What is the Scientific Method of Sociology?

Sociology as a scientific discipline has been attempting to develop its own technique of study. In comparison with other social sciences sociology has to face greater problems in evolving a satisfactory method. Though sociology is in its extreme infancy it tries to touch upon various aspects of man's social life in as precise a manner as possible. Man's social life is complex and multi-faceted. It is highly a challenging task for sociologists to collect, analyse, synthesise and finally generalise social data which are too numerous, complex and illusive. They are seeking out all the avenues of collecting and interpreting social data. Hence it has become quite natural for them to employ various methods in their study. A brief survey of some of these methods is given below.

The Scientific Method:

The basis of study of any science or discipline is its strategies. Sciences generally and science specially follow the methodology. The methodology has else a lot of to their believability and sound judgement. The methodology consists of sure steps or procedures that area unit to be followed exactly. A glance of those steps or procedures is given below.

(1) Formulation of the Problem

A 'problem' could be a gap in data, one thing not understood. It may be simple or complex. But this problem is to be defined properly. Otherwise, we tend to could miss the direction and efforts could also be wasted. A casual observation and a concept concerning the prevailing quantity of data on it specific issue could facilitate one to outline the matter properly.

(2) Formulation of Hypothesis

When the problem to be tackled is known we must have some idea to the new aspects that are likely to be discovered. These primary ideas which can guide United States in our study could also be termed as hypothesis. It is a tentative explanation of a phenomenon. It is a provisional supposition which is not yet proved but is anticipated to be correct.

(3) Observation and Collection of Data

The formulated hypothesis will have to be tested. This requires observation and collection of facts. In social investigations we collect data by interview, schedules, questionnaires, field observations, etc. The strategies of aggregation knowledge depend on the character of the analysis and also the resources at our disposal.

(4) Analysis and Synthesis

After the data have been collected they must be processed and analysed in order to draw proper inferences. This requires the classification of the data. Classification means arranging the data in different groups or classes according to their similarities or dissimilarities.

(5) Generalisation

After the data have been collected, processed, and analysed, we have to draw broad inferences or conclusions or generalisations.

(6) Formulation of Theory and Law

When a scientist has succeeded in describing and explaining the relation between various facts, he has formulated a theory. When these facts are tested and accepted by the mortal as invariably true the idea could also be properly thought to be a law.

Hypothesis-

Theory and Law At this time it's necessary to tell apart between hypothesis, theory and law. A hypothesis is generally formulated before the facts are observed properly. I deals with comparatively narrower range of facts. A theory is a tested hypothesis and deals wide range of facts. Theory is sometimes regarded as an elaborate hypothesis. When a theory is we established and found to be correct invariably, it is regarded as a law. We should note that we encounter some difficulties in applying scientific method to the study of social phenomena. Scientific method has a few limitations in sociology. Still, with some cations the scientific method is being followed even in social investigations. Science is defined as a systematic body of knowledge. Here the word 'system' refers to the method that is followed. This method is the scientific method. It is ordinarily followed within the case of physical sciences. A sociologist encounters some difficulties in applying this method in social researches. Scientific method has few limitations in sociology. This is due to the very nature of its subject matter.

The Limitations:

(1) Difficulty in the Use of Experimental Method

The laboratory of a sociologist is the world of everyday living. The sociologist does not have much control over the subjects of his investigation, that is, people. Here the people are not only conscious of, but also have their own motives, incentives, emotions, feelings, ideas values etc., which may affect the investigation very much. Social phenomena cannot be reproduced artificially at our will.

(2) Interdependence of Cause and Effect

In social investigations it is often difficult to determine which is the cause and which is the effect. Whether poverty is due to beggary, or beggary is due to poverty, we cannot be sure. Causation is reciprocal here. Further, one effect may have several causes. There is plurality of causation also.

(3) Intangibility of Social Phenomena

The social phenomena are not external tangible things that can be identified directly by our senses. We cannot see or touch relations. We cannot isolate our units in a laboratory. Customs cannot be handled and institutions cannot be measured, religion cannot be preserved in a museum and values cannot be demonstrated.

(4) Complexity of Social Data

The social research is about man and his social behaviour and activities. Human behaviour is influenced by many factors: physcial, social, psychological, etc., and the observer is simply confused with the complexity of data. No two persons are exactly alike. Hence generalisations are difficult to make.

(5) Unpredictability

Social behaviour is irregular and unpredictable. Society is dynamic. It is an ongoing process. Therefore, we cannot formulate laws that hold good for all societies and for all times and circumstances. Predictions are hence difficult to make.

(6) Problem of Objectivity

In social sciences the observer is a part of his data. He may have his own ideas, opinion, prejudices which are difficult to control. Hence objectivity is difficult to maintain. Hence, sociology, in addition to the scientific method makes use of other methods such as the comparative method, the statistical method, the social survey method, the case study method, questionnaire and interview ways and therefore the useful methodology so as to get additional reliable data concerning phenomena.

The Scientific Viewpoint:

Scientific outlook is incredibly essential for a learner of a discipline like social science. A man of Science yearns to know. The scientist has to make use of all the available sources and means for the search of knowledge. The scientific outlook or viewpiont refers mainly to the way in which an individual looks at the things. A individual, to be called a scientist, must have the scientific outlook or perspective.

To have this scientific outlook or viewpiont or perspective he must have certain qualities and follow certain basic norms. Some of them may be mentioned:

(1) The scientist likes and loves truth. He is after facts. He is clear in his view and careful in his statement of truth.

(2) The scientist maintains objectivity. He tries to separate his own wishes and values from the process of observation. He tries to manage his likes and dislikes that will have an effect on his inquiry.

(3) The scientist follows the amoral approach. He is ethically neutral. He never studies things as they ought to be. He deals with them as they are. He never makes value-judgments.