research methods Flashcards
what is positivism?
-sociology is a science
-approach in sociology that believes society can be studied using similar scientific techniques to those used in the natural sciences
what is interpretivism?
-sociology isn’t a science
-an approach emphasising that people have consciousness involving personal beliefs, values and interpretations, and these influence the way we act
what is the argument that it’s possible and desirable for sociology to be a science?
-social facts- phenomena which exist outside individuals and independently of their minds, but which act upon them in ways which constrain their behaviour
-associated with Durkheim
-argues that objectivity is possible if carefully planned research takes place
-positivists assume ppls behaviour is shaped by social forces and is therefore observable and measurable
-argues sociology should use quantitative methods & data
what is the argument that it isn’t possible for sociology to be a science?
-verstehen- german word meaning ‘to understand in a deep way’ researcher aims to understand another persons experience, put them selves in someone else’s shoe
-humans aren’t passive and have free will, so can’t be studied in the same way objects are
-people make decisions based on the way they interpret the world around them and meanings they attach to things
-weber explores this approach in his study on calvinism and spirit of capitalism
what does popper say as a positivist?
-to falsify=to attempt to prove an idea or hypothesis wrong
-popper argues it is possible for sociology to be a science, provided that the deductive method is used
-once a scientist tests a hypothesis, it should be continued to be tested
-if the results are clear and confirmed, then a new law or social fact can be created
-popper claimed that rather than try and prove a social fact, research should attempt to falsify a fact to ensure it’s reliably
-popper also pointed out the laws or facts may not remain so over time
what does Kuhn say?
-paradigm=framework of concepts and theories within a particular subject, a world view which shaped the way sociologists do their research
-argues normal science exists within a particular framework or view of the world
-the paradigm a scientist works within will shape the way they approach their research, the questions they might ask as well as informing assumptions about world around them
-argues sociology is ‘pre-paradigmatic’ as there are too many competing ideas
what are the changing views of science?
-realistic views of science have emerged, which acknowledge that although natural sciences are useful and their principles important, social sciences are also possible & desirable
-Bhaskar- science uncovers underlying structures and mechanisms that are the same for society. for example, functionalists argue there are underlying structural forces that shape peoples behaviour
what are sociological research methods?
-purpose of sociology=answer questions about social life and social world
-sociologists develop theories, which is general explanation of how/why social life follows the patterns it does
-ensure theories are based on sound evidence
-variety of different methods they use to get info about society
what is the hypothetico deductive method-positivists?
1.choose a issue, topic or problem to investigate
2.gather background research
3.develop hypothesis
4.decide on methodology and sampling frame
5.condict a pilot study
6.conduct research and collect data
7.analyse data
8.draw conclusions
9.evaluate study
what are factors to consider when choosing a topic?
-personal interests
-political beliefs
-opportunity and access
-funding
-society and in vogue topics
-ethics
what is the ‘personal interests’ factor when choosing a topic?
-a sociologist is going to be more motivated to study something they’re interested in- and nothing motivated quite like personal experience
what is the ‘political beliefs’ factor when choosing a topic?
-whether one is a feminist, marxist, or functionalist, new right thinker, or post modernist can influence what one studies.
-e.g. feminists focus on issues of gender inequality
what is the ‘opportunity and access’ factor when choosing a topic?
-whether or not there’s an opportunity or the access to be able to research a topic
-e.g. Mac and Ghail wanted to study the experiences of irish students but he didn’t have access to them so instead he focussed on the black and asian students in his own college
what is the ‘funding’ factor when choosing a topic?
-sociologists are professionals and need to get funding for their research, so funding bodies can influence topics of research. there are numerous organisations that fund sociological research including charities, businesses and the government
what is the ‘society and in vogue topics’ factor when choosing a topic?
-societies change, and so new topics will emerge with sociological changes.
-for example, sociologists have studied things such as rave culture, and virtual gaming communities as they’ve emerged
what is the ‘ethics’ factor when choosing a topic?
-ethical considerations include consent, confidentiality, privacy, chances of harm and the legality of the research
-sensitive topics would also be harder to research and possibly need more funding
what are some factors affecting research method choice?
-practical factors: like funding, access, time
-ethical factors: harmful consequences, consent, research is reported honestly
-theoretical factors: whether marxist, feminist, or functionalist approach is preferred, or positivist or interpretivist
what is representativeness?
-samples need to be fiar in order to work
-samples should represent whole target population
-if sample includes too many females it will be difficult to generalise findings
-generalisations=general statements and conclusions that apply to whole population
what kinds of samples are there?
-getting access to a sample may require permission and some groups are hard to read
-a sample frame is the list where your sample is selected from
-examples are: random sampling, systematic sampling, quota sampling, stratified sampling, snowballing, opportunity sampling
what is random sampling & what is the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•selected by chance using names out of a hat or computer generated lists
+no investigator bias, reasonable chance of achieving representative sample
-by chance, might not get representative sample, minority groups distort results
what is systematic sampling & what are the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•type of probability sampling where sample members from a larger population are selected according to random starting point
+no bias
-time consuming, not always representative, bias may be present
what is quanta sampling & what are the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•researcher makes sure they ask a certain number of different sorts of people
+quick and easy to obtain sample
-can be bias as not random
what is stratified sampling & what are the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•representative + ratio- proportionate sample
+representative of target population, avoids problem of misrepresentation from random sampling
-takes more time & resources to plan, need to understand target population to be able to identify basis of stratification
what is snowball sampling & what are the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•researcher uses one contact to introduce them to 2nd contact & so on. useful for understanding groups like criminals
+referrals make it quick & easy to find subjects, cost effective, convenient, may feel more confident to come forward due to rapport built
-potential sampling bias, chance those referred may refuse to participate in research study
what is opportunity sampling & what are the strengths + weaknesses of it?
•anyone who is willing & available to take part
+easy and inexpensive to carry out
-consequent sample may not be representative as it could be subject to bias
what does ‘getting in’ mean?
researcher may adopt covert or overt role to join a group
what is a covert role?
-concealing their role as a researcher or using a cover story
-share some personal characteristics of the group
-becomes full participant of the group (ethical concern)
-difficult to take notes without raising suspicion
-no consent
what is an overt role?
-declaring their true identity to the group and the fact they’re doing research
-affect validity
-openness from researcher may build trust with group members
-take notes without suspicion
-ethically correct
-hawthorne effect
-issue gaining access to group
what does ‘staying in’ mean?
-observer develops role involving building trust, cooperation
-extensive not taking
-risky how far researcher will go to stay in the group= possible criminal behaviour
