Choosing a Research Method (PET) - Theoretical Issues Flashcards
Benefit of interpretivism
Gives researcher deeper insight into human behaviour
What data does interpretivism come under?
Qualitative data
Micro study
In depth, small-scale research into individuals
What type of data is micro?
Qualitative data
How does qualitative data have high validity?
Because it produces a true picture of what something is like
How do positivists study society?
By using similar techniques to natural scientist
What type of data does positivism come under?
Quantitative data
What does a macro approach focus on?
Large numbers of people and structures of society as a whole
What type of data does the macro approach come under?
Quantitative data
What is a reliable method?
A method which can be repeated by another researcher to give the same results
What type of data is seen as reliable?
Quantitative data
What has to be asked to ensure that results are representative?
Does the group of people being studied represent wider society?
What do many sociologists argue qualitative methods give us?
A more truthful account of what it is like to be a member of a groupn
Example of a qualitative research method
Participant observation
Why must a researcher make sure that the participants in their study are representative of wider society?
To make sure that they can make generalisations
What type of data do interpretivists prefer?
Qualitative data
What type of data do positivists prefer? Why?
Quantitative data because they see sociology as a science
What do interpretivists seek to understand?
Social factors
Why is the theoretical perspective usually the most important factor of choosing a research method?
Because either qualitative or quantitative data can always be used in research
What do social institutions create according to positivists?
They create expectations of how individuals should behave and limit their choices and options
Example of a positivist
Durkheim
What does Durkheim believe to be the aim of sociology?
To study social facts
Social facts
External social forces making up society’s social structure that cause people’s ideas and actions
What can’t be studied by positivists?
The feelings, emotions and motives of an individual
What do positivists argue that sociology will be without quantification (numerical evidence)?
It will be a subject lacking evidence
What will a lack of numerical evidence result in?
An impossibility to replicate studies, establishes causes for social events and make generalisations
What do interprestivists believe people’s behaviour is influenced by?
The interpretations and meanings they give to social situations
What do interprestivists believe is more important than gaining statistical information?
The need to discuss and get personally involved with people in order to get at home the see and understand the world
Example of an interprestivist
Atkinson
Why do interprestivists questions that value of research methods used by positivists?
Because they impose the sociologist’s own view of what is important, rather than what may be important to the individuals being studied
