Positivism - Methodology

Question 1

Why was sociology created?

Answer 1

To copy the success of the enlightenment by producing a science of society that could be used to eradicate social problems such as poverty, injustice and conflict

Question 2

What did Popper create?

Answer 2

The hypothetico-deductive method (see science flash cards)

Question 3

What is open mindedness?

Answer 3

On part of the researcher, and a willingness to consider all possibilities and evidence - demonstrate ‘fair play’

Question 4

What is value freedom?

Answer 4

Keeping personal prejudices and opinions out of the research process

Question 5

What is scrutiny?

Answer 5

Findings should be open to inspection and criticism

Question 6

What is quantifiable data?

Answer 6

To determine the quantity of data - data that can be counted or measured

Question 7

What is Positivism?

Answer 7

The view that logic, method and procedures of the natural sciences that are used in subjects such as Physics etc can be applied to the study of society

Question 8

Who was one of the first Positivists?

Answer 8

Comte - showed behaviour in the natural world is governed by laws in the same way as behaviour in the natural world

Question 9

What are social facts?

Answer 9

Durkheim: social phenomena that exist outside individuals but act upon them to constrain individuals

Question 10

How are social facts measured?

Answer 10

In most cases they can be observed and measured quantitatively

Question 11

How do Positivists explain human behaviour?

Answer 11

Suggest it is a response to observable social facts, and can be explained in terms of cause and effect relationships

Question 12

What methods do Positivists argue should be used to study society?

Answer 12

Quantitative and statistical methods. Feelings and motives of individuals cannot be measured/observed

Question 13

What do Positivists suggest research should be focused on?

Answer 13

The search for social causes of events in society. E.g. to establish a hypothesis about why people in some social classes suffer poorer health - look for these causes by looking at official statistics + surveys

Question 14

Why did Durkheim study suicide?

Answer 14

He believed that if he could show hat even such a highly individual act had social causes, this would establish Sociology’s status as a scientific discipline

Question 15

How did Durkheim study suicide?

Answer 15

Using quantitative data from Official Statistics

Question 16

What did Durkheim find in his suicide study?

Answer 16

There were patterns in suicide rates:
- Protestants had higher rates than catholics
= social facts responsible for determine the suicide rates were the levels of integration and regulation

Question 17

What are 4 advantages of quantitative data and the studies that show these?

Answer 17

• Fewer personal skills needed than qualitative methods (Willmott and Young)
• High in reliability and easy to replicate (Milgram)
• Often involves large numbers which makes it more likely to be representative and generalisations made (Census)
• Can identify differences between key social variables (Durkheim)

Question 18

What are 4 weaknesses of quantitative data and the studies that show these?

Answer 18

• Low in validity - people may lie, act in certain ways or respond is socially acceptable ways (Willmott and Young)
• Difficult to gather info about complex, personal topics (Milgram)
• Fails to consider meanings (Durkheim)
• Difficulties of operationalising key concepts e.g. suicide (Durkheim)