Reeearch

Question 1

Positivist prefer

Interpretivists prefer

Answer 1

Positivist prefer quantitative data, seek to discover patterns of behaviour and see sociology as a science

Interpretivists prefer qualities data, seek to understand social actors‘ meanings and reject the view that sociology can model itself on the natural sciences

Question 2

Positivist assume that society ..

Interpretivists reject the idea of …

Answer 2

Positivist assume that society has an objective factual reality it exists out there

Interpretivists reject the idea of an objective social reality - we construct reality through the meanings we create in our interactions with others

Question 3

Positivist: society…

Inter: our actions are based on …

Answer 3

Positivist: society exerts an influence over its members, systemically shaping their behaviour patterns

Inter: our actions are based on the meanings we give to situations they’re not the product of external forces

Question 4

Positivist research uses ___ data to uncover and measure these … and inter use ___ data to uncover and describe…

Answer 4

Positivist research uses quantitative data to uncover and measure these patterns of behaviour and inter use qual data to uncover and describe the social actors’ ‘universe of meaning’

Question 5

By analysing ___ data p seek to discover the …

By analysing ___ data I seek to gain a ___ and ___

Answer 5

By analysing quantitative data p seek to discover the objective scientific laws of cause and effect that determine behaviour

By analysing qual data I seek to gain a subjective understanding of actors’ meanings and ‘life worlds’

Question 6

P’s prefer .. . These produce data that is …

I’s prefer … These produce data that is …

Answer 6

P’s prefer questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and official statistics . These produce data that is both reliable and representative

I’s prefer participant observation, unstructured interviews and personal documents . These produce data that is valid

Question 7

Random sampling:

Systematic:

Stratified random:

Quota:

Snowball:

Opportunity sampling:

Answer 7

Random sampling:
Sample is selected purely by chance

Systematic: where every nth person in the sampling frame is selected

Stratified random: the researcher first stratifies (breaks down) the pop. In the sampling frame by age, class, gender etc.

Quota sampling: pop. Is stratified them each interviewer is give a quota e.g. 20 females and 20 males

Snowball sampling: contacting a number of key individuals who are asked to suggest others who might be interviews not representative

Opportunity sampling: choosing from individuals who are easiest to access

Question 8

P issues

E issiues

T issues:

Answer 8

P issues
Time and funding

E issiues
Deceiving subjects

T issues: validity reliability and representativeness

Question 9

Choice of topic is affected by …

Answer 9

Choice of topic is affected by society’s values and funding bodies