Participant observation, unstructured interviews, diaries, letters. Sociology can be scientific by following scientific procedures- having a testable hypothesis, evidence. Sociology develops models of the underlying structures in society, which are evaluated with empirical evidence. Sociology can not be a science as sociologists do not agree on one accepted paradigm. Complete value-freedom or scientific objectivity is not possible within sociology.
All sociologists commit themselves and are directed by a particular set of 'domain assumptions'.
We are subjective beings, therefore research can not be objective. Criticism of Anti-Positivism Research is biased due to subjectivity of researcher, thus results are 'fictional' accounts. This worksheet was posted by Beth Perry of the Social Science PGCE group, University of Leicester 1999-2000. This document has been approved by the head of department or section. If you are an authorised user you may edit this document through your Web browser.