choice of method - data collection

Question 1

T,R,A,M,P

what are the practical factors affecting choice of method?

Answer 1

• time
• Researcher characteristics
• Access to subjects
• Money
• personal skills

Question 2

P,I,Q,Q

what are the Theoretical factors affecting choice of method?

Answer 2

• Positivism
• Interpretivism
• Quantative
• Qualitative

Question 3

D,R,I,P,S

what are the ethical factors affecting choice of method?

Answer 3

• deception
• right to withdraw
• informed consent
• protection from harm
• sensitivity

Question 4

What is interpretivism

Answer 4

where society is studied subjectively and through the individual.

Question 5

R,E,V

what data do interpretivists prefer and why

Answer 5

Qualitative - because you can gain empathy and have a rapport which gives valid data.

Question 6

what is positivism

Answer 6

where society is studied objectively

Question 7

S,R,R

what data do positivists prefer and why

Answer 7

Quantative -
because it is scientific, it is reliable and representative.

Question 8

4

What are the advantages to interpretivism?

Answer 8

1. high in validity
2. allows for empathy - verstehen
3. allows for a rapport
4. retains the natural situation

Question 9

5

what are the advantages to positivism?

Answer 9

1. can identify trends
2. can identify correlations
3. can identify cause and effect to create social policy
4. large samples are used - representative
5. quick and cheap

Question 10

5

what are the disadvantages to interpretivism?

Answer 10

1. time consuming
2. requires interviewer skill
3. cant generalise - often small samples
4. difficult to replicate
5. relies on researcher interpretation

Question 11

4

what are the disadvantages of positivism?

Answer 11

1. Difficult to operationalise concepts
2. fail to consider why things may happen
3. low validity
4. difficult to gather info about sensitive topics

Question 12

interpretivism and positivism/ or more

what does pawson think about 2 sociologies?

Answer 12

• 2 sociologies are a methodological myth
• there is too much variety of views, issues and methodologies to only have 2
• resarchers often use methodological pluralism

Question 13

D&D

give an example study using methodilogical pluralism?

Answer 13

dobash and dobash on domestic violence: used semi structured interviews to gain qual and quan data.

Question 14

what is the main argument in feminist methodology?

Answer 14

• sociology is too male stream and ignores the perspective of women.

Question 15

what do feminists crticise about the 2 methodologies?

Answer 15

• they are too masculine
• the interviewees are objects of the study and play a passive role
• there isnt a balance of power

Question 16

4, O

what is the feminists alternative methodology, who argues this?

Answer 16

• Oakley argues that the interviewees are ‘collaborative friends’
• there should be a balance of power
• they should be empowered
• it isnt a give and take relationship

Question 17

3

strengths of feminist methodology

Answer 17

• it is more detailed - valid
• interviewee gains power
• similar to interpretivism

Question 18

weaknesses of feminist methodology

Answer 18

• less reliable - less objective
• there is interviewer bias
• positivists would criticise