research methods (mocks) Flashcards
positivism - 7
scientific principles observable phenomena - correlation and cause directly measurable reliability quantifiable data social facts Durkheim study of suicide
evaluations of positivism
+ objective and scientific approach - free from bias and own values - use quantitative research
+ government more likely to fund studies as it can be generalised and aren’t bias
+ more reliable as is scientific
- ignore the subjective experience of an individual
- researcher imposition
interpretivism (6)
subjective - meaning and experiences of individuals
verstehen and empathy
research imposition - having an option the research
rapport
qualitative data
high validity results
strength - interpretivism
+ high validity (personal experiences and feelings on topic)
+ good for sensitive topics
+ more meaningful
+ reflexivity - aware of own bias and conflicting it
weakness- interpretivism
- unsystematic - snowball effect
- research influence and narrow focus ( interpretivist believe this is okay )
- unrepresentative (small sample and individual cases) and narrow focus
- reliability not guaranteed ( interpretivist believe this is okay )
- researcher bias
ethnography
researcher inserts themselves into the natural setting of the social group being studied
observe daily activities
research design - informal or unstructured interviews also used + empathesis with people
evaluations of ethnography
strengths \+interpretivists support this method (reliable results) \+ detailed qualitative data provided \+ high in validity \+ learn about cultures
weakness - researcher bias and influence
- time consuming
- need a well trained researcher
- ethical issue with illegal behavior ( research + participant)