Choosing A Method

Question 1

Choosing a research method: In a nutshell

Answer 1

Positivists and interpretivists differ on their choice of research methods, depending on the type of data they produce, as well as their theoretical issues. Positivists prefer scientific, quantifiable data that is quick and easy to obtain, and is rich in reliability and validity. Interpretivists, on the other hand, value qualitative data that provides in-depth meaning of a small-scale research group, and is therefore rich in validity. The choice of research method is also determined by the practical, ethical and theoretical issues associated with it.

Question 2

Practical issues: Time

Answer 2

Some methods take more time than others because of, for example, more detailed data being recorded. Research methods that take more time may lead to a smaller research sample size.

Question 3

Practical issues: Money

Answer 3

The money available to conduct the research affects the number of researchers, respondents and amount of research time. Equipment, travel and people’s time are often not cheap.

Question 4

Practical issues: Access

Answer 4

Some groups of respondents and location are easier to access than others. For example, to enter a school to do research, permission is required.

Question 5

Ethical issues: Informed consent

Answer 5

Researchers should have the informed consent of their research subjects, because of the effects that the research may have on them.

Question 6

Ethical issues: Confidentiality

Answer 6

Research subjects have a right to anonymity, so they should not be identifiable when the research is published.

Question 7

Ethical issues: Psychological harm

Answer 7

Some research groups are more vulnerable to psychological harm than others (eg. children).

Question 8

Theoretical issues: Reliability

Answer 8

For a research method to be reliable, it must be able to be repeated and obtain similar results. Positivists favour reliable research and therefore use methods such as questionnaires and structured interviews, that can be repeated by any researcher due to the structured conditions.

Question 9

Theoretical issues: Representativeness

Answer 9

For a research method to be representative, the sample group must have similar characteristics to those of the wider population. Positivists value representativeness because they wish to discover general patterns and make cause and effect statements about social behaviour.

Question 10

Theoretical issues: Validity

Answer 10

Validity refers to how true the data is. Interpretivists emphasise the need to use research methods rich in validity, such as unstructured interviews and participant observations because they reveal the real meanings in which people hold.