Interpretivism

• What is interpretivism in sociology?

  A methodological approach examining individual interpretations
• How does interpretivism differ from positivism?

  It focuses on individual meanings and motivations
• What do interpretivists seek to understand?

  The meanings people give to their actions
• What is a key idea of interpretivism regarding society?

  Society is constructed of individual decisions
• What do interpretivists believe about researchers' empathy?

  Researchers need empathy to understand subjects
• What type of data do interpretivists prefer?

  Qualitative data that is subjective
• Why do interpretivists favor qualitative methods?

  They provide deeper insights into human behavior
• What is a method used by interpretivists to gather data?

  Participant observations
• How do participant observations benefit interpretivist research?

  They allow firsthand experience of group activities
• What do secondary sources provide in interpretivist research?

  Greater insight into individuals' lives
• What is the purpose of open-ended questionnaires in interpretivist research?

  To gather meanings and motivations from subjects
• What are the strengths of interpretivist methods compared to positivist methods?

  Higher validity and deeper understanding of meanings
• How do interpretivist methods help researchers from different backgrounds?

  They allow understanding of views outside their class
• What type of groups can interpretivist research provide insights into?

  Hard-to-reach groups and deviant subcultures
• What is a limitation of interpretivist methodology?

  Difficulty in replicating qualitative methods
• How can researcher bias affect interpretivist research?

  It can influence interpretation of data
• Why is interpretivist research often seen as unscientific?

  It cannot be falsified or generalized
• What is the role of sociology according to interpretivists?

  To act as a commentary on society
• What is an example of interpretivist research mentioned?

  Willis's "Learning to Labour"
• What did Jack Young's research focus on?

  Deviancy amplification and labeling processes
• Which sociologists utilized interpretivist methodologies in education?

  Fuller, Archer, and McEngile
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of interpretivist research methods?

  Strengths:

  • Higher validity than positivist methods
  • Uncovers meanings and motivations
  • Provides voice to marginalized groups
  • Insight into hard-to-reach populations

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Difficult to replicate
  • Potential for researcher bias
  • Small scale and atypical focus
  • Seen as unscientific by some