Research methods

• There are two types of theory in sociology;

  1. structuralist i.e. Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism.
  2. Interpretivist i.e. symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology.
• Structuralists, who take a macro approach, believe sociology is a science and data can be collected and quantified in to numerical information which can be studied.

  • Positivism.
• Interpretivists, who take the micro approach, believe sociology is not, cannot be and should never be a science.

  • Anti-postivism.
• Why is/isn't sociology a science?

  Positivists argue it is because:

  • Society is real and physical, just as the natural world is.
  • Society systemically shapes individuals and their behaviour, and this can be measured.
  • society can be objectively measured and studied.
• Why is/isn't sociology a science?

  Anti-positivists argue it is not because:

  • There is no objective reality; society is created by people through a negotiated order and social interactions.
  • Our actions are based on meanings we create, not structural influences, and therefore it cannot be measured.
  • Society can be interpreted subjectively.
• Positivists use methods which give them quantitative data:

  • Structured interviews, structured questionnaires, content analysis, experiments, official statistics.
• Anti-positivists use methods which give them qualitative data:

  • Unstructured interviews, unstructured questionnaires, observations and personal documents.
• Data produced by quantitative methods is highly reliable, but lacking in validity; date produced by qualitative methods is high reliable, but lacking in validity.
• Hypothesis

  • The general aim of the study; a possible explanation for something, which will be tested by collecting evidence to examine whether it is true or false.
  • "differences in family sizes leads to differences in educational attainment."
  • "consumption of violent music, video games and films leads to violent behaviour in individuals."
  • " A causes B"
• The hypothesis serves as the starting point and gives the research project a direction
• Operationalise the concepts

  • "consumption of violent music, video games and films leads to violent behaviour in individuals."
  • 'adult' content.
  • All key concepts must be operationalised so they can be effectively measured.
  • once this is done questions can be created which aim to answer the hypothesis.
  • "how many hours per week of violent media do you consume?"
  • failing to operationalise the concepts leaves them open to interpretation- subjectivity!
• select a research method

  • Choose the method of research which is best suited to answering your hypothesis.
  • "what is the best way to get the answers to the questions formed after operationalising the concepts?"
  • positivists and anti-positivists will choose different methods based on their beliefs regarding sociology as a science.
  • Positivists- quantitative methods.
  • Anti-positivists- qualitative methods.
  • Theoretical issue- the methodological perspective.
• Undertake a pilot study

  • Used by sociologists to identify any problems with the study which have been overlooked.
  • Clearer wording in questions- are they too open to interpretation?
  • Practice for the interviewer.
  • Once the pilot is conducted the issues can be rectified before the final study begins.
  • Young and Wilmott (1962) used a pilot study of 100 people to help them identify the best ways to word the questions they wanted to ask.
• Analyse the data

  • Compile and analyse the data.
  • If the data delivers results which are predicted by the hypothesis, then the hypothesis is confirmed.
  • If the hypothesis is not confirmed, the researcher has eliminated a variable and a new study with new variables can begin.