RESEARCH METHODS- POSITIVISM VS INTERPRETIVISM Flashcards
What are the main differences between Positivism and Interpretivism in Sociology?
Positivism treats sociology as a science that studies objective social facts using quantitative methods, while Interpretivism views sociology as a discipline that understands subjective human meanings using qualitative methods.
How does Positivism view society?
Positivism argues that society is real and exists independently of individuals. It is governed by social facts, like poverty and education, which determine human behaviour.
How do Positivists research social behaviour?
Positivists use methods similar to natural sciences, collecting and analyzing data systematically to identify cause-and-effect relationships and develop general laws of human behaviour.
What are the scientific principles underlying Positivist research?
The key principles include:
Facts: Backed by evidence (e.g., statistics).
Objectivity: Unbiased analysis.
Reliability: Methods are repeatable and yield consistent results.
Quantitative data: Enables discovery of causal relationships between variables.
Give an example of Positivist research in Sociology.
Durkheim’s study on suicide analyzed statistical data to identify a causal relationship between social isolation and suicide rates, applying scientific methods to sociology.
What methods are preferred by Positivists, and why?
Positivists use structured interviews, questionnaires, experiments, and statistical analysis because these methods produce objective, reliable, and quantifiable data.
How does Interpretivism view society?
Interpretivists see society as a construct created through human interactions, emphasizing that it exists only because individuals give it meaning through their actions and interpretations.
What is verstehen, and why is it significant in Interpretivism?
Verstehen, meaning “empathetic understanding,” is essential for Interpretivists to understand the meanings people attach to their actions by viewing the world from their perspective.
How do Interpretivists explain human behavior?
They argue behavior is shaped by the meanings individuals attach to their circumstances, rather than being determined by external social facts.
Provide an example of how Interpretivists critique Positivist research.
Interpretivists argue that Durkheim’s statistical approach to suicide neglects the personal, subjective reasons for the act, advocating qualitative methods to understand individual experiences and meanings.
What are the preferred methods of Interpretivists?
Interpretivists rely on qualitative methods like participant observation, unstructured interviews, and analysis of personal documents to gather valid, in-depth data about human behavior.
What is Douglas’s argument about suicide and its statistics?
Douglas claims suicide statistics are social constructs, influenced by family, friends, and coroners. He advocates for case studies and interviews to uncover the true reasons behind suicides.
Why do Interpretivists consider Sociology unsuitable as a science?
They argue humans possess free will and consciousness, making their behavior unpredictable and shaped by subjective meanings, unlike natural phenomena studied in sciences.
How do Positivists and Interpretivists differ in their view of human behavior?
Positivists believe behavior is deterministic and shaped by external social facts, while Interpretivists argue it is voluntaristic, influenced by personal interpretations and free will.
Summarize the main strengths of Positivism.
Positivism provides systematic, replicable, and objective research methods that identify causal relationships and produce general laws of human behavior.
