Sociology–Module 1–Topic 6: Research methods

What is positivism in sociology?

A research approach that uses quantitative methods, emphasizing objectivity, measurement, and general laws, similar to the natural sciences. Associated with Auguste Comte and Emile Durkheim.

What are two advantages and one limitation of positivism?

• Advantages:
  • Aims for objectivity
  • Allows generalization and replicability

• Limitation:
  • May ignore subjective meanings and individual experiences

What is interpretivism in sociology?

A research approach using qualitative methods to understand subjective meanings and individual interpretations of social reality. Associated with Max Weber and George Herbert Mead.

What are two advantages and one limitation of interpretivism?

• Advantages:
  • Provides in-depth understanding.
  • Explores social meanings and context.

• Limitation:
  • Findings may be subjective and difficult to generalize.

What is quantitative research?

Definition: Research that measures social phenomena using numerical data and statistical analysis, aiming for objectivity and generalization.

• Methods include:
  • Surveys
  • Official statistics
  • Experiments

What are advantages and disadvantages of quantitative research?

• Advantages:
  • Reliable and replicable
  • Allows generalization from large samples
  • Data easily analysed statistically

• Disadvantages:
  • Lacks depth about feelings or meanings
  • May produce inaccurate results if samples are unrepresentative

What is qualitative research?

Definition: Research focused on in-depth understanding of meanings, experiences, and values, producing rich descriptive data.

• Methods include:
  • Unstructured interviews
  • Participant observation
  • Case studies
  • Document analysis

What are advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research?

Advantages:
• High validity
• Provides detailed insights
• Useful for sensitive topics

Disadvantages:
• Difficult to replicate
• Findings may not be generalizable
• Data analysis can be subjective

What is triangulation?

Definition: Using multiple research methods to study a phenomenon to increase validity and reliability.

• Advantage: More comprehensive understanding.

• Disadvantage: Time-consuming and resource-intensive.

What is a survey?

Definition: A research method that collects data from a sample of people using questionnaires or structured interviews.

• Types include:
  • Descriptive
  • Attitude
  • Explanatory

What are advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires?

Advantages:
• Easy to administer
• Reach large populations
• Cost-effective
• Data easily analysed

Disadvantages:
• Low validity if questions are unclear
• Respondents may lie or misunderstand
• Low response rates in postal surveys

What are structured interviews?

Definition: Interviews with standardized questions asked in the same order to all respondents.

• Advantages:
  • Reliable and easy to replicate
  • Allows comparisons between respondents

• Disadvantages:
  • Limited depth of responses
  • Researcher controls questions

What is sampling in research?

Definition: Selecting a subset of individuals from a population to represent the whole group.

• Key terms:
  • Population: Entire group being studied
  • Sampling frame: List of individuals in the population

What is probability sampling?

Definition: Sampling where every member of the population has a known chance of being selected.

• Types include:
  • Simple random
  • Systematic
  • Stratified
  • Multistage

What is simple random sampling?

Definition: Every member of the population has an equal chance of selection.

• Advantage: Unbiased selection.

• Disadvantage: May produce an unrepresentative sample by chance.

What is stratified sampling?

Definition: Definition: Population is divided into subgroups (strata) and samples are selected proportionally.

• Advantage: More representative.

• Disadvantage: Some individuals may have reduced chance of selection.

What is non-probability sampling?

Definition: Sampling where not every member has an equal chance of selection.

• Examples:
  • Quota sampling
  • Snowball sampling
  • Non-representative sampling

What is snowball sampling?

Definition: Participants refer other potential participants to the researcher.

• Advantage: Useful for hard-to-reach groups.

• Disadvantage: Small and often unrepresentative samples.

What are document studies?

Definition: Research that analyses existing documents such as personal letters, historical records, and official reports.

• Advantages:
  • Saves time and money
  • Provides insight into past events

• Disadvantages:
  • Data may be biased, incomplete, or unreliable

What is participant observation?

Definition: Researcher joins and participates in the group being studied.

• Advantages:
  • High validity
  • First-hand experience

• Disadvantages:
  • Ethical concerns
  • Time-consuming and subjective

What is non-participant observation?

Definition: Researcher observes a group without participating.

• Advantages:
  • More objective
  • Easier to record data

• Disadvantages:
  • Less understanding of meanings
  • Possible misinterpretation

What are longitudinal studies?

Definition: Studies that examine the same individuals or groups over a long period of time.

• Advantages:
  • Track social change
  • High validity

• Disadvantages:
  • Time-consuming
  • Attrition (participants drop out)

What are cross-sectional studies?

Definition: Research that collects data from a sample at one point in time.

• Advantages:
  • Faster and less expensive
  • Allows comparison between groups

• Disadvantages:
  • Cannot track long-term changes

What are middle-range studies?

Definition: Studies that combine quantitative and qualitative approaches, often using large samples across groups or over time.

• Advantages:
  • Allows generalization
  • Practical for large studies

• Disadvantages:
  • May still lack high reliability
  • Can be time-consuming