Research Methods - Turner

Question 1

Positivist Beliefs on Social Forces

1. 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.

Question 2

Interpretivist Research Methods Overview

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Question 3

Verstehen, Qualitative Data, Micro Approach

1. 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.
2. 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.

Question 4

Types of Data Collection

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.