research methods Flashcards
Practical factors
___ can be a barrier to studying a topic.
For example studying global corporations may prove difficult to gain a sample and an insight.
Practical factors
Accessibility can be a barrier to studying a topic.
For example studying global corporations may prove difficult to gain a sample and an insight.
Theoretical issues
-
-
Theoretical issues
Whether a functionalist, Marxist or feminist approach is adopted, and how this impacts the choice of topic.
Whether a positivist or interpretivist approach is adopted and how this influences choice of research method.
… championed by positivists
Argue sociology should be …
Meaning personal views and bias should not enter research
Instead sociology should …
Value free sociology:
1
Championed by positivists
2
Argue sociology should be totally value free
3
Meaning personal views and bias should not enter research
4
Instead sociology should study observable facts just like the natural sciences
Describe the relationship between theory and methods used in research in the field of sociology.
1
General considerations
2
Theoretical considerations
3
Positivists
4
Interpretivists
5
Interpretivists methods
Describe the relationship between theory and methods used in research in the field of sociology.
1
General considerations
When conducting research sociologists need to consider practical limitations, ethical issues and theoretical restrictions. Arguably, the theoretical element is the most significant to consider.
2
Theoretical considerations
Theoretical considerations in sociological research are paramount. As a sociologist, your theoretical perspective is central to the way you view the world and will, therefore, determine the way you choose to research society.
3
Positivists
Positivists argue that sociology is a scientific discipline and therefore they use the most scientific research methods to conduct their studies, such as laboratory experiments and official statistics. These methods are high in reliability and objectivity.
4
Interpretivists
Interpretivists choose to study individuals in society. They argue that sociology should not be associated with science and they choose to use non-scientific methodologies.
5
Interpretivists methods
Interpretivists methods include unstructured interviews and participant observations. Feminists use such methods as they argue that science is male dominated and oppresses women, instead they argue we should look to understand individual women and their personal struggles in a patriarchal society.
Value committed
Value laden
Value
committed
Using our values to improve the society we live in.
Value
laden
The researcher is weighed down by their values and cannot escape them.
The research process:
Interpretation of
findings
It is inevitable that they will be adapted to ,,
Data collection and hypothesis testing
Weber agreed with positivists that …
Choice of topic area
A researcher chooses an area that they are interested in and therefore using their ____
The research process:
Interpretation of
findings
It is inevitable that they will be adapted to fit a particular value based theoretical perspective and is therefore, once again subjective.
Data collection and
hypothesis
testing
Weber agreed with positivists that this stage should remain as objective as possible.
Choice of
topic
area
A researcher chooses an area that they are interested in and therefore using their values.
Practical issues include:
-
Practical issues include:
Time and funding available.
How easily the researcher can access the place of the group to be studied.
Whether the researcher has the personal skills and characteristics needed.
Factors that affect the choice of topic:
Factors that affect the choice of topic:
Practical factors
Accessibility can be a barrier to studying a topic.
Funding bodies/availability
There are funding bodies who can provide economic support such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), however they may state what they want to be studied.
Funding bodies
To undertake research sociologists often need funding to cover the costs of their study.
There are .. who can provide economic support such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
As the funding body is paying for the research …
Funding bodies
To undertake research sociologists often need funding to cover the costs of their study.
There are funding bodies who can provide economic support such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
As the funding body is paying for the research they may state what they want to be studied.
The sociologist’s perspective
The ... the sociologist has will affect what they want to study. E.g. Marxists would be interested in class inequalities in society.
The sociologist’s perspective
The theoretical viewpoint the sociologist has will affect what they want to study. E.g. Marxists would be interested in class inequalities in society.
Value relevance
Weber didn’t believe that sociology could be completely value free, instead, he discusses the approach of value relevance.
He argued sociologists will use their subjective feelings to identify a research topic and the concepts they feel are relevant.
However, sociologists must be objective in how they carry out their research.
Value relevance
Weber didn’t believe that sociology could be completely value free, instead, he discusses the approach of value relevance.
He argued sociologists will use their subjective feelings to identify a research topic and the concepts they feel are relevant.
However, sociologists must be objective in how they carry out their research.
Ethical issues cont.
-
-
Ethical issues cont.
Ensure that they gain freely given informed consent of those taking part.
Respect the privacy, interests and anonymity of those taking part (confidentiality issues).
The three main considerations when planning sociological research:
The three main considerations when planning sociological research:
1 Practical issues 2 Ethical issues 3 Theoretical issues
Positivists, such as Durkheim, believed that …
Positivists, such as Durkheim, believed that sociology was the science of society and therefore needed to follow scientific principles in order to gain credibility.
Society’s values
When values in society change so …
For example the increase of feminism in 1960’s led to further research on gender equality.
Society’s values
When values in society change so does the focus of the research sociologists undertake.
For example the increase of feminism in 1960’s led to further research on gender equality.
