Full Answer Section

Critical research focuses on exposing and challenging social inequality and oppression. Critical researchers use a variety of methods, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, to collect data. They then analyze the data to identify the root causes of inequality and oppression, and to develop solutions.

Emile Durkheim’s study of suicide can be classified as scientific research. Durkheim used quantitative data to test his hypothesis that suicide rates are higher in societies with higher levels of social anomie. Social anomie is a condition of social instability and normlessness that can occur during periods of rapid social change.

Karl Marx’s study of capitalism can be classified as critical research. Marx used historical analysis and critical theory to expose the contradictions and inequalities of capitalism. He argued that capitalism is a system that exploits workers and leads to social alienation.

Max Weber’s study of Protestantism and capitalism can be classified as interpretive research. Weber used historical analysis and comparative studies to understand the relationship between Protestantism and the rise of capitalism. He argued that Protestant values, such as the work ethic and the pursuit of individual salvation, played a role in the development of capitalism.

Conclusion

Interpretive, scientific, and critical sociological research are three different approaches to sociological research. Each approach has its own strengths and weaknesses. Interpretive research is good at understanding the meanings that people attach to their social world, but it can be difficult to generalize findings from interpretive studies to other populations. Scientific research is good at testing hypotheses about social phenomena, but it can be difficult to capture the complexity of social life in quantitative data. Critical research is good at exposing and challenging social inequality and oppression, but it can be difficult to develop solutions to these problems.

The work of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber can be classified into different types of sociological research. Durkheim’s study of suicide is an example of scientific research, Marx’s study of capitalism is an example of critical research, and Weber’s study of Protestantism and capitalism is an example of interpretive research.

Which approach best describes the works of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber?

It is difficult to say definitively which approach best describes the works of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber. All three scholars used a variety of methods in their research, and their work can be classified into different types of sociological research depending on the specific study.

However, Durkheim’s work is generally considered to be more scientific, Marx’s work is generally considered to be more critical, and Weber’s work is generally considered to be more interpretive. This is because Durkheim focused on testing hypotheses about social phenomena, Marx focused on exposing and challenging social inequality and oppression, and Weber focused on understanding the meanings that people attach to their social world.

It is important to note that these classifications are not mutually exclusive. For example, Durkheim’s study of suicide can also be considered to be interpretive, as he was interested in understanding the meanings that people attach to suicide. Similarly, Marx’s work can also be considered to be scientific, as he used evidence to support his claims.

Ultimately, the best way to understand the work of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber is to read their work and to consider the different ways in which they approached sociological research.