Pure and Applied Sociology
by A distinction between pure and applied science is drawn in every scientific field.
Both pure and applied sociology and discussed below:
Pure Sociology. Pure sociology searches for new knowledge. It pertains to the objective and scientific study of society for the pure knowledge. Pure sociology is not interested in practical use of knowledge.
Applied Sociology. Applied sociology tries to apply sociological knowledge to solve practical problems. It is the practical application of sociological principles and insights to the analysis and understanding of a social situation. All the NGO’s, Research Associations, consultants, Researchers, social organizer social motivators and technocrats as sociologist are applying the pure knowledge of sociology to develop the human life.
THE ROLES OF THE SOCIOLOGIST
What is the proper task of the sociologist? Is it merely to observe human action with the calm, detached curiosity of the ecologist who counts the lemmings as they dive into the sea? Or should the sociologist rush into social action? Should he professor of sociology encourage students to develop a detached understanding of social phenomena or inspire them to man the barricades for social reform? What is the proper role for the sociologist in a changing society?
The Sociologist as Research Scientist Like all scientists, sociologists are concerned with both collecting and using knowledge they share in these tasks in various ways.
Conducting scientific research. AS a scientist, the sociologist’s foremost task is to discover and organize knowledge about social a life. Universities, government agencies, foundations, or corporations employ a number of full-time research sociologists, and many sociologists divide their time between teaching and research. Many university sociologists are engaged in “funded” research, with all or part of their salaries and their research expenses paid from research grants made by government agencies, foundations, or corporations. These grants are made to sociologists who submit an acceptable proposal for research on a particular topic. Since little research can be conducted without research funds, this gives the funding agencies great power to influence the direction of sociological research.
Radical critics of sociology (including some sociologists) claim that, behind a facade of ethical neutrality and objectivity, sociologists have prostituted their research talents to the support of the interests of the funding agencies, and have thus supported militarism, racism, and other forms of oppression [Gouldner, 1962, 1970, pp. 82-85; any issue of the insurgent sociologist].
Whether sociological research has been widely corrupted in this manner may be debated. What is indisputable is that problems of bias and partisanship are present I all research, and that research findings are often helpful to the interests of some people and damaging to the
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