RESEARCH METHODS - POSITIVISM & INTERPRETIVISM

How do positivists believe that society should be studied?

What, top down, macro

Quantitative data

Believe society should be studied in a scientific way - they want replicability

Structured observations/interviews

How do interpretivists believe that society should be studied?

Why, bottom up, micro

Qualitative data

Do not believe that society should be studied in a scientific way - they want validity

Unstructured observations/interviews, like both overt and covert research

What do positivist believe could mould peoples ideas and actions?

External social forces

What are some examples of external forces?

Social media, education, peer pressure, laws, norms, values, religion, morals

Who is the main positivist?

Durkheim

What did Durkheim refer to these external forces as?

"Social facts"

How did Durkheim believe these social facts should be studied?

Quantitatively in number or statistical form

Why did he believe quantitative data is better?

He believed feelings and emotions cannot be observed and measured so therefore should not be considered

Positivists believe sociology would lack evidence if it wasn’t studied this way

Would this mean sociology would be replicable?

No - it would be impossible to repeat, so could not make generalizations

What are examples of quantitative methods?

Large scale research - experiments, social surveys, structures questionnaires, structured interviews

What is an example of a study Durkheim did?

In 1897, Durkheim concluded a suicide study to establish the cause

He found that people who were not members of the church, had higher suicide rates (this could be due to lack of a community/network)

What do interpretivists believe peoples behavior is influenced by?

Influenced by the 'interpretations' and meanings that individuals give to social situations - they seek to understand how people see and understand the world around them

What do interpretivists call people?

People are "social actors" (front stage (in public) and back stage (at home) act differently)

Who is the main interpretivist?

Max Weber

What concept did Max Weber come up with? Why does it mean?

"Verstehen" - German for understand

How did he believe people understand?

You have to live in their shoes to fully understand someone's life - discussions are needed in order to interpret how people see the world

What type of data do interpretivists prefer? Examples?

Qualitative data - words, documents and images

What do these give that interpretivists like?

In depth descriptions and insights into attitudes, values and feelings of individuals and groups

What are exmap,as of interpretivist research methods?

Participant/non-participant observations, unstructured interviews, open ended questionnaires and person accounts such as diaries or letters

Do positivists prefer large or small scale research?

Large scale research with large numbers of people

Do interpretivists prefer large or small scale research?

In depth small scale research with small numbers of people