Sociology & the Scientific Method: Crash Course Sociology

The video explains how sociology is a science that uses the scientific method to study the social world. It introduces positivism, a philosophy that emphasizes objective, fact-based theories. The video discusses quantitative and qualitative research methods, highlighting the challenges of studying human behavior, such as the Hawthorne effect. It also covers interpretive sociology, which focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world, and critical sociology, which emphasizes the need for social change.

What distinguishes sociology from other sciences like biology or chemistry?

How does the scientific method apply to sociology?

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data in sociological research?

What are the limitations of positivist sociology?

Explain the concept of the Hawthorne effect and its significance in sociology.

How does interpretive sociology differ from positivist sociology?

What role do values play in critical sociology?