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How to Write a Sociology Essay: Kuhn, Popper, and Durkheim Tips

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D๐Ÿซก

04/05/2023

Sociology

Sociology as a science essay- 20 marker

How to Write a Sociology Essay: Kuhn, Popper, and Durkheim Tips

This summary provides an overview of the debate on whether sociology can be considered a science, exploring various perspectives and methodologies in sociological research.

  • Social theory is central to the discussion, with different schools of thought offering contrasting views.
  • The debate revolves around the application of scientific methods to sociological research.
  • Key figures like Popper, Durkheim, and Keat and Urry contribute significant ideas to this discourse.
  • The essay structure (PEEEL) is outlined for addressing this topic in academic writing.
  • Various approaches, including positivism, interpretivism, and realism, are examined in relation to sociology's scientific status.
...

04/05/2023

1422

Sociology-20 marker:
Plan- PEEEL
Intro- some sociologists believe that sociology can/should be
I P1- can be > "replicating the logic and met

View

Contrasting Views and the Nature of Sociological Research

The second page continues the discussion on sociology's scientific status, presenting alternative perspectives and addressing the complexities of sociological research.

Interpretivists argue that sociology cannot and should not be a science. Their reasoning includes:

  1. Ethical concerns about studying conscious beings.
  2. The difficulty of controlling human subjects as variables.
  3. The challenge of observing internal meanings behind actions and behaviors.

Quote: "Other perspectives have different views" such as interpretivists who believes that sociology cannot be a science and should not be a science.

Interpretivists emphasize that sociology can only show patterns, not establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships due to numerous extraneous variables.

The realist perspective, represented by Keat and Urry, suggests that sociology's scientific status depends on the definition of science. They distinguish between:

  1. Closed systems: All variables are controlled sociologydoesnโ€ฒtfitthismodelsociology doesn't fit this model.
  2. Open systems: Not all variables can be controlled sociologycouldfitthismodelsociology could fit this model.

Highlight: Depending on the definition of science, sociology could be considered a science under an open system model.

Popper's concept of falsification is revisited, emphasizing that scientific hypotheses should be open to retesting and potential disproval. The swan analogy is mentioned to illustrate this principle.

Example: The swan analogy demonstrates how hypotheses can be retested and proven wrong, supporting the concept of falsifiability.

Popper argues that some elements of sociology, such as social cohesion, cannot be easily falsified, challenging sociology's current scientific status. However, this leaves room for sociology to potentially become more scientific in the future.

The conclusion suggests that sociology's status as a science remains ambiguous, with evidence supporting both sides of the argument. This reflects the complex nature of sociological research and its position between natural sciences and humanities.

Highlight: Overall, sociology could be a science; it's neither definitively a science nor definitively not a science, as there is evidence supporting both positions.

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How to Write a Sociology Essay: Kuhn, Popper, and Durkheim Tips

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@academia_21

This summary provides an overview of the debate on whether sociology can be considered a science, exploring various perspectives and methodologies in sociological research.

  • Social theory is central to the discussion, with different schools of thought offering contrasting views.
  • The... Show more

Sociology-20 marker:
Plan- PEEEL
Intro- some sociologists believe that sociology can/should be
I P1- can be > "replicating the logic and met

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Contrasting Views and the Nature of Sociological Research

The second page continues the discussion on sociology's scientific status, presenting alternative perspectives and addressing the complexities of sociological research.

Interpretivists argue that sociology cannot and should not be a science. Their reasoning includes:

  1. Ethical concerns about studying conscious beings.
  2. The difficulty of controlling human subjects as variables.
  3. The challenge of observing internal meanings behind actions and behaviors.

Quote: "Other perspectives have different views" such as interpretivists who believes that sociology cannot be a science and should not be a science.

Interpretivists emphasize that sociology can only show patterns, not establish definitive cause-and-effect relationships due to numerous extraneous variables.

The realist perspective, represented by Keat and Urry, suggests that sociology's scientific status depends on the definition of science. They distinguish between:

  1. Closed systems: All variables are controlled sociologydoesnโ€ฒtfitthismodelsociology doesn't fit this model.
  2. Open systems: Not all variables can be controlled sociologycouldfitthismodelsociology could fit this model.

Highlight: Depending on the definition of science, sociology could be considered a science under an open system model.

Popper's concept of falsification is revisited, emphasizing that scientific hypotheses should be open to retesting and potential disproval. The swan analogy is mentioned to illustrate this principle.

Example: The swan analogy demonstrates how hypotheses can be retested and proven wrong, supporting the concept of falsifiability.

Popper argues that some elements of sociology, such as social cohesion, cannot be easily falsified, challenging sociology's current scientific status. However, this leaves room for sociology to potentially become more scientific in the future.

The conclusion suggests that sociology's status as a science remains ambiguous, with evidence supporting both sides of the argument. This reflects the complex nature of sociological research and its position between natural sciences and humanities.

Highlight: Overall, sociology could be a science; it's neither definitively a science nor definitively not a science, as there is evidence supporting both positions.

Sociology-20 marker:
Plan- PEEEL
Intro- some sociologists believe that sociology can/should be
I P1- can be > "replicating the logic and met

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sociology as a Science: Perspectives and Debates

The first page of the transcript delves into the ongoing debate about whether sociology can be considered a science. It outlines various perspectives on this issue, focusing on the positivist approach and its critics.

The essay structure is introduced using the PEEEL Point,Evidence,Explanation,Evaluation,LinkPoint, Evidence, Explanation, Evaluation, Link method, providing a framework for discussing this complex topic. The introduction suggests that sociologists have diverse views on sociology's scientific status.

Highlight: Some sociologists believe that sociology can be a science, others totally disagree, and some believe it could be a science.

Positivists argue that sociology can and should be a science. They advocate for replicating the logic and methods of natural sciences in sociological research. This approach involves:

  1. Observing and analyzing patterns to create social facts.
  2. Using inductive reasoning to support hypotheses.

Vocabulary: Inductive reasoning - A method of reasoning in which the premises seek to supply strong evidence for notabsoluteproofofnot absolute proof of the truth of the conclusion.

However, Karl Popper, a prominent philosopher of science, rejects this perspective. He proposes that sociology should use deductive reasoning and the concept of falsification for hypotheses.

Definition: Falsification - The principle that a claim or theory can be proven false by an observation or experiment.

The positivist approach is further illustrated through Durkheim's study on suicide rates in Europe. This study exemplifies how quantitative data can be used to objectively test hypotheses in sociology.

Example: Durkheim's study found higher suicide rates in societies with no religion, establishing patterns across European countries.

While this study supports the view of sociology as a science, it faces criticism regarding the reliability of suicide statistics and the difficulty of operationalizing certain sociological concepts like social cohesion.

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Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didnโ€™t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as Iโ€™m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ฒ๐Ÿค‘๐Ÿ’—โœจ๐ŸŽ€๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Elisha

iOS user

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iOS user