Theoretical Issues of Research

Question 1

What are Theoretical Issues?

Answer 1

The issues over if the researcher will take a Positivist, Interpretivist, or Realist Approach in their research

Question 2

Which type of Sociologists are more likely to collect Quantitative Data? Why?

Answer 2

Positivists, as they are able to measure patterns and trends and are likely good with statistics

Question 3

What type of Sociological Approach is Positivism under? (Similar to the approach of Functionalism in how they view things)

Answer 3

Structuralism

Question 4

Which type of Sociologists are more likely to collect Qualitative Data? Why?

Answer 4

Interpretivists, because they are interested in the meanings and motives behind the actions of people

Question 5

Are Interpretivists more likely to do large-scale or small-scale research and will it be quick to do it?

Answer 5

More likely to do time-consuming small scale research

Question 6

What type of Sociological approach is Interpretivism under in terms of how they view things in society?

Answer 6

Social action

Question 7

Name a Marxist study which collected Qualitative Data

Answer 7

Willis’ Study of “The Lads”

Question 8

What do Positivists argue?

Answer 8

We should treat people as objects whose behaviour can be measured in a simple way

Question 9

Do Positivists take a ‘top-down’ approach or a ‘bottom-up’ approach?

Answer 9

Top-down approach

Question 10

What is a top-down approach? Why do they argue this?

Answer 10

Seeing Human Behaviour as a product of how society is organised because society has made certain laws to control behaviour

Question 11

Are Positivists research methods reliable? What does this mean?

Answer 11

They are reliable, which means they are easy to replicate

Question 12

Are Positivist Research Methods Standardised? What does this mean?

Answer 12

They are Standardised, It means they follow the same procedures every time

Question 13

How are Positivists able to present their data?

Answer 13

In graphs or tables

Question 14

Is Positivist Data Macro or Micro research? What does this mean?

Answer 14

Macro Research - It is done on a large scale

Question 15

Do Interpretivists take a ‘top-down’ or a ‘bottom-up’ approach?

Answer 15

Bottom-up approach

Question 16

What is a bottom-up approach? Why do they argue this?

Answer 16

Says that humans create their own choices which on a large scale will shape society. They argue this means it is more important to research human behaviour on a smaller scale

Question 17

Which method of collecting data is usually more Valid? Do Positivists or Interpretivists have the more valid data?

Answer 17

Qualitative Methods. Interpretivists are more likely to have valid data

Question 18

What is Valid Data?

Answer 18

Data that provides an in-depth and accurate picture of something

Question 19

What is the aim of Interpretivist research?

Answer 19

To understand how and why people view the world the way they do

Question 20

What is it called when Sociologists gain a deep empathetic understanding of their participants’ condition through their research?

Answer 20

Verstehen

Question 21

Do Interpretivists produce Macro or Micro research? What does this mean?

Answer 21

Micro Research. This means it is done on a small scale

Question 22

Name the 3 Theoretical Approaches which Sociologists can take in a piece of research

Answer 22

Positivism, Interpretivism, Realism

Question 23

What Research methods will you use if you are a Realist?

Answer 23

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Question 24

Why will Realists use a combination of Quantitative and Qualitative methods?

Answer 24

To get a more comprehensive picture of their research

Question 25

What must Realists consider when picking their Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods?

Answer 25

Which parts of these two methods will be most appropriate for their study

Question 26

Define Methodological Pluralism

Answer 26

When theoretical approaches are combined

Question 27

Give an example of ‘mixed methods’ a Realist may use in their Research.

Answer 27

They could use Unstructured Interviews along with Questionnaires

Question 28

What do Realist Researchers use once they have collected their data using mixed methods?

Answer 28

Triangulation

Question 29

What does Triangulation involve?

Answer 29

Comparing and Interpreting the results that Realists have obtained