The nature of science and can Sociology can be regarded as scientific?

Sociology

A level

AQA

8m 20s

in Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

In this podcast we consider the arguments for and against the idea that sociology is a science by exploring the positivist and interpretivist views. We end by critically examining just how ‘scientific’ the natural sciences are and use this to draw conclusions about sociology.

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1. Listen carefully to the podcast and make careful notes of key concepts and any key thinkers.

2. Briefly explain the era of ‘Enlightenment’

3. Outline the positivist position

4. Briefly summarise interpretivist criticisms of Durkheim’s work on suicide

5. Outline Thomas Kuhn’s challenge to the view that science as a united body of knowledge

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