Advantages of qualitative methods in sociological research. Flashcards
P1: Why do interpretivists favour unstructured interviews?
They allow for an in-depth understanding of social actors’ meanings, providing valid, qualitative insights into experiences, motives, and worldviews.
What is the main advantage of unstructured interviews?
They are flexible and open-ended, allowing the interviewer to probe deeper into responses and avoid imposing their own framework.
What is an example of unstructured interviews in sociological research?
Dobash and Dobash used unstructured interviews to explore women’s personal accounts of domestic violence, uncovering hidden dynamics of abuse.
What is a strength of unstructured interviews for interpretivists?
They let respondents’ voices shape the findings, aligning with the interpretivist view that society should be understood from individuals’ perspectives.
What are the limitations of unstructured interviews?
They are time-consuming, difficult to replicate, and may lack reliability and generalisability. Positivists argue the data is too subjective and potentially biased.
P2: Why do interpretivists value participant observation?
It allows researchers to uncover the meanings behind actions in natural settings, providing rich, first-hand data.
What is the main advantage of covert participant observation?
It enables researchers to immerse themselves in participants’ daily lives, revealing hidden practices or cultures that may not emerge in interviews.
What is an example of participant observation in sociological research?
James Patrick’s covert study A Glasgow Gang Observed involved him posing as a gang member to understand group dynamics authentically.
What is a strength of participant observation for interpretivists?
It captures context and natural behaviour, enabling verstehen (empathy), which is essential for understanding social actions.
What are the limitations of participant observation?
Ethical concerns arise with covert research (e.g., deception, lack of consent), and findings may lack objectivity or reliability due to the researcher’s personal involvement.
P3:Why do interpretivists value personal documents?
They offer authentic, first-person accounts of social life, providing insight into how individuals interpret events, identities, and experiences.
What is the main advantage of using personal documents?
They give access to subjective meaning without researcher interference and allow for longitudinal insights into social change.
What is an example of personal documents in sociological research?
Thomas and Znaniecki’s study The Polish Peasant in Europe and America used letters and diaries to analyse the experiences of Polish migrants.
What is a strength of personal documents for interpretivists?
They provide rich, qualitative data on identity, values, and social change over time, without researcher bias.
What are the limitations of personal documents?
They can be difficult to access, interpret, or verify, and may be too individualised to generalise. Some documents may also be written with an audience in mind, affecting validity.
