2.2 Approaches to Sociological Research -Theorists

Question 1

Denzin

methodological triangulation

Answer 1

triangulation allows the researcher to offset the weaknesses of one method with the strengths of another:
* a general weakness of questionnaires is that the researcher must assume that the respondent is telling the truth
* a researcher could offset this by using an observational method, such as participant observation, to check that respondents actually do what they say they do.

Question 2

Merton

scientific ethos

Answer 2

argued that a scientific ethos is required. there must be rules governing the general conditions that research must satisfy in order to both maintain and attain scientific status.

for merton the ‘sceptical attitude’ represented the main way in which scientific knowledge differed from other

Question 3

Popper

positivist

Answer 3

For Popper, sociology can be scientific if it makes precise predictions through the use of the hypothetic-deductive model.

In the hypothetic-deductive model, researchers start with a specific, testable, hypothesis, then they collect data, analyse it, and either confirm the hypothesis based on their evidence, or reject it and start the process over again. If a hypothesis is proven, then a theory may be derived which will form the basis of future research.

The principle of falsification means researchers deliberately look for evidence that could disprove their hypothesis.