are some of the influential scholars belonging to the following perspective:

    <p>Interactionism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phase is characterized by a belief in God as supreme over human existence?

    <p>Theological Phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Metaphysical Phase states that the universal rights of humanity are most important.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary importance in the Positive Phase according to Comte?

    <p>Individual rights are more important than the rule of any one person.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the three constituents of Positivism?

    <p>Subjectivism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What term does Comte use to describe the degree to which phenomena can be exactly determined?

    <p>Positivity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the early sociologists mentioned in relation to positivism?

    <p>Saint Simon, Herbert Spencer, Auguste Comte, Emile Durkheim</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sociologist is known for his study of reference group behavior?

    <p>Robert K. Merton</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Positivism holds that introspective knowledge is valuable in scientific studies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which methodology focuses on everyday practices through which individuals construct and negotiate reality?

    <p>Ethnomethodology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What critique is associated with ethnomethodology?

    <p>It is viewed as focusing on trivial matters and ignoring crucial societal issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Emile Durkheim studied suicide rates using a ________ perspective.

    <p>positivist</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which philosophical perspective rejects the methods of natural sciences for the study of human behavior?

    <p>Phenomenology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Neo-positivism emphasizes qualitative research methods.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Science, Scientific Method, and Critique

    • Thomas Kuhn's concept of "paradigms" refers to universally recognized scientific achievements that shape the worldview of a scientific community.
    • Paradigms can provide answers but may also be fundamentally wrong; real discovery starts with recognizing anomalies.
    • Distinction between "normal" science (accepts existing theories) and "revolutionary" science (challenges existing paradigms) according to Kuhn.
    • Karl Popper criticized traditional methods of grounding theories in induction, advocating for falsifiability as a way to test the robustness of scientific theories.
    • Popper introduced the idea that scientific theories are "provisional conjectures" subject to disproof rather than definitive proof.
    • David Deutsch highlighted the limitations of empiricism and the necessity for explanations that can transcend mere observation.
    • Problems arise when existing theories conflict with expectations, necessitating new explanations beyond the current understanding.

    Sociology as a Science

    • Founding sociologists like August Comte and Herbert Spencer sought to model sociology on natural sciences with concepts like social physics and statistical dynamics.
    • Ongoing debate about whether sociology fits rigid definitions of science, as it doesn't always adhere to parameters expected of natural science.
    • Karl Popper critiques positivism as insufficient for science, encouraging a broader understanding of scientific inquiry as a methodology rather than a body of knowledge.
    • Sociology can meet scientific criteria through aspects like intersubjective reliability, objectivity (while acknowledging the limitations), quantifiability of phenomena, and theoretical orientation.

    Scientific Method

    • Steps of the scientific method include identifying problems, reviewing literature, constructing hypotheses, collecting data, checking reliability, testing hypotheses, and presenting data.
    • Criticisms of the scientific method argue that it is just one of many approaches to knowledge, and glorifying it may hinder overall intellectual growth.
    • Thomas Kuhn acknowledges that scientific revolutions can emerge from both scientific and non-scientific methodologies.

    Theoretical Strands of Research Methodology

    • Sociology utilizes the scientific method involving observation, experimentation, generalization, and verification to create and validate knowledge.
    • Theory construction is essential to give context to observed facts and facilitate understanding of social phenomena.
    • Positivism emphasizes that genuine knowledge must be verifiable through empirical evidence and represents an evolving perspective on the nature of knowledge.

    Auguste Comte's Contributions

    • Comte introduced positivism, suggesting that legitimate knowledge arises from empirical experiences, leading to his advocacy for sociology as a rigorous science.
    • He classified sciences by their degree of "positivity," with sociology being viewed as the 'Queen of Sciences' due to its complexity.
    • Comte's "law of three stages" posits that society evolves through theological, metaphysical, and positive phases in its understanding of truth.### Comte's Phases of Human Development
    • Theological Phase: Humanity relies on church doctrines rather than rational thought; facts are accepted based on religious authority.
    • Metaphysical Phase: Emerged post-Enlightenment, prioritizes universal human rights over church doctrine; led to various political regimes focused on these rights.
    • Positive Phase: Celebrates self-governance and individual rights; no higher authority governs human behavior, highlighting free will.

    Positivism by Auguste Comte

    • Defines a framework for understanding society as a sequence of cause and effect; emphasizes empirical evidence.
    • Requires understanding of previous phases to progress toward scientific observations in sociology.

    Key Constituents of Positivism

    • Empiricism: Focus on observable phenomena.
    • Inductivism: Emphasizing the importance of factual data.
    • Naturalism: The influence of the environment on human actions.

    Influence of John Locke

    • Considered an early champion of positivism, advocating for understanding the world through observable cause-and-effect relationships.

    Contributions by Early Sociologists

    • Saint Simon: Pioneered sociology as "social physics."
    • Herbert Spencer: Promoted the organismic analogy for societal study.
    • Emile Durkheim: Introduced the concept of social facts; studied customs and their effects on society, notably in theories of division of labor and suicide.
    • Robert K. Merton: Analyzed social behavior using concepts like relative deprivation through empirical research.

