3.0  NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY; IS SOCIOLOGY A SCIENCE?

3.1: WHAT IS A SCIENCE?

The word ‘science’ is the derivative of the Latin word ‘Scire’ which means  “to Know”. Therefore, science is a way of knowing. It is a systematic body of knowledge. It is a system that is well arranged for the acquisition of knowledge.

Classification of science:

Physical Science: - kind of knowledge which deals with nature and the natural world. It studies the naturally occurring phenomena and how they relate to each other. It includes sciences such as Physics, Mathematics, chemistry, Geology, Geography, Astronomy, botany, zoology. Each of these sciences specializes on one of the different aspects of the natural world. Knowledge of these sciences is acquired through scientific methods and experiments. Its methods are verifiable and objective.

Social Science: - It is the body of knowledge which is concerned with the society and the social world. It studies the socially constructed phenomena and how they relate (interact) to each other. It also studies the structure of the society and the activities of its members. It includes sciences such as Anthropology, economics, communication, Psychology, History, Political science, and sociology.

Contrary to Physical sciences, social sciences apply methods which are less exact and sometimes difficult to verify. This is because social sciences deal with man who is a complex animal and has an ever-changing behaviour – which makes the objectivity of this science objectionable.

Therefore, Sociology is one of the social sciences which is explicitly concerned with activities of man and society. That is, its origin, structure, functions, development and problems of the society – poverty, beggary, population, crime, unemployment, etc.

      3.2 THE STANDARDS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY.

Objectivity:

Objectivity refers to the absence or exclusion of the influence of personal biases and values on the data/ reports or interpretation of results in a research study of any phenomenon. Personal creed (beliefs), political affiliations, racial relationships, status considerations, personal behavior/perceptions, gender biases, etc., of the investigator should not determine the findings of any study.

Replication:

Research or study should be conducted in such a way that other people with different biases and influences can replicate or study it again to bring out identical results to those of the original study.

Precision of measurements:

Phenomenon being studied should be measured precisely, with reliable measures and in valid ways. Accurate measurement is an important determinant of the standards of scientific theory

Note: In sociology absolute objectivity is impossible because the investigator himself is a product of the society with biases and influences. However, there are ways of minimizing the levels of subjectivity: by making the investigator recognize and eliminate his limitations(exercise self-control), base the study on a particular theory, or replicate the study.

Equally true is the fact that it is often impossible to duplicate studies in sociology because of the nature of the problems studied. How can one, fore instance, replicate the earthquake or the hollows of Rwandan genocide?

Of extreme difficult in sociology is the precise measurement of phenomena under study. Since sociology is a relative abstract subject, its abstract terms are difficult to measure. Sociologists use operationalization procedure to try to measure their concepts. That is, they select quantitative indicators of an abstract concept, determine what will be observed and how it will be measured.

3.3 UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIOLOGY

As a branch of knowledge, sociology has its unique characteristics which distinguishes it from other sciences:

It is an independent Science:

It has its own field of study, boundary and methods.

It is a social science and not a physical science

It is one of the members of the family of social sciences. It concentrates on man, his activities, behavior and life. It is also related with other social sciences.

It is a categorical and not a Normative discipline.

It deals with statements of what is and not what should be/ought to be. It does not pass value-judgments on issues; it is neither moral nor immoral but amoral (it is completely silent on the question of value).

It is a pure and not applied Science.

A pure science deals with acquisition of knowledge regardless whether that knowledge is useful or not. On the contrary, applied science aims at applying the acquired knowledge into life and use. However, sociology has its applied fields such as administration, diplomacy, social work, etc.

It is relatively an abstract science and not a concrete science.

Sociology is not concerned with concrete manifestations of human events. It is more concerned with the form of human events and their patterns. For example, sociology is not interested with particular wars, but is much interested in wars as type of social phenomena or social conflict. Similarly, sociology is not confined to the study of a particular group of society.

It is a generalizing and not a particularizing/individualizing science.

Sociology deals with the generation of general laws or principles about human interaction and associations, about the nature, form, content and structure of human groups or societies. It does not involve itself in studying each and every event taking place in society. Therefore, it only makes generalization by studying a few sampling events.

It is a general science and not a special social science

Sociology is concerned with human interaction and human life in general terms. It differs with other social sciences such as history, economics, political sciences which also study man and human interaction, but focus their attention only on certain aspects of human interaction and specializes on those areas/aspects.

It is both rational and empirical science

Empirical sciences emphasizes on experience and the facts that result from observation and experimentation. On the other hand, rational science stresses on reason and the theories that result from logical inferences. Empiricism and Rationalism are important approaches to any scientific knowledge. Sociology employs both empirical and rational investigations in its inquiries; and considers both to be significant.

Sociometry: It is the study of the inner structures of social groups and social relations. It is related to ideas of primary groups (Cooley).The components of the groups are studied as they are related to the group and the group as relates to the parts. Focuses o relations between individuals and this can even be expressed in graphic forms.

Sociometry concentrates on measurement. But what is measured is not social phenomena in general but rather interpersonal relations based on attraction and repulsion. Therefore, Sociometry is a method about the informal structure of human societies and groups. This method was propounded by Romanian thinker, Moreno.

Basic proposition of this theory is based on the fact that human beings form a network of intermental relations. Society can survive for long periods of time because of the existing possibilities of making choices by people (attraction and repulsions).These choices are measured by a point called ‘tele’. Tests of Sociometry produce diagrams called sociograms – a group map which indicates positive and negative choices of group members

Micro sociology – the study of small groups as compared to large or collective groups. Methods of Sociometry are found in the study of micro sociology.

             

                                                       source Mr Octavian Mahamba