Sociology is a generalized, independent, abstract and ethically unbiased social science; theoretical knowledge of the discipline is obtained through rational and empirical methods.
Independent Social Science
Sociology is not a branch of any discipline but an independent discipline itself. It is not a physical science but a social science. It is the study of social universe rather than physical universe. Moreover, sociology has its own research methodology and subject matter limitation.
Social Science
Sociology comes into the category of social sciences not physical sciences like, physics and astronomy.
Ethically Unbiased
The primary concern of sociology is to study; how and why individuals behave the way they do within a society? And what are the short and long term consequences of their social behavior? Sociologists examine patterns of human social behavior indiscriminately, they avoid value judgments. While sociologists conduct social research they do not judge other cultures by comparing it with their own culture, because it compromises the reliability and validity of the study.
Abstract Science
Sociology is not a concrete science of social events however, it examines the patterns of social interaction as well as, the factors which influence the development and maintenance of those patterns these include, culture, social institutions, social organization, associations, social roles and statuses.
Generalizing Science
Sociology does not focus on any particular area of society or a specific social events like other social sciences disciplines do. For instance. Political science focusses on the study of politics and political events. Furthermore, it is not either like history for example in history, war is explain particularly as an event such war of Plessy, Afghan war, world war 1 etc…. whereas, sociology is generalized science and study war generally as a social phenomenon. Sociologists study impacts of war on the social life of the people.
General Science
Sociology does not focus on a specific aspect of human behavior, it almost cover every aspect of human life. Which are, social interaction, institutions, groups, culture, demographics, social organization, evolution, associations and social roles.
Rational and empirical science;
Social knowledge can be obtained from two methods which are “empirical” and “rational study methods”. In “empirical method” the knowledge is obtained from the following process; hypothesis is developed with the help of observations, moreover, data is collected, concerning hypothesized social event or problem; there are many methods of data collection. However, there are two types of data; primary data and secondary data. After data collection, data is tested with the help of scientific statistical method and analysis, to prove the hypothesis right or wrong. Whereas in rational method, theories are supported with logical reasoning.
