c9ncepts/methods

Validity

Is how truthful or Accurate

research is.

Validity is sought by Interpretivists as they make a micro (small scale) approach

and look at individuals' meanings and motives.

Validity is more likely with qualitative methods (expressed in words/text) with open

questions, where respondents don’t approximate answers, respondents can fully

explore the topic in their own worlds. This increases the accuracy or validity.

Qualitative methods often mean the research and respondent can build a rapport,

or a relationship, this makes respondents feel more comfortable, so they are likely

to give truthful responses, increasing the validity.

Reliability

If the research was

Repeated it would get the

same or similar results

More likely with quantitative methods (numerical/statistical) with closed questions

because we don’t have to approximate.

Qualitative

Qualitative data is expressed in text or words and uses methods with open

questions,for example unstructured interviews.

Qualitative methods are high in validity as the open questions mean respondents

don’t approximate answers, and respondents can fully explore the topic in theory on

their own worlds. This increases the accuracy or validity. Quantitative methods

often mean the research and respondent can build a rapport, or a relationship, this

makes respondents feel more comfortable, so they are likely to give truthful

responses. Interpretivists seek use methods that generate qualitative data as it

enable them to explore individual meanings and motivated or get versten (deep

understanding)

Quantitative

Quantitative data is expressed in numerical or statistical form. It uses methods

with closed questions.

Closed questions make the research quick to complete, this increases the sample

size, leading to more representative data (that accounts for social class, gender

and ethnicity. This means results can be generalised, make a claim, or apply results.

Closed questions also mean respondents have to approximate, so they are likely to

give the same or similar answers, increasing the reliability.

Quantitative data is sought by Positivists as it enables them to establish key

patterns and trends.

Representativeness

Sample (or group) reflects the characteristics of the population in terms of social

class, gender and ethnicity.

Representativeness is sought by Positivists as it can enable them to understand

patterns and trends and take a macro, or large scale approach. Representativeness is more likely with Quantitative methods as the closed

questions make it quick to complete, this means researchers can access larger

samples, making the research more representative.

Representative samples, means researchers can generalise or apply the results or

make a claim to the target population.

Objectivity

Free from bias or the researcher's opinion. Colosi develops a bias or is subjective

when using Participant observations, or she does not remain objective ‘ I had an

Internal dialogue, and thought no, your wrong’. This decreases the validity, not as

truthful, as the researchers interpretation can be incorrect.