Theoretical factors that affect research methods Flashcards
1
Q
Validity
A
a method that produces a genuine picture of the subject being studied
2
Q
Reliability
A
methods that can be replicated or repeated
3
Q
Representativeness
A
producing data the researcher can generalise from
4
Q
Positivists
A
- believe society has influence over its members and therefore shapes behaviour patterns e.g families
- society is understandable in terms of ‘social facts’=studied and explained=MEASURED=QUANTITATIVE DATA
- cause and effect relationships
- e.g. social class births will affect social life chances
5
Q
Positivist prefer which methods?
A
questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and social statistics=produce quantitative data that is reliable and representative
6
Q
disadvantage of positivists choice of methods
A
often time consuming and expensive (practical factors)
7
Q
Interpretivists
A
- believe we construct social meanings through interaction with others (NOT SOCIETY)
- actions are based on meanings we give to situations-not the product of external factors
- e.g up to us how much info we take in during lessons
- QUALITATIVE DATA
8
Q
Interpretivists prefer which methods?
A
participant observation, unstructured interviews, personal documents=produces qualitative data that is VALID
9
Q
disadvantages of Interpretivists choice of methods
A
become emotionally involved=biased
