Pages 20, 21 and 22

WHAT IS A SCIENCE?
" A body of systematically arranged knowledge that shows the operation of general
laws" Tischler, 2002.

Auguste Comte believed that human behavior and the study of the natural sciences
are governed by the same laws. He also believed behavior was measurable, particularly
behaviors of crime, marriage and divorce are easy to measure via rates.

Giddens (1986) Science is the use of systematic methods of research and

investigation and the logical analysis of arguments in order to develop an understanding
of a particular subject matter.

E.T.C.O (THE CHARACTERISTICS THAT SOCIOLOGY AND SCIENCE

HAVE IN COMMON)
Empirical - Sociological knowledge (and the natural sciences) is based on solid
evidence from bias free procedures. Both follow the scientific method of acquiring
research.

Theoretical - Data obtained is then used to formulate theories (models that attempt to
explain various social phenomena) in Sociology there are different theoretical
perspectives ie, different viewpoints on the study of the same phenomena.

Cumulative - New knowledge is continuously built on what is already known. Durkhiem

built on the idea of society as an organism, first developed by Herbert Spencer.

Objective - The researcher tries to be dispassionate and unbiased at all times. The
researcher shouldn't let their own values and personal preferences influence the
research.

SOCIOLOGY AND VALUE FREE.

Research that is non ethical must be objective. In the study of society research must be
accurately reported and not distorted to side with what the researcher feels and agrees
with.
Sociology has developed approaches to ensure the study of human behaviour is as
easy to measure as possible.

EMPIRICISM
Empirical indicates that sociology is based on facts not value judgement, emotions or
opinions.
Imperialism restricts knowledge to the domain of experience and states that knowledge
should be based on that.
Comte, Locke and Bacon advocated for this.

RATIONALISM
This is opposing Empiricism.
Rationalism advocates that the mind recognizes reality by means of reason.
Descartes and Immanuel Kant were advocates of this.
There was another philosopher that believed there would be a mix between the two,
which would limit knowledge to the domain of experience while at the same time,
integrate sensations into the experience.
NB.
ALL THOSE ABOVE BELIEVE THAT THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF RESEARCH
CAN STILL BE USED AND THAT SOCIOLOGY SHOULD CONDUCT RESEARCH IN
THE SAME MANNER OF THAT DONE BY THOSE OF THE NATURAL SCIENCES.

There are some sociologists who believe that the study of sociology should be done in
a different manner than that of the natural sciences.
This school of thought states that since the subject matter of sociology is the study of
human beings, communities and societies, sociology cannot be studied using the same
laws as those used to study matter and the natural sciences.
Phenomenological and Ethnomethodologist (people who support this school of
thought) calls for more humanistic methods (qualitative methods) like unstructured
interviews.

Some theorists calls for a combination of both.

Ralf Dahrendorf and Max Weber agree.