SOCI 2293 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: American Community Survey, Auguste Comte, Social Statics
Document Summary
Positivism is the scientific based sociological research that uses scientific tools such as survey, sampling, objective measurement, and cultural and historical analysis to study and understand society. Comte was originally interested in why societies remain the same (social statics) and why societies change (social dynamics). Most sociological research today falls within these broad categories. Objectivity is the ability to study and observe without distortion or bias, especially personal bias. Bias- free research is an ideal that, if not present will open the door to extreme misinterpretation of research findings. Sociology differs from chemistry, biology, and physics in that sociology does not manipulate the physical environment using established natural science theories and principles. It"s similar to chemistry, biology, and physics in that statistical principles guide the discovery and confirmation of data findings. Sociology has no universally social laws that resemble: gravity, e=mc2, or the speed of light.
