Choosing a Research Method (PET) - Theoretical Issues

Question 1

Benefit of interpretivism

Answer 1

Gives researcher deeper insight into human behaviour

Question 2

What data does interpretivism come under?

Answer 2

Qualitative data

Question 3

Micro study

Answer 3

In depth, small-scale research into individuals

Question 4

What type of data is micro?

Answer 4

Qualitative data

Question 5

How does qualitative data have high validity?

Answer 5

Because it produces a true picture of what something is like

Question 6

How do positivists study society?

Answer 6

By using similar techniques to natural scientist

Question 7

What type of data does positivism come under?

Answer 7

Quantitative data

Question 8

What does a macro approach focus on?

Answer 8

Large numbers of people and structures of society as a whole

Question 9

What type of data does the macro approach come under?

Answer 9

Quantitative data

Question 10

What is a reliable method?

Answer 10

A method which can be repeated by another researcher to give the same results

Question 11

What type of data is seen as reliable?

Answer 11

Quantitative data

Question 12

What has to be asked to ensure that results are representative?

Answer 12

Does the group of people being studied represent wider society?

Question 13

What do many sociologists argue qualitative methods give us?

Answer 13

A more truthful account of what it is like to be a member of a groupn

Question 14

Example of a qualitative research method

Answer 14

Participant observation

Question 15

Why must a researcher make sure that the participants in their study are representative of wider society?

Answer 15

To make sure that they can make generalisations

Question 16

What type of data do interpretivists prefer?

Answer 16

Qualitative data

Question 17

What type of data do positivists prefer? Why?

Answer 17

Quantitative data because they see sociology as a science

Question 18

What do interpretivists seek to understand?

Answer 18

Social factors

Question 19

Why is the theoretical perspective usually the most important factor of choosing a research method?

Answer 19

Because either qualitative or quantitative data can always be used in research

Question 20

What do social institutions create according to positivists?

Answer 20

They create expectations of how individuals should behave and limit their choices and options

Question 21

Example of a positivist

Answer 21

Durkheim

Question 22

What does Durkheim believe to be the aim of sociology?

Answer 22

To study social facts

Question 23

Social facts

Answer 23

External social forces making up society’s social structure that cause people’s ideas and actions

Question 24

What can’t be studied by positivists?

Answer 24

The feelings, emotions and motives of an individual

Question 25

What do positivists argue that sociology will be without quantification (numerical evidence)?

Answer 25

It will be a subject lacking evidence

Question 26

What will a lack of numerical evidence result in?

Answer 26

An impossibility to replicate studies, establishes causes for social events and make generalisations

Question 27

What do interprestivists believe people’s behaviour is influenced by?

Answer 27

The interpretations and meanings they give to social situations

Question 28

What do interprestivists believe is more important than gaining statistical information?

Answer 28

The need to discuss and get personally involved with people in order to get at home the see and understand the world

Question 29

Example of an interprestivist

Answer 29

Atkinson

Question 30

Why do interprestivists questions that value of research methods used by positivists?

Answer 30

Because they impose the sociologist’s own view of what is important, rather than what may be important to the individuals being studied