introduction to sociological research methods Flashcards
(17 cards)
what are some characteristics of positivists?
-they are object and rely on reliability rather than validity
- research consists of quantitive data
-establish laws of the natural world [social laws]
what are some characteristics of interpretivists?
-they society as a constructive reality through meanings and interactions
-research consists of qualitive data
-value validity over reliability
-a focus on verstehen
what does verstehen mean?
the meaning of understanding
what does reliable mean?
a method which can be repeated
what does validity mean?
a method which is true to the reality of the situation
what are the primary data collection methods?
-questionnaires
-observations
-interviews
-experiments
-content analysis
what are the secondary data collection methods?
-official stats
-documents
what factors influence choice of topic for a researcher?
-the sociologists perspective
-funding bodies [such as charities]
-society’s values
-practical factors [some topics such as crime are restricted due to confidentiality]
what is P E T?
-PRACTICAL
-ETHICAL
-THEORETICAL
what is GDPR?
it is a law which protects individuals data by governing confidentiality
what is a hypothesis?
a possible explanation that can be tested by collecting evidence to prove if its right or wrong?
why do positivist favor hypothesis?
it is a starting point for research
what is a research aim?
collecting data on a particular topic which the sociologist intends on researching
why do interpretivists favor research aim?
they favor it because the aim allows for them to find out understanding of actions meanings.
what is a operationalsing concept?
it is the overarching topic which is being researched
what is a piolet study?
a study which is a draft of the method the researcher intends on using- this is performed on a small sample
what is triangulation?
the combining of either multiple research methods or data for research
