Sociology and science, value freedom in sociological study:

• Know the difference between positivist and interpretivist views as to whether sociology can be considered a science and apply this to the topic of suicide
• Know a range of views on the natural sciences and their implications for sociology as a science
• Evaluate the arguments for and against the view that sociology can or should be a science
• Understand the meanings of objectivity, subjectivity and value freedom
• Evaluate whether or not sociology can be value free



Assess the view that sociology can and should model itself on the natural sciences (33 marks)