Sociology as a Science

Going into the discussion of sociology as a science, first we will discuss that what is science and what are its characteristics. Then we will find out those characteristics in the discipline of sociology. If those were present in this discipline, we will call it a science, other wise not. Science is discussed with its characteristics as below:

Science. Science is the systematic body of knowledge, covering both theory and fact, derived from the application of well-disciplined tools. Science has its characteristics, which are discussed as under:

Science as knowledge. Science is a body of organized, verified knowledge, which has been secured through scientific investigation. As knowledge it includes concepts, inter relationship these concepts explanation of the concepts and its relationship, prediction on the basis of explanation etc. It means that scientific knowledge can be passed through the stages of concepts, its relationship, explanation and prediction.

Science as methods. Science is a method of study whereby a body of organized, verified knowledge is discovered Scientific methods can be having the characteristics of observation, hypothesis, and verification and re verification and measurement. These are the stages through which we can pass a scientific method.

From the discussion it is assumed that an event is to be examined, it may be empirically tested to accept or reject it, then passing through verification and re verification through induction and deduction methods and at last stage the data is to be measured for getting the quantity of validity.

Science as tools. Techniques or tools are different in physical science than the social sciences. These tools are more exact and precise in physical sciences. These tools are microscope telescope etc. for example.