*Positivists And Interpretivists

Question 1

What is Foucault’s surveillance theory?

Answer 1

Official statistics are for control; understanding the people allows for control over them.

Question 2

What do positivists believe about science?

Answer 2

Science can explain the universe.

Question 3

What is the hypothetico-deductive method?

Answer 3

An approach to research that begins with a theory and derives testable hypotheses from it.

Question 4

How do positivists view scientifically backed theories?

Answer 4

They consider them far more valid than those not backed by quality evidence.

Question 5

What type of methods do positivists prefer?

Answer 5

Quantitative methods such as social surveys, structured questionnaires, and official statistics.

Question 6

Who is considered the founder of positivism?

Answer 6

Auguste Comte.

Question 7

What is the primary means of researching society according to Durkheim?

Answer 7

The comparative method.

Question 8

What social phenomenon did Durkheim choose to study to demonstrate social factors’ influence?

Answer 8

Suicide.

Question 9

What did Durkheim find regarding suicide rates across different groups?

Answer 9

Rates varied between countries, social groups, and religious affiliations.

Question 10

What is the definition of social facts?

Answer 10

Definable social characteristics that exist externally from individual social actors.

Question 11

Why is reliability important in data collection?

Answer 11

Unreliable data leads to useless conclusions.

Question 12

What are the three key concerns regarding data reliability?

Answer 12

• Consistency of data collected
• Precision of data collection
• Repeatability of the data collection method

Question 13

What is validity in the context of data collection?

Answer 13

The extent to which the data measures what it claims to measure.

Question 14

What is the difference between validity and reliability?

Answer 14

Reliable data may not be valid, and valid data may not be reliable.

Question 15

What is the interpretivist view on positivism?

Answer 15

They are skeptical of positivists’ scientific claims.

Question 16

What is the focus of interpretivism in sociology?

Answer 16

Understanding social constructs and context.

Question 17

What do interpretivists use to study human interactions?

Answer 17

Qualitative research techniques such as ethnographic methods.

Question 18

What is ‘verstehen’ in social action theory?

Answer 18

Empathetic understanding required to comprehend human action.

Question 19

What is a risk associated with qualitative research methods?

Answer 19

The subjective views of the researcher could interfere with results.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Positivists see society as shaping the _______.

Answer 20

[individual].

Question 21

True or False: Durkheim believed that suicide is entirely an individual matter.

Answer 21

False.

Question 22

What type of sociology is more interested in trends and patterns rather than individuals?

Answer 22

Positivist sociology.

Question 23

What challenge arises from the use of quantitative methods in sociology according to interpretivists?

Answer 23

They often remove context or interfere with the subject matter.

Question 24

What is the role of official statistics in sociological research?

Answer 24

They are used to find trends and correlations.

Question 25

What did Durkheim conclude about suicide rates over time?

Answer 25

Rates remained stable relative to each other despite fluctuations.

Question 26

What is the goal of positivist research?

Answer 26

To uncover general laws that shape human behavior.