    Karl Marx's Perspective

    • Acknowledged for utilizing historical data while integrating revolutionary elements and romantic philosophy in discussions of capitalism and exploitation.

    Critiques of Positivism

    • Interpretative School: Advocated by Weber, suggesting human behavior can't be studied as natural sciences.
    • Postmodernists: Argued that multiple realities exist and should be acknowledged.
    • Interactionists: Stressed the significance of actions and social interactions.
    • Critics of Objectivity: Suggested complete separation of facts and values is impossible.

    Non-Positivist Methodologies

    • Emphasizes the subjective nature of human experience, focusing on interpretation over quantitative data.
    • Ethnomethodology: Explores how individuals construct and negotiate their reality; studies everyday practices of society members.
    • Phenomenology: Investigates variability in human experience, focusing on pre-reflexive consciousness and the meanings derived from lived experiences.

    Key Figures in Non-Positivist Thought

    • Edmund Husserl: Founded phenomenology; emphasized the importance of consciousness and individual experience.
    • Alfred Schutz: Linked sociology with lived experience, viewing social structures as contexts for human interaction.

    General Elements of Non-Positivist Methodologies

    • Focus on internal perspectives of human experience rather than external observations.
    • Challenges the applicability of natural science methods to social phenomena.
    • Acknowledges the complexity and subjectivity inherent in human behavior.

    Conclusion

    • The shift from strict positivist approaches to more interpretative and phenomenological methods enriches the understanding of social dynamics.
    • Acknowledgment of diverse perspectives is crucial for comprehensive sociological inquiry.### Husserl and Phenomenology
    • Systematic investigation of consciousness.
    • Husserl rejected the notion that external objects exist independently; argued for reliance on personal consciousness.
    • Certainty arises from direct experience, ignoring anything external, treating realities as pure 'phenomena.'
    • Named his philosophical method 'phenomenology,' focusing on the study of pure phenomena.
    • Notable phenomenologists include Peter Berger and Alfred Schutz.

    Symbolic Interactionism

    • A theoretical framework emphasizing the creation of self-concept through interpretation of symbolic gestures, words, actions, and others' appearances during social interactions.
    • Coined by Herbert Blumer, building on George Herbert Mead's ideas.

    Four Basic Tenets of Symbolic Interactionism

    • Actions are responses to the meanings objects or gestures hold for individuals.

    • Interactions occur within defined social contexts where meanings are collectively understood.

    • Meanings evolve from continuous interactions within society, illustrated by childhood learning processes.

    • Meanings are dynamic and can change through social interaction.

    • Blumer emphasized qualitative research and 'sympathetic introspection' for understanding human behavior.

    Deconstruction and Discourse

    • Deconstruction involves analyzing subjects by breaking them down into smaller parts for context and historical understanding.
    • Textual analysis assumes that meaning is not fixed, changing over time or through perspective.
    • Foucault defines discourse as ways of constituting knowledge along with associated social practices and power relations.

    Positivism and Its Critique

    • Objectivity is defined as freedom from personal biases; encompasses fact (empirically verifiable) and value (desirable).

    The View from Nowhere

    • Thomas Nagel’s concept of objective qualities highlights that perceptions are influenced by individual perspective but objective reality remains constant.

    • Bernard Williams refers to this view as the 'absolute conception.'

    • Thomas Kuhn posits that observations are theory-laden, shaped by underlying paradigms.

    Value Freedom in Scientific Inquiry

    • Max Weber identified four stages where values affect scientific inquiry: choosing a research problem, gathering evidence, accepting hypotheses, and applying research results.
    • Contextual values influence the choice of topics and the societal relevance of scientific problems.

    Value-Free Ideal

    • Scientists should minimize contextual values during data collection and theory assessment to maintain objectivity.
    • Cognitive values indicate a theory's truth, such as predictive accuracy, scope, and explanatory power.

    Perspectives on Fact, Value, and Objectivity

    • Positivism posits a dichotomy between fact and value.
    • Jurgen Habermas argues that complete separation is impossible due to human-centric study.
    • Vilfredo Pareto advocates for studying 'what is' instead of 'what ought to be.'

    Challenges to Objectivity

    • Problems arise at various stages: topic choice, data accumulation, and theory testing, leading to potential biases.
    • Critiques of different interpretations of the same facts underscore the influence of researchers' viewpoints.

    Ensuring Objectivity

    • Comte suggests positivist methods for studying macro aspects.
    • Durkheim emphasizes inductive techniques and statistical analysis.
    • Other suggestions for maintaining objectivity include peer reviews, acknowledging biases, and using triangulation to validate findings.

    Quiz

    • Key thinkers in positivism: Auguste Comte and Max Weber.
    • Weber introduced the concepts of Verstehen and Ideal Types to enhance objectivity in research.

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    Description

    Explore the key concepts of Chapter 2 in Research Methodology. This quiz covers the scientific method, positivism, and critiques of various research methodologies. Test your understanding of objectivity and the distinctions between fact and value.

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