Positivism & Interpretivism Flashcards
Positivism
What is positivism in sociology?
A sociological approach that believes society can be studied using scientific, objective methods to discover social laws.
Positivism
What type of data do positivists prefer?
Quantitative data – numerical, structured data that allows patterns and trends to be identified.
Positivism
What research methods do positivists use?
• Surveys & Questionnaires – Produce large-scale, numerical data.
• Official Statistics – Government data for identifying social trends.
• Structured Interviews – Standardised questions for consistency.
• Experiments – Test cause-and-effect relationships.
Positivism
Why do positivists prefer structured methods?
They ensure reliability, objectivity, and the ability to generalize findings.
Positivism
What is the positivist view on society?
Society is shaped by social structures and external forces, which can be measured scientifically.
Positivism
What are the strengths of positivism?
• Allows for scientific, objective research.
• Produces large, representative samples.
• Enables comparisons over time.
• High reliability (can be repeated with the same results).
Positivism
What are the weaknesses of positivism?
• Ignores individual meanings and emotions.
• Can lack validity (data may not reflect real experiences).
• Overlooks interpretation and subjectivity in human behavior.
Interpretivism
What is interpretivism in sociology?
A sociological approach that believes society should be studied through understanding individuals’ meanings, experiences, and interactions.
Interpretivism
What type of data do interpretivists prefer?
Qualitative data – detailed, descriptive data that explores social meanings.
Interpretivism
What research methods do interpretivists use?
• Unstructured Interviews – Allow respondents to express their views freely.
• Participant Observation – Provides deep insight into social interactions.
• Personal Documents – Diaries, letters, and social media posts for understanding meanings.
• Case Studies – In-depth study of individuals or small groups.
Interpretivism
Why do interpretivists prefer unstructured methods?
They provide high validity and capture individual perspectives.
Interpretivism
What is the interpretivist view on society?
Society is shaped by social interactions and meanings, rather than external structures.
Interpretivism
What are the strengths of interpretivism?
• Provides rich, detailed insights into human behavior.
• Captures meanings, emotions, and experiences.
• High validity (reflects real-life experiences).
Interpretivism
What are the weaknesses of interpretivism?
• Small samples make it hard to generalize findings.
• Time-consuming and expensive.
• Less reliable (research may be subjective and difficult to replicate).
Comparing Positivism & Interpretivism
What is the key difference between positivism and interpretivism?
Positivism focuses on quantitative, objective data, while interpretivism focuses on qualitative, subjective data.
Comparing Positivism & Interpretivism
What do positivists and interpretivists say about human behavior?
• Positivists: Behavior is shaped by social structures and external forces.
• Interpretivists: Behavior is shaped by individual meanings and social interactions.
Comparing Positivism & Interpretivism
Which perspective is more scientific?
Positivism is more scientific because it relies on structured, measurable data.
Comparing Positivism & Interpretivism
Which perspective provides deeper insight into individuals?
Interpretivism provides deeper insight as it explores personal meanings and experiences.
