The Values on Sociological Research of Value Free Sociology, Value Laden and Committed Sociology

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The Values on Sociological Research of Value Free Sociology, Value Laden and Committed Sociology

Sociologists vary in their opinions on the effect of values on

research. Value free sociology is an opinion in sociology, started by

Emile Durkheim, that states that sociology should be seeking to use

methodology similar to that used in the physical sciences. One of the

key elements in their methodology to make it similar to the physical

sciences is objectivity. These positivists state that their values

have no effect on their research and that this should apply throughout

sociology. They argue that if a study is well planned it is possible

for the researchers personal beliefs to have no effect on the

findings. They argue that the nature of sociological research is no

different to that of any of the physical sciences, they are studying

and measuring a set of totally independent phenomena and constructing

and testing hypothesis as to the cause of this phenomenon. Positivists

also refer to social facts. These are the statistics obtained from

surveys and official publications. According to O’Connell Davidson and

Layder the personal views of the researcher are never relevant in

sociological research, and they point to the accuracy of opinion polls

on a range of subjects to display the accuracy of their surveys.

A second group of sociologists believe that weather objectivity is

desirable or not, it can never be achieved within sociology. They are

known as value laden sociologists. They also claim that sociologists

who argue that the subject is value free are doing it a dis-service.

They point to a number of issues to support their views. Gouldner has

pointed out that value free sociology points to Max Weber as a

sociologist who claimed that personal views never enter sociological

research. However Gouldner suggests that his words must be placed into

a historical context as he was living under an oppressive government

that frowned on intellectual freedom. They also point out that it is

impossible for sociology to be considered value free when we look at

the matter of funding.

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