Active learning ideas
Sociology aims to be a scientific discipline, which requires objectivity, the ability to study social reality without personal bias. However, because sociologists are themselves members of society, achieving complete objectivity is a major challenge. This topic introduces the tension between objectivity and subjectivity and the importance of 'reflexivity', the researcher's awareness of their own social position and biases.
Activity 01
Students are given different, limited 'data points' about a social event. They must try to describe the whole event, illustrating how their partial perspective (subjectivity) affects their conclusion.
Can sociological research be completely objective?
Activity 02
Students choose a controversial social topic (e.g., reservation policy). They share with a partner how their own background might influence their view on this topic and how they would try to be objective if they were researching it.
What is reflexivity in sociological research?
Activity 03
Groups look at two different news reports on the same event. They identify 'subjective' language and discuss which report seems more 'objective' and why.
How do personal biases affect research outcomes?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Objectivity means having no opinion at all.
Explain that objectivity means following a rigorous method to ensure that your opinions don't distort the data. A 'fact vs. opinion' sorting activity can help clarify this distinction.
Subjectivity is always bad in research.
Clarify that in some methods, like 'Verstehen' (empathetic understanding), the researcher's subjective insight is a tool for deeper understanding. Discussion on 'empathy in research' can illustrate this.
Methods used in this brief
Methods of Data Collection
Introduces various methods of data collection, including participant observation, surveys, and historical methods, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
8 methodologies
Surveys and Interviews
Focuses on the design, execution, and analysis of surveys and interviews as key tools for gathering quantitative and qualitative sociological data.
8 methodologies