Choosing a Method

    Cards (13)

    • What type of data does the positivist perspective prefer?

      scientific, quantifiable data that is quick and easy to obtain, and is rich in reliability
    • What type of data does the interpretivist perspective prefer?

      qualitative data that provides in-depth meaning of a small-scale research group, and is therefore rich in validity
    • What else influences the choice of research method?
      the practical, ethical and theoretical issues associated with it
    • What are some practical issues?
      1. time- Some methods take more time than others due to more detailed data being recorded (e.g.). more time = smaller sample
      2. money- equipment, travel, people's time and funding may restrict research method used
      3. access- some respondents/topics are easier to access than others-e.g., trying to research a school
    • What are some ethical issues?
      1. Informed consent- participants must be fully aware of what the research entails and this should be explained using terms that are easily understood
      2. Confidentiality and privacy- participants should remain anonymous and unidentifiable in published research
      3. Psychological harm- some groups are more vulnerable to this than others-e.g., children, nature of research shouldn't involve cruelty
    • What are the theoretical issues?
      1. Reliability-must be repeatable with similar results (standardised measuring instrument)
      2. Representativeness- sample group must have similar characteristics to the rest of the group
      3. Validity- how true and accurate the data is
    • Why do interpretivists prioritise validity?
      They reveal real meanings that people attach to actions
    • Why do positivists prioritise representativeness?
      Generalisability- can find causal laws and social facts
    • What do positivists prefer in research methods?
      Scientific, quantifiable data
    • What type of data do interpretivists value?
      Qualitative data
    • Why do positivists prefer scientific data?
      It is quick and easy to obtain
    • What is a key characteristic of interpretivist research?
      It provides in-depth meaning of small groups
    • What factors determine the choice of research method?
      Practical, ethical, and theoretical issues
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