Methodology Mind map Part Three
- Created by: lc_x
- Created on: 23-01-18 10:16
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- Sociology Methodology - Topic One, Part Three
- Positivists verses Interpretativists
- P = society is a factual reality, it exists somewhere. I = we construct reality through meanings in interactions with others
- P = society exerts influence over its members, shaping their behaviour. I = actions are based on the meanings we give to situations, not external factors.
- P = Uses quantitative data to uncover this behaviour. I = qualitative data used to uncover social actors' meanings within interactions.
- P = By using quantitative data, they want to find out the objective scientific laws that determine behaviour. I = By using qualitative data, they want to see subjective understanding of interactions.
- P = prefer questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and official data because it is reliable and representative
- I = prefer participant observation, personal documents and unstructured interviews as it produces valid data.
- Choice of Topic
- Theoretical Perspective
- Whilst New Right would be interested in topics surrounding welfare and employment, Feminists would be interested in domestic violence.
- Society's values
- As sociologists are a part of society, they will be influenced by its values. Values change a lot, so the sociologist's research will also change.
- Funding bodies
- Research needs funding, usually from the government. As the external body will be providing the money, they will decide which topics to be studied.
- Practical Factors
- Inaccessibility to certain situations, making them unable to research a certain topic.
- Theoretical Perspective
- Process of Research
- Aim:Favoured by action theorists because it doesn't impose ideas.
- Hypothesis: Favoured by positivists as it is a scientific approach
- Pilot Study
- Often done before social surveys. Involves making a questionnaire on a small sample. Its aim is to look out for problems.
- Samples and Studying
- A smaller sub-group drawn in from the wider group that sociologists are interested in.
- This is done to ensure that people chosen to be in the study are typical of the representation of the research population.
- Types of Sampling: Random, Systematic, Statified and Quata.
- A smaller sub-group drawn in from the wider group that sociologists are interested in.
- Positivists verses Interpretativists
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