3.13 theory and method: overview

Positivists / Functionalists / Traditional Marxists

Main characteristics

• Macro approach

• Objective

• Scientific methods

• Prefer quantitative data

Prefer:

• Reliability

• Representativeness

Primary methods

• Structured interviews

• Questionnaires

• Overt observation

• Experiments

Secondary methods

• Official statistics

Interpretivists / Interactionists / Postmodernists

Main characteristics

• Micro approach

• Subjective

• Interested in meanings and experiences

• Prefer qualitative data

Prefer:

• Validity

Primary methods

• Unstructured interviews

• Participant observation

• Non-participant observation

Secondary methods

• Personal and historical documents

Key Evaluation Framework: CORRPET

Use CORRPET to evaluate any research method.

C – Context

• Topic being researched

• Social setting

• Characteristics of participants

O – Operationalisation

• Can concepts be measured clearly?

R – Reliability

• Can research be repeated?

R – Representativeness

• Does sample reflect target population?

P – Practicality

• Time, money, access, resources

E – Ethics

• Consent, deception, harm, privacy

T – Theory

• Which sociological perspective prefers the method?