Theoretical Issues of Research Flashcards
What are Theoretical Issues?
The issues over if the researcher will take a Positivist, Interpretivist, or Realist Approach in their research
Which type of Sociologists are more likely to collect Quantitative Data? Why?
Positivists, as they are able to measure patterns and trends and are likely good with statistics
What type of Sociological Approach is Positivism under? (Similar to the approach of Functionalism in how they view things)
Structuralism
Which type of Sociologists are more likely to collect Qualitative Data? Why?
Interpretivists, because they are interested in the meanings and motives behind the actions of people
Are Interpretivists more likely to do large-scale or small-scale research and will it be quick to do it?
More likely to do time-consuming small scale research
What type of Sociological approach is Interpretivism under in terms of how they view things in society?
Social action
Name a Marxist study which collected Qualitative Data
Willis’ Study of “The Lads”
What do Positivists argue?
We should treat people as objects whose behaviour can be measured in a simple way
Do Positivists take a ‘top-down’ approach or a ‘bottom-up’ approach?
Top-down approach
What is a top-down approach? Why do they argue this?
Seeing Human Behaviour as a product of how society is organised because society has made certain laws to control behaviour
Are Positivists research methods reliable? What does this mean?
They are reliable, which means they are easy to replicate
Are Positivist Research Methods Standardised? What does this mean?
They are Standardised, It means they follow the same procedures every time
How are Positivists able to present their data?
In graphs or tables
Is Positivist Data Macro or Micro research? What does this mean?
Macro Research - It is done on a large scale
Do Interpretivists take a ‘top-down’ or a ‘bottom-up’ approach?
Bottom-up approach
What is a bottom-up approach? Why do they argue this?
Says that humans create their own choices which on a large scale will shape society. They argue this means it is more important to research human behaviour on a smaller scale
Which method of collecting data is usually more Valid? Do Positivists or Interpretivists have the more valid data?
Qualitative Methods. Interpretivists are more likely to have valid data
What is Valid Data?
Data that provides an in-depth and accurate picture of something
What is the aim of Interpretivist research?
To understand how and why people view the world the way they do
What is it called when Sociologists gain a deep empathetic understanding of their participants’ condition through their research?
Verstehen
Do Interpretivists produce Macro or Micro research? What does this mean?
Micro Research. This means it is done on a small scale
Name the 3 Theoretical Approaches which Sociologists can take in a piece of research
Positivism, Interpretivism, Realism
What Research methods will you use if you are a Realist?
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
Why will Realists use a combination of Quantitative and Qualitative methods?
To get a more comprehensive picture of their research
What must Realists consider when picking their Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods?
Which parts of these two methods will be most appropriate for their study
Define Methodological Pluralism
When theoretical approaches are combined
Give an example of ‘mixed methods’ a Realist may use in their Research.
They could use Unstructured Interviews along with Questionnaires
What do Realist Researchers use once they have collected their data using mixed methods?
Triangulation
What does Triangulation involve?
Comparing and Interpreting the results that Realists have obtained
