Understanding Sociology as a Science

Sociological Theory and Philosophies

This course, by Dr Nathan Kerrigan (Birmingham City University) explores some key underpinnings of sociological theory and research. In the first lecture, we think about whether sociology is considered a science and from which perspectives different views are taken. In the second lecture, we think about some key philosophical perspectives which underpin some fundamental questions around how we approach sociological theory and research. Next, we think about some key interpretive lenses, or key sociological paradigms for capturing the social world. In the fourth and final lecture, we think about some important ways, with research examples, of how theory links to method.

Understanding Sociology as a Science

In this lecture, we think about sociology as a science, focusing in particular on: (i) defining a science as something which’s researchers uses testable hypotheses in their assessments of their subjects/environment; (ii) understanding a paradigm as a model for scientists to think about the world; (iii) the continued use of paradigms in the construction of research questions; (iv) using the movement of a rubber ball as an example of an event which can be differently interpreted, but that requires a paradigm to understand it in either instance; (v) Émile Durkheim and Auguste Comte, who argued that society is another form by which we can capture the world; (vi) some key ways in which a sociologist could conceptualise society, including personal interactions, fighting over resources, or as an organism; (vii) social facts, which are the raw and imperial pieces of information used by sociologists to explore the construct of the social world; (viii) approaching sociology from a qualitative perspective, which can be considered a more philosophical approach; (ix) differentiating macro and micro sociology.