How is sociology a science?

Answer 1

It depends on what you mean by 'science'. I am a sociologist, yet I do not consider myself a scientist. Some of my colleagues, however, do consider themselves scientists.

If by scientist you mean someone who looks at the world that you claim is objectively 'out there' and then infers causal relationships about that world, then sociologists are not scientists, because humans are infinitely more complex and difficult to comprehend than the things the 'hard scientists' study, such as rocks. If, however, you simply mean someone who goes out into the world, collects some information about that world (data), analyzes it and looks for patterns in it, then yes, perhaps sociologists are scientists.

The sticking point comes when sociologists and other social scientists want to claim that they have definitively figured something out or even can figure that thing out. Sociologists can't and never will be able to know why people get divorced, for example, and anyone who claims otherwise is either naive, crazy or ignorant (often they're a combination of all three of those things).

For me, the primary difference between the hard (physics, chemistry, etc.) and soft (sociology, political science, geography, etc.) sciences is that, for a soft scientist, his or her data can never speak for themselves, whereas sometimes, though certainly not always, that claim can be made with reasonable accuracy in the hard sciences. Personally, I'd like to see sociology get away from the idea that we are a science, because we're headed in the wrong direction at that point.

Answer 2

It depends on what you mean by 'science'. I am a sociologist, yet I do not consider myself a scientist. Some of my colleagues, however, do consider themselves scientists.

If by scientist you mean someone who looks at the world that you claim is objectively 'out there' and then infers causal relationships about that world, then sociologists are not scientists, because humans are infinitely more complex and difficult to comprehend than the things the 'hard scientists' study, such as rocks. If, however, you simply mean someone who goes out into the world, collects some information about that world (data), analyzes it and looks for patterns in it, then yes, perhaps sociologists are scientists.

The sticking point comes when sociologists and other social scientists want to claim that they have definitively figured something out or even can figure that thing out. Sociologists can't and never will be able to know why people get divorced, for example, and anyone who claims otherwise is either naive, crazy or ignorant (often they're a combination of all three of those things).

For me, the primary difference between the hard (physics, chemistry, etc.) and soft (sociology, political science, geography, etc.) sciences is that, for a soft scientist, his or her data can never speak for themselves, whereas sometimes, though certainly not always, that claim can be made with reasonable accuracy in the hard sciences. Personally, I'd like to see sociology get away from the idea that we are a science, because we're headed in the wrong direction at that point.

Answer 3

because in sociology you scientifically study the behaviors of people in social groups. Sociologists utilize the "the scientific method, of research, hypothesis,induction, deduction, testing, and making conclusions.

Answer 4

sociology is a science because it follows the basic principles of the natural sciences; such as hypothesis Social and natural sciences use 'the scientific method' to create and test theories in hopes of finding underlying principles for how things work the way they do. The scientific method emphasizes research that can be verified by another team independently taking the same steps and getting the same results. By relying on such research, sciences test hypotheses in order to confirm or refine the results expected based on deductive reasoning from a general theoretical prediction. Sometimes many observations are not explained adequately by existing theories. Then inductive reasoning is used to puzzle out major changes needed, possibly even new theories. Both deductive and inductive reasoning are part of a scientific approach. It is the testing of hypotheses that sets science apart from non-science, such as philosophy or art. Sociology is a science because it uses scientific methods. Social Sciences, including sociology, face unique challenges in applying scientific methods. Unlike natural sciences, there are many hypothesis which cannot be tested in a laboratory or face substantial ethical limitations. Therefore, social sciences often have to rely heavily on additional experimental designs beyond the classic methods. This does make it harder to reproduce experimental results easily and requires careful experiment design and extra rounds of testing by other researchers.

