10 Mark Questions Flashcards
Outline and explain two strengths of using the interpritavist approach in social research.
The first (ethical) strength of using interpretivist research is through verhesten. Verhesten is defined as
Empathetic understanding of the sociologist carrying out research of the participant(s). Verhesten
Works by establishing rapport between the participant(s) so participants are more willing to give valid
Data, as they feel more comfortable. It tends to affect more vulnerable groups or groups that are harder
To access, such as gangs and participants involved with crime. An example of verhesten being achieved
In a sociologists research is Venkatesh’s ‘gang leader for a day’. Originally, Venkatesh’s approach was more positivist, as the university had given him structured, pre meditated questions to ask participants in the gang area, however Venkatesh soon found himself held hostage for 24 hours by a gang, as they thought he was from a rival drug gang. He had to quickly adapt and change his approach to a more interpretivist one, using participant observation and unstructured interviews, which allowed room for him to have more verhesten, so gang members allowed him in to observe and talk to them, and they gave more valid answers to his questions, as they had more rapport for him. This study demonstrates verhesten in interpretivist research is important as it provides more valid data.
The second (theoretical) strength of using interpretivist data is that it produces more valid data. Valid data is data that is more truthful, and can be trusted. Valid data is achieved when there is rapport between the sociologist and the participant. It uses a micro approach of research methods such participant observation and unstructured interviews, which are valid because they provide a more detailed analysis of the reasons behind participants thoughts and actions. It is often easier to achieve rapport when the sociologist has verhesten as participants feel more comfortable to share information. Valid data tends to be harder to achieve in vulnerable groups such as groups involved in crime or gangs, however an interpritavist approach in collecting data tends to have more room for verhesten, and therefore produces more valid data. An example of valid data being achieved through interpritavist methods is Venkatesh’s ‘gang leader for a day’ where he studied a drug gang in Chicago. Originally, Venkatesh’s approach was more positivist, as the university had given him structured, pre meditated questions to ask participants in the gang area, however Venkatesh soon found himself held hostage for 24 hours by a gang, as they thought he was from a rival drug gang. He had to quickly adapt and change his approach to a more interpretivist one, using participant observation and unstructured interviews, which allowed his to ask more in depth questions focused more on the participants motivations and meaning behind their actions, collecting more valid data. This study demonstrates validity in interpretivist research is important as it provides data that is more truthful.
Outline and explain two advantages of positivist methodology in social research
The first strength of using positivist data is through funding. Positivist data is much more likely to be funded by larger organisations such as universities, the government and other societies and organisations, as they know the data is more likely to be valid as the data is more objective and can’t be corrupted by the sociologist, who might have personal opinions on the topic. The data is therefore more useful to the larger organisations who can use this data to help them make important decisions to help societies. In addition, as the amount and type of data to be collected is more confirmed, sociologists can obtain a more accurate and precise estimate of the time and money needed to carry out the research, so when they present their research to the organisations, who will be more likely to fund it. An example of where funding is easier to obtain using positivist methods is the census in the uk that is released every 10 years. It obtains quantitative, objective data through questionnaires, such as direct questions like “are you employed?”. This example shows us that funding is easier to obtain using positivist methods.
PG 2: less likely to be affected by bias. Therefore is more reliable.
P E D L
S: Durkheim study of suicide (Venkatesh gang leader for a day as a negative example)
E: shown above
C: reliability, bias
T: functionalism (opposite post modernism and interpritavism) Marxism, feminism…
