Positivism - Methodology Flashcards
Why was sociology created?
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
What did Popper create?
The hypothetico-deductive method (see science flash cards)
What is open mindedness?
On part of the researcher, and a willingness to consider all possibilities and evidence - demonstrate ‘fair play’
What is value freedom?
Keeping personal prejudices and opinions out of the research process
What is scrutiny?
Findings should be open to inspection and criticism
What is quantifiable data?
To determine the quantity of data - data that can be counted or measured
What is Positivism?
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
Who was one of the first Positivists?
Comte - showed behaviour in the natural world is governed by laws in the same way as behaviour in the natural world
What are social facts?
Durkheim: social phenomena that exist outside individuals but act upon them to constrain individuals
How are social facts measured?
In most cases they can be observed and measured quantitatively
How do Positivists explain human behaviour?
Suggest it is a response to observable social facts, and can be explained in terms of cause and effect relationships
What methods do Positivists argue should be used to study society?
Quantitative and statistical methods. Feelings and motives of individuals cannot be measured/observed
What do Positivists suggest research should be focused on?
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
Why did Durkheim study suicide?
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
How did Durkheim study suicide?
Using quantitative data from Official Statistics
What did Durkheim find in his suicide study?
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
What are 4 advantages of quantitative data and the studies that show these?
- 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)
What are 4 weaknesses of quantitative data and the studies that show these?
- 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)
