theoretical isssues

Question 1

what is positivism?

Answer 1

-take a scientific approach to research
-They are interested in what might cause something to occur and the social effect this has
-use quantitative data;enables them to look for patterns or trends and make comparrisons

Question 2

What are some features of positivism?

Answer 2

objectivity:free of bias from researchers

cause and effect:where one variable may lead to another

value-free research:not influenced by the values of the researcher

Social facts: a concept originally used by durkheim describes the institutions, values and beliefs of society that can be measured objectively

replicability/reliability:research can be repeated

Question 3

positivism in a nutshell

Answer 3

-scientific
-measurable
-comparative
-controlled environment
-large scale
-replicable

Question 4

What is interpretavism?

Answer 4

-look for meanings and motives attached to peoples actions

-they want to ‘be able to walk into the shoes of those being researched’

Question 5

key words for interpretavism?

Answer 5

-Hawthorne effect: occurs when those being studied change their behaviour as a result of being studied

Meanings & Motives:The interpretations people give to their actions

qualitative data:data in words

Rapport:relationship between the reserarcher and the participants

validity: a true picture of the social reality of those being studied

Question 6

interpretavism in a nutshell

Answer 6

-descriptive and detailed (qualitative)

-case studies

-research people in their natural environment

-small scale but in depth

Question 7

What is realism?

Answer 7

-a halfway approach between positivism and interpretavism

-realists want to know what causes social processes and events

-they both measure observable social facts and look for why these results have been found

Question 8

What do realists aim to do?

Answer 8

-find the cause and the underlying reasons for issues e.g underachievement, poverty

-examine the cause of behaviour beyond the will of the individual

-they want to understand the views of the individuals involved in social processes and events

-suggest that just cause males and females don’t overty engage in measurable conflict doesn’t mean sexism doesn’t exist

-want to be objective as possible but recognise that it is difficult to be value-free

Question 9

how do realists conduct their research?

Answer 9

-examine the social world in all dimensions

-considers the underlying ideologies, and social structures that underpin social events and actions

-use a range of methods and break down the division between quantitative and qualitative data

-taking research in 2-stages

-developing layers or peeling off layers