Research Methods And Researching Social Inequalities Flashcards
What does Positivism focus on?
Social Facts, Quantitative Data and Cause and Effect Relationships
What dos Interpretivism focus on?
Interpreting the meanings which are seen to direct human action.
Favours Qualitative Data
What do positivists argue about human behaviour?
Human behaviour is predictable
How do positivists regard individuals as?
‘Puppets of society’
What theories tend to be positivist?
Functionalism
Marxism
Feminism
What sociologist did the Study Of Suicide?
Durkheim
What were the three trends Durkheim observed in his study of suicide?
Suicide remains constant and predictable over time
Suicide remains constant between societies
Suicide remains constant between social groups - within same society
What things did Durkheim say suicide was due to?
Social integration and Moral Regulation
The nature of society
Who criticised Durkheim’s positivist study?
Atkinson
Why did Atkinson criticise Durkheim’s study?
He failed to mention suicides are socially constructed
Argued suicide is a result of interaction between victim, family and friends.
What did Atkinson argue about Coroners and Suicide?
Relatives can influence the Coroners final decision and the suicide
What do Interpretivists argue?
Believe that society is socially constructed
What do interpretivists argue people in society are?
‘Active creators of their own destinies’
What Verstehen mean?
When the researcher aims to understand another person’s experience - put himself in their shoes
What is Rapport?
When the researcher builds a relationship with the participant - understands feelings/ideas
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative
Qualitative - data not in numerical form. Data observed and recorded
Quantitative - data in numeral form. Data collected for statistical analysis
What are some Quantitative research methods?
Surveys
Questionnaires
Experiments
Longitudinal Studies
What are some Qualitative research methods?
Observations
Interviews
Focus Groups
What are the factors affecting a sociologists choice of research method?
Practical Issues
Ethical Issues
Theoretical Issues
What are 4 Practical issues affecting choice of research methods?
Funding
Time
Subject Matter
Social Characteristics of the Researcher and those being Researched
What are the two types of sampling techniques?
Random and Non-Random Sampling
What are the 2 forms of Random Sampling?
Stratified random sampling
Systematic random sampling
What are the 5 forms of Non-Random Sampling?
Quota Sampling Volunteer Sampling Snowball Sampling Purposive Sampling Opportunity Sampling
What 5 methods are used in sociological research?
Social Surveys Secondary Data Ethnography Observation Mixed Methods
