(2) Sociological Research

• Positivism is also known as the scientific method to research
• Positivists concentrate on producing quantitative empirical data. They value methods like surveys, structured interviews and questionnaires
• Explain the main features of scientific research

  
  

  • Reliability and replicability - Replicability means research that gains similar data when replicated; reliability means a high level of consistency in data from replicating research
  • Objectivity - This means that the findings of an experiment shouldn’t be affected by the researcher; this increases validity in results as no matter who conducted the research, the results would be the same
• Positivists also prefer value free research. This is the ability of a researcher to keep their own values from interfering with research processes and findings. This is important as it ensures research is bias-free and increases reliability and validity of a research
• Give the advantages of positivist research in terms of scientific credibility

  Supports scientific credibility by using methodology favored by natural sciences and can make predictions about data. The use of standardized conditions and rigorous control over variables give quantitative data that can be used to draw conclusions, compare results and identify correlation faster than qualitative methods. This allows sociologists like Durkheim to suggest facts on human behavior (the more socially integrated, the less chance for suicide) and make predictions on human behavior
• Give the advantages of positivist research in terms of higher reliability

  Positivism yields results with higher reliability. The use of quantitative data provides unbiased, objective results that can be replicated to check for bias and eventually increase reliability. For example, Kenneth and Clark’s doll test was replicated in various different countries by using the same controlled procedures and this resulted in higher reliability as the same results were achieved in all of the replications
• Give the disadvantages of positivist research in terms of extreme generalization

  Positivism can lose insight of individual experiences through extreme generalization of data. Interpretivists like Weber criticizes the positivist culture of being preoccupied with producing scientific laws on human behavior. They believe society is created through individuals interacting with each other rather than structuralist ideas and therefore, findings can’t be generalized as it doesn’t show what specific experiences people are having and the reasons so
• Give the disadvantages of positivist research in terms of biased data

  Quantitative data can be highly biased. This data is often collected by those prone to bias and since it’s impossible for humans to be bias free, it can cause issues with validity of an experiment. Atkinson’s study of coroners and suicide was an interpretivist critique of Durkheim’s study and noted that his methodology was flawed. In suicide, since coroners can only decide on the result of death based on close ones, it suggests that quantitative data can‘t be fully value free and completely valid
• Interpretivists are not structuralists unlike positivists. They believe humans gain their identity through the micro interactions they take part in and it’s impossible to create scientific laws on human behavior as this is very context specific and based on individual experiences. Unlike positivists who value reliability and objectivity, they value validity
• What is the interpretivist method to sociological research

  Research that focuses on understanding the ‘why?’ part rather than the ‘how?’ part and the meaning of action from the person's point of view
• What is meant by verstehen?

  Max Weber noted verstehen, referring to the understanding of the meaning of action from the person's point of view, involving entering the shoes of the person and seeing the world through their eyes. He believed that society shouldn’t be studied scientifically and that it was important to study the individual’s perspective this way
• What is meant by building a rapport?

  Validity can be increased by building rapports and forming mutual relationships between the researcher and the participant, allowing the researcher to observe and engage with people in their natural environment and portray a true picture of their lives
• Give the advantages of interpretivist research in terms of maximum validity

  Interacting with participants through verstehen is crucial to obtain maximum validity in the study. For example, Valerie Hey’s study of girl friendship among two London schools used personal documents to read their diaries and apply verstehen to the study. This allowed her to see the reasons on why something had happened rather than just how it happened and this increased the validity of her research
• Give advantages of interpretivist research in terms of depth of insight

  The depth of insight from interpretivist research can provide great understanding that may be missed by scientific methodology. The empathy of the researcher and building a rapport with the interviewees often reveal unique findings not able to be found with positivist methods. For example, Venkatesh’s study of Chicago gangs involved him building a rapport with the gang leader. This led to increased validity in his research as he found reasons to why they behaved in ways they do rather than just observing them
• Give disadvantages of interpretivist research in terms of generalizable data

  It is difficult to generalize data conducted from interpretivist methodology. Much of it consists of qualitative methods so there is usually no baseline for comparison, making generalizations difficult. For example, the results gained from James Patrick’s work on Glasgow Gangs provided data unlikely to be generalized into other subcultures and gangs. This means the applicability of drawing conclusions is limited and questions the subjective interpretation of participants
• Give disadvantages of interpretivist research in terms of biased data

  Qualitative interpretivist data may be more prone to bias than scientific methods. It is the result of the researcher’s selective interpretations so it will lead to low reliability. For example, Weber held the view that sociologists cannot ever be fully value free in selecting topics and even their choice of methodology would reflect this. Hence, qualitative data is much more prone to bias than quantitative data
• What is meant by methodological pluralism?

  This is the usage of more than one research method to gain data with maximum reliability and validity and can include combining methods which produce quantitative and qualitative data
• What is meant by triangulation?

  This is the process through which methodological pluralism is put into place and applied to sociological research. For example methodological triangulation which involves the use of two or more research methods, researcher triangulation which is using multiple researchers to interpret data and data triangulation which involves using different sampling techniques to gather data
• What are the strengths of triangulation?

  • Allows the researcher to support quantitative data with qualitative data and maximizes reliability and validity
  • Offsets the weaknesses of one research method with another
  • Can be used to cross reference the researcher’s interpretation to other data and check for validity and reliability
• What are the limits of triangulation?

  • It is time consuming and expensive
  • The researcher needs to be skilled in conducting several research methods
  • Positivism and interpretivism is very different so it can be difficult to combine them into one