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The Science of Sociology

When considering the field of sociology, many researchers reject the idea that it may be classified as a science in the same sense that biology and chemistry are. Indeed, many believe that because sociology studies phenomena that usually cannot be quantified, such as social life, social change, or the structure of social groups, it has little in common with hard sciences that concern themselves with the analysis of physical facts. However, there are many ways in which sociology has been influenced by science and the scientific spirit, leading many people to refer to it as a social science itself. Most notably, sociologists employ the scientific method used in physical science experiments to conduct their research. In using methods borrowed from science, sociologists are able to produce reliable, unbiased results that convey a great deal about the social world in which we live.

The scientific method is certainly crucial for research in physical sciences like physics and chemistry, but it is just as important to sociological research. In fact, in many ways it is even more critical for sociologists to employ the scientific method because their studies are often more ambiguous than those in the hard sciences. Indeed, sociological research must be ôcarried out according to a carefully organized, systematic research method that reduces the likelihood of overlooking facts or misunderstanding causesö (Calhoun et al. 9). Utilizing the principles and practices of modern scientific study allow sociologists to produce research that is not biased by an individualÆs personal experiences or opinions. Such research will be more accurate and reliable, and thus of greater use to future sociologists carrying similar studies (Schaefer 37).

As the scientific method is so crucial to sociological research, it is important to understand the way in which it is employed in such studies. The method ôrequires precise preparation...

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The Science of Sociology. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 18:30, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1711919.html