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What do interpretivists believe?
Qualitative data
Validity
Value laden
Non-probabiliy sampling
Humans are individual
Sociology not science
What do positivists believe?
Quantitative data
Reliability
Value freedom
Probability sampling
Establish general laws, social/empirical facts
Sociology is science
What is a key interpretivist study?
Weber - Study of Calvinists
What is a key positivist study?
Durkheim - Study of suicide
What is Popper’s theory?
Science aims to falsify not verify
What is an inductive approach?
Form hypothesis then back it up with data
What is a deductive approach?
Form a hypothesis and then try to prove it wrong - theory can be proven false
Is Popper positivist or interpretivist?
Interpretivist
What is Kuhn’s theory?
Paradigm
What is a paradigm?
Basic framework of assumptions
What does the paradigm theory argue?
There is no accepted framework to base methods off in sociology meaning it can’t be a science
What did Becker argue?
Values are always present in sociology - sociologists should adopt compassionate stance
What did Gouldner say about Becker?
He takes a romantic and sentimental approach to disadvantaged groups, sociologists should not just describe the underdog but should support them. Value freedom is impossible and undesirable
Can sociology influence social policy?
Yes
What is electoral popularity?
Research findings point to policy that is unpopular with voters
What are interest groups?
People that seek to influence government policies with their own interests
What is ideological policy?
If a researcher’s stance is similar to the government’s then they have more chance influencing policies
How does globalisation influence social policy?
International organisations
How does cost influence policy?
Insufficient funds to implement an appropriate policy
