Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the most famous approach to sociology, according to the text?
What is the most famous approach to sociology, according to the text?
- Positivist (correct)
- Paradigm
- Critical
- Interpretive
Which social science is not considered a natural science?
Which social science is not considered a natural science?
- Sociology (correct)
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
What is the difference between "basic" and "applied" research?
What is the difference between "basic" and "applied" research?
- Basic research is used to make predictions, while applied research is used to test hypotheses.
- Basic research is designed to explain things, while applied research is designed to solve problems. (correct)
- Basic research is qualitative, while applied research is quantitative.
- Basic research is used to solve specific problems, while applied research is used to understand social phenomena.
What is the term used to describe the set of assumptions and beliefs that affect how we understand things?
What is the term used to describe the set of assumptions and beliefs that affect how we understand things?
Who is considered a key figure in early positivism?
Who is considered a key figure in early positivism?
According to positivism, what is the primary aim of science?
According to positivism, what is the primary aim of science?
Which of the following research methods are likely to be used by positivist sociologists?
Which of the following research methods are likely to be used by positivist sociologists?
What is the name of the method of questioning that is used to explore a topic in depth?
What is the name of the method of questioning that is used to explore a topic in depth?
Flashcards
Science in Sociology
Science in Sociology
The application of scientific methods to study social phenomena.
Paradigm
Paradigm
A set of assumptions and beliefs that shape understanding.
Positivism
Positivism
A scientific approach focusing on observable, objective facts, founded by Auguste Comte.
Auguste Comte
Auguste Comte
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Altruism
Altruism
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Quantitative Approach
Quantitative Approach
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Basic Research
Basic Research
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Applied Research
Applied Research
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Study Notes
Approaches to Science in Sociology
- Sociologists use various approaches to study social phenomena
- There's no single agreement on the nature of science in sociology
- Three main approaches are considered scientific: Positivist, Interpretive (or interactionist), and Critical (or conflict)
Paradigms
- These approaches are paradigms
- A paradigm is a set of assumptions and beliefs that shape how people understand things
- Paradigms often contain unstated assumptions that researchers take for granted
Positivist Social Science
- The most famous approach
- Rooted in the work of Auguste Comte (1798-1857) and others
- Comte coined the terms sociology and altruism
- Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) is another key figure in early positivism
- Positivist sociologists today often use experiments, surveys, and statistics
- This is known as a "quantitative" approach
- Positivists believe that the methods of the natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology) should be applied to the social sciences
- Positivists aim to discover the natural laws governing social phenomena
- They seek to establish general principles that can be applied to large groups of people (e.g., domestic violence)
- They often derive predictions or hypotheses to test these laws
- "Basic" research focuses on explaining things, while "applied" research focuses on solving problems
In-Class Exercise
- The class is asked to develop a general principle to explain domestic violence, and a derived prediction of this principle that can be tested.
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