Research Methods- Issues in Research Flashcards
What are the two theoretical approaches to sociology?
Positivism and interpretivism
What does positivism look at?
The institutions in society (macrosociology)
What does interpretivism look at?
The individual (microsociology)
What kind of methods do positivists use?
Reliable methods that give quantitative data
What do positivists believe?
Behaviour is influenced by external social factors, sociology should be scientific and analyse ‘social facts’
What are social facts?
Things that affect behaviour and can easily be measured
What kind of methods do interpretivists use?
Valid methods that give qualitative data
What do interpretivists believe?
You can only really understand human behaviour using empathy
How do interpretivists criticise positivists?
The scientific methods don’t tell you much about how individuals act in society
How do interpretivists argue that sociology isn’t scientific?
Humans can’t be measured
What are practical issues in research methods?
- Time
- Money
- Characteristics and skills of researcher
- Access and opportunity
What are ethical issues in research methods?
- Consent
- Deception
- Confidentiality
- Protection from psychological and physical harm
What are issues with consent?
- People with learning disabilities may not fully understand what participation may entail, uninformed consent isn’t really consent
- Consent can be difficult to obtain from secretive groups or when research is about a sensitive topic
What does a covert study involve?
Not telling participants that they are being studied
Why are covert studies criticised?
For lack of honesty and absence of informed consent
