Research Methods - Turner Flashcards
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Positivist Beliefs on Social Forces
- Positivist Sociology
• Beliefs of Positivists
• Positivists believe that external social forces, known as social facts, shape people’s ideas and actions similar to causes in the natural world.
• Social institutions establish expectations for individual behavior and restrict choices through social control.
• Emotions and motives of individuals are not measurable and should not be the focus of study according to positivists.
• Durkheim’s Contribution
• Durkheim, a positivist, emphasized the study of social facts, which are observable and quantifiable elements of society.
• He conducted a classic study on suicide in 1897, using statistical data to identify social causes of suicide.
• Examples of Positivist Approaches
• Positivist studies may investigate disparities in exam results, health, or crime rates among different social classes using statistical data.
• Research on family dynamics may involve collecting data on household responsibilities and time spent on chores through quantitative methods.
• Quantitative Research Methods
• Positivists advocate for the use of quantitative methods to test hypotheses and gather evidence.
• Quantitative methods involve large-scale research on a macro level, focusing on statistical data.
• Common quantitative research methods include experiments, the comparative method, social surveys, and structured questionnaires.
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Interpretivist Research Methods Overview
- Interpretivism in Sociology
• Verstehen Approach
• Interpretivists believe that understanding people’s behavior requires grasping the interpretations and meanings they assign to social situations.
• Verstehen, pronounced as ‘fair-shtay-en’, emphasizes gaining insight into how individuals and groups perceive and comprehend the world.
• Research methods in sociology should focus on obtaining perspectives from individuals and groups rather than collecting statistical data.
• Examples of Interpretivist Studies
• Studies may explore how different social classes perceive and handle issues like ill-health, education, or criminal labeling.
• Atkinson’s (1978) study on suicide exemplifies an interpretivist approach, challenging Durkheim’s view by suggesting that suicide statistics are social constructs influenced by various parties’ definitions of suicide.
• Interpretivist research on family dynamics may involve in-depth interviews to understand perceptions of household responsibilities and childcare distribution. - Qualitative Research Methods
• Types of Qualitative Data
• Qualitative data includes words, documents, and images that offer detailed descriptions and insights into the attitudes, values, and feelings of individuals and groups.
• It focuses on uncovering the meanings and interpretations individuals and groups attribute to events.
• Qualitative Research Techniques
• Participant and non-participant observation are common methods used by interpretivists.
• Informal, open-ended interviews are preferred to structured questionnaires.
• Open-ended questionnaires and personal accounts, like diaries and letters, are utilized to gather qualitative data.
• Micro Approach in Research
• Interpretivists often adopt a micro approach, conducting in-depth, small-scale research on limited participants.
• This approach allows for detailed exploration of the perspectives and experiences of a small number of individuals. - Critique of Positivist Methods
• Imposition of Research Framework
• Interpretivists question the use of structured questionnaires and interviews by positivists.
• They argue that such methods impose the researcher’s perspective on what is important, rather than focusing on the viewpoints of the subjects under study.
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3
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Verstehen, Qualitative Data, Micro Approach
- Verstehen and Qualitative Data
• Verstehen: Understanding Human Behavior
• Verstehen involves empathizing with those being studied to understand their behavior.
• It requires seeing things from the perspective of the individuals under study.
• Qualitative Data: Feelings and Meanings
• Qualitative data focus on the emotions and interpretations individuals associate with events.
• It aims to capture the true way individuals perceive things. - Micro Approach in Sociology
• Micro Approach Definition
• The micro approach in sociology concentrates on studying small groups or individuals.
• It diverges from analyzing large populations and societal structures.
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4
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Types of Data Collection
- Types of Data in Sociology
• Primary Data
• Collected by sociologists themselves through methods like social surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or observation.
• Examples include data obtained directly from participants in a study.
• Secondary Data
• Already exist and are collected from secondary sources.
• Examples include data from books, articles, or databases. - Forms of Data in Sociology
• Quantitative Data
• Statistical data that can be measured and expressed numerically.
• Examples include survey results showing percentages or averages.
• Qualitative Data
• Non-statistical data that provides insights and understanding of social phenomena.
• Examples include interview transcripts or observational notes. - Types of Documents in Sociology
• Personal Documents
• Private documents for personal use, recording part of a person’s life.
• Examples include private diaries, personal letters, and personal medical files.
• Public Documents
• Produced for public knowledge, including reports and statistics from various sources.
• Examples include Ofsted reports on educational institutions and annual reports from government departments.
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