About Science.
The utilization of a systematic method for experimental investigation, data analysis, logical assessment, and theoretical thinking of arguments regarding any subject matter is called science. Science Scientific Method And Critique
Science is just like sociology that carries out studies on some natural phenomenon. For this reason, it can be inferred that sociology is a scientific attempt.
Sociology as science!
Sociology can not be directly envisioned as natural science as studying the social life of human beings is far different from merely observing any event in the physical world. Not like the objects and events, human beings are self-aware. Science Scientific Method And Critique
They carry a common sense and specific purpose to be followed in their lives. Thus, without learning about the concept that an individual applies to his behavior and living, a sociologist can never explain his social life with accuracy. Science Scientific Method And Critique
Considering an example, if we want to explain the cause of death suicide, we must have apt knowledge of what the person in question was thinking before taking such an action. As per the sociological inferences, suicide can only take place when a person has some sort of self-destruction in mind.
In case a person accidentally stepped forward in a fast-moving car and gets killed, he can’t be declared to have committed suicide. Science Scientific Method And Critique
However, the implementation of scientific tools in sociology started right from the period of modernity. In the initial phase, sociologists tried to develop sociology on basis of natural sciences. Different sociologists came up with terminologies indicating the application of science. Science Scientific Method And Critique
For instance, Saint Simon gave social physics, August Comte made use of statistics and dynamics, Herbert spencer gave the concept of organismic analogy, and Durkheim mentioned moral diversity and values. But it was concluded that sociology can’t stand along with all the parameters of natural science, and the debate ‘whether sociology is a science’ came into the limelight. Science Scientific Method And Critique
The scientific method.
The Scientific method is the search for reality as determined by reasonable concerns. The major aim of science is to reach a systematic interrelation of proofs. This is so achieved by the use of experimentation, observation, and logical and theoretical arguments from already accepted facts. As sociology requires some of the tried and true methods for conducting research, the scientific method proves to be the best method out of all others.
Using a scientific method finds parameters that are helpful to get assured that outcomes are accurate and objective. The method includes evolving and testing theories about the world based on experimental data. There is a series of prearranged steps to carry out scientific research shown in form of a flow chart below.
The scientific method is based on certain elementary postulates mentioned below:
- It uses the relevant concepts
- Depending on experimental proofs
- Committed only to impartial considerations
- Its procedure is made recognized by all concerned for critical inspection and for checking reliability.
- It results in probabilistic estimates.
Criticism of the scientific method.
- Experimentation problem: It is practically impossible to control human behavior in a laboratory. Also, human beings can not be treated like guinea experimental animals ethically.
- Quantification is not possible: Only some aspects of sociology can be quantified using a statistical basis, but a major portion is qualitative.
- Generalization issues: Human behavior does not follow recurrent patterns like objects. Due to this specific generalizations can not be made.
A problem in objectivity: Due to the theoretical nature of sociology, objectivity is nearly impossible in the study of social human behavior.
