How do theory and methods relate to each other in sociological research?

Theoretical perspectives shape methodological choices, while research findings can also lead to theoretical development and revision, creating a two-way relationship.

What is value freedom in sociological research?

Value freedom is the idea that sociologists should keep their personal values separate from their research, conducting objective analysis without moral judgements influencing findings.

What was Weber's position on value freedom in sociology?

Weber argued that while value freedom in research conduct is possible and desirable, values inevitably influence topic selection and interpretation of significance.

What does committed sociology argue about the role of values in research?

Committed sociology argues that sociologists should take sides and use research to expose inequality and promote social justice, rejecting claims of value neutrality.

What is social policy?

Social policy refers to government actions and interventions designed to address social problems and improve welfare in areas such as health, education, housing and poverty.

AQA A-Level Sociology 7192

Education

Topic overview The role and functions of education Class differences in educational achievement Labelling, subcultures and processes within schools Gender and educational achievement Ethnicity and educational achievement Selection and marketisation Privatisation and vocational education Educational policy, equality and globalisation

Methods in Context

Topic overview Access, gatekeepers and research ethics in schools Choosing methods for research in schools Data, theory and validity in educational research

Theory and Methods

Topic overview Research design and choosing a method Sources of data and types of data Positivism, interpretivism and research ethics Consensus, conflict, structural and social action theories Modernity and post-modernity Is sociology a science?Objectivity, value freedom and social policy

Culture and IdentityOptional topic

Topic overview Conceptions of culture Socialisation and the agencies of socialisation The self, identity and difference Identity, age, disability, ethnicity, gender and class Identity, production, consumption and globalisation

Families and HouseholdsOptional topic

Topic overview Functionalist views of the family Marxist and feminist views of the family The New Right, postmodernism and family policy Marriage, cohabitation and divorce Family diversity and the personal life perspective Conjugal roles and domestic labour Power relationships and domestic violence The social construction of childhood Birth rates and death rates Family size and the ageing population Migration and globalisation

HealthOptional topic

Topic overview The social construction of health and models of illness Class and gender inequalities in health Ethnic and regional inequality, and access to health care Mental illness and the power of the medical profession The sick role and the globalised health industry

Work, Poverty and WelfareOptional topic

Topic overview Poverty: definitions, explanations and distribution The welfare state and welfare provision The division of labour and the control of work Work, worklessness and life chances Globalisation and the global division of labour

Beliefs in SocietyOptional topic

Topic overview Ideology and science as belief systems Functionalist views of religion Marxist and feminist views of religion Religion as a force for social change Churches, sects, denominations and cults New religious movements and New Age movements Religion, gender, ethnicity, age and social class Secularisation Believing without belonging and postmodern religion Globalisation, fundamentalism and religion worldwide

Global DevelopmentOptional topic

Topic overview Theories of development and underdevelopment Globalisation, transnational corporations and aid agencies Aid, trade, industrialisation and urbanisation Environment, conflict and human development Population, gender and postcolonial critiques

The MediaOptional topic

Topic overview The new media and its significance Ownership, control and media globalisation The selection and presentation of the news Media representations of social groups Media effects and models of the audience Reception analysis and selective filtering

Stratification and DifferentiationOptional topic

Topic overview Theories of stratification Life chances and dimensions of inequality Defining and measuring social class Changing structures of inequality and globalisation Social mobility

Crime and Deviance

Theory and Methods

Objectivity, value freedom and social policy

3 things to know
Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Weber on value freedom, committed sociology, and how research reaches policy-makers.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Study

What is the difference between subjectivity and objectivity in research?

Evaluation

How can sociology contribute to evaluating existing policies?

Study

What factors influence the relationship between sociology and social policy?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
How do theory and methods relate to each other in sociological research?
Model answer
Theoretical perspectives shape methodological choices, while research findings can also lead to theoretical development and revision, creating a two-way relationship.
2
What is the difference between subjectivity and objectivity in research?
Model answer
Subjectivity refers to personal feelings, interpretations and biases that may influence research, while objectivity refers to research that is free from personal bias and based on observable evidence.
3
What is value freedom in sociological research?
Model answer
Value freedom is the idea that sociologists should keep their personal values separate from their research, conducting objective analysis without moral judgements influencing findings.
4
What was Weber's position on value freedom in sociology?
Model answer
Weber argued that while value freedom in research conduct is possible and desirable, values inevitably influence topic selection and interpretation of significance.
5
What does committed sociology argue about the role of values in research?
Model answer
Committed sociology argues that sociologists should take sides and use research to expose inequality and promote social justice, rejecting claims of value neutrality.
6
What is social policy?
Model answer
Social policy refers to government actions and interventions designed to address social problems and improve welfare in areas such as health, education, housing and poverty.

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Education

Methods in Context

Theory and Methods

Culture and Identity

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