Answer 5

Nature of Sociology as a Science-It is common tendency ,whenever we use the word science ,its automatic meaning is with Biology, physics and chemistry. It is very difficult for common person to understand that study related with social life can be called science? Actually science is not any subject of study, rather it is a nature in itself. When we conduct any study with scientific method like collecting data, and verify it again and again, than it is called science. Like at freezing point water will convert into ice. Sill we have to understand what is science? Meaning and features of Science-In words of Martindale, the science's relation is with scientific method not with subject matter. Science covers the broad field of knowledge that deals with observed facts and the relationships among those facts. The word science comes from the Latin word scientia, which means knowledge. Science uses a systematic methods of study to make observations and collect facts. They then work to develop theories that help them order or unify related facts. Scientific theories consist of general principles or laws that attempt to explain how and why something happens or happened. A theory developed by a scientist cannot be accepted as part of scientific knowledge until it has been verified by the studies and experiments of other researchers. In fact, for any knowledge to be truly scientific, it must be repeatedly tested experimentally and found to be true. This characteristic of science sets it apart from other branches of knowledge.In lay man language we can say that there is relationship between cause and consequences.In short following are features of science. 1-Use of scientific method-it means it should have impartial collection of datas, as they are in real sense. 2-Impartial observation-Without feeling and emotions with impartial view ,one should have to observe minutely . 3-Classification and interpretation of data-Carefully one has to interpret the data and than classify them according to common features, so that one can do comparative study. 4-Descrption of What is? science is not based on any imagination. It is not about "what ought to be? "but what is" is more important. 5-Relatioship between cause and consequence-Every phenomenon has reasons /causes ,why it occurs?Same way consequences are equally important. There is always relation between two. 6-Generalization- It is the assumption that what is true of a some cases is true in general. On the basis of Generalization, scientific rules are framed. 7-Pridictablity -the Pridictablity is important so that accuracy of event can be noticed. How sociology is science? 1-Sociology also uses scientific method- Sociology many scientific methods like experimental method, historical methods, comparative method and structural functional methods. With the help of all methods sociology studies abstract as well as concrete facts. 2-Impartial observation of phenomenon-Due to various available scientific methods, sociologist does Impartial observation of phenomenon. For sake of objectivity he takes help of questionnaire, schedule and case study. On the basis of these one can find reality of human behavior. 3- Classification and interpretation of data-The study of sociological research is not limited only to collect data . one has to interpret the data and than classify them according to common features, so that one can do comparative study .For example take the case of divorce. by making few groups we can classify and conclude the real causes of it. 4- Description of "What is" in sociology- there is no place of individual view in social research. For example we don't raise questions like "juvenile delinquency or suicides should committed" ?Sociologist just search what are causes of suicides? 5-Relatioship between cause and consequence-Every social phenomenon has reasons /causes ,why it occurs? Same way consequences are equally important. There is always relation between two .For example we to find out what are causes of corruption ? how corruption is influence to entire society? 6-Generalization- It is the assumption that what is true of a some cases is true in general. On the basis of Generalization, sociological rules are framed. These rules has capacity to predict the future things. For example.it is common rule that 'there is lower status of women in society' .Due to this family disorganization can be predicted. To see above points one can say sociology has all the qualities called to be science. Objections Against Scientific nature of Sociology-the following are objection against its nature. 1-Social phenomenon are abstract in nature, therefore scientific observation is not possible in it. 2- Social phenomenons are so complicated and changeable that the conclusion of particular phenomenon can not be applicable to all. 3-it is very difficult to conduct impartial study. In science there is no attachment with oxygen or hydrogen, but when he conduct on human being he feels prejudice and such feelings includes in study. 4- Social phenomenon's can not be measured like phenomenon of natural sciences. 5- Social phenomenon can not be tested in labortry. 6-Pridiction is not possible in Social phenomenon. The above objections are not acceptable by social scientists. The complicated nature of Social phenomenon can be find out by our thorough knowledge of subject. As far as abstract nature is concerned, even subject matter of natural sciences are abstract .We can not see oxygen ,only we can feel it. If measurement is base of science than even shoe maker makes shoes as per measurement. As far as experiment in lab is concerned, Newton did not conduct his research of gravitation in lab. Even prediction done by natural sciences are not always true. Therefore nature of sociology is also scientific. Robert Biersteadt have solved the problem by giving some statements. Robert Biersteadt has in his book, 'The Social Order' ,mentioned the following features of nature of sociology; 1-Sociology is social not a natural science. 2- Sociology is categorical or positive and not a normative science. 3- Sociology is pure or theoretical science and not an Applied science. 4- Sociology is an abstract science and not a concrete one. 5- Sociology is a generalizing and not particularizing science. 6- Sociology is both a rational and an empirical science.

Answer 6

Sociology is considered a science because it uses systematic methods of inquiry to study society and human behavior. It applies empirical research, data collection, and analysis to develop and test theories about social phenomena. By following the scientific method, sociology seeks to understand and explain patterns of social interaction and relationships.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Yes.