Positivists VS Interpretivists

Question 1

Key concepts and ideas - POSITVISM

Answer 1

Scientific - sociology should be treated as a science
Objective, value free - should not have any researcher bias
Emphasis on reliability - replicated and repeated
Popper - falsification - ability to test
Representative sampling methods
Data is quantitative and structured

Question 2

Key concepts and ideas - INTERPRETIVISM

Answer 2

Subjective; value-laden (researchers can put in their concepts)
Verstehen - putting yourself into another persons shoes
Understanding an individual’s world view, validity
Qualitative data - thoughts and feelings
Unstructured

Question 3

Primary Methods - POSITIVISM

Answer 3

Survey e.g. census = quantitative data to generalise
Questionnaires - create quick forms of data
Structured interviews - researcher goes in with pre-coded questions
Lab experiments - variables controlled

Question 4

Primary Methods - INTERPRETIVISM

Answer 4

Covert and overt participant observation - observers own integration
Unstructured interviews - no set questions
Field experiments - test carried out in natural environment

Question 5

Secondary Methods - POSITIVISM

Answer 5

Official statistics
Public documents
Historical data
Content analysis - formal = data generated

Question 6

Secondary Methods - Interpretivism

Answer 6

Personal documents e.g. diaries
Public documents e.g. gov reports

Question 7

Theoretical Perspective - POSITIVISM

Answer 7

Macro: society influences individual action

Question 8

Theoretical Perspective - INTERPRETIVISM

Answer 8

Micro: individual action influences society

Question 9

Practical

Answer 9

time, funding, response rate, achieving a geographical spread, skill of the researcher, accessing unique groups, recording information

Question 10

Ethical

Answer 10

consent, anonymity, physical and psychological harm, confidentiality, harm

Question 11

Theoretical

Answer 11

positivism vs interpretivism, qualitative and quantitative data, validity, reliability, representative sample, interviewer bias, verstehen, objectivity, hawthorne effect

Question 12

Field experiments PET

Answer 12

P - variables cannot be easily controlled, unique groups can be studied in their natural environment

E - deception and a lack of informed consent can lead to psychological and physical harm

T - high in validity since they’re set in the natural environment, participants are usually unaware that they’re being studied, interpretivists tend to use them as they generate qualitative data