Positivism and Interpretivism

Question 1

What is Positivism?

Answer 1

Belief that sociologists should use scientific techniques to uncover socials facts like scientists who discovered laws about the physical world
look into society as a whole (macro)
use quantitative data which allows them to stay objective

Question 2

What are the criticisms of positivists AO3EV

Answer 2

-treats individuals as is they are passive and unthinking
-interpretivists argue people’s subjective realities are complex and need in depth qualitative research
-very shallow understanding of human behaviour

Question 3

What is interpretivism?

Answer 3

Developed by Max Webber, centred on the importance of meaning and action
recognise subjective experiences, beliefs, and behaviour are equally as important as objectivity
Verstehen- walking in someone else’s shoes
use qualitative data to give depth and detail

Question 4

What do positivists like? PERVERT

Answer 4

Reliability
Representativeness
Social facts
Objectivity
Cause and effect
Patterns and trends in data
Quantitative data

Question 5

What do interpretivists like? PERVERT

Answer 5

Validity
Interviews
Verstehen
Qualitative data
Depth and detail
Rapport
Subjectivity