research methods (mocks)

Question 1

positivism - 7

Answer 1

scientific principles 
observable phenomena - correlation and cause 
directly measurable 
reliability 
quantifiable data 
social facts 
Durkheim study of suicide

Question 2

evaluations of positivism

Answer 2

+ objective and scientific approach - free from bias and own values - use quantitative research
+ government more likely to fund studies as it can be generalised and aren’t bias
+ more reliable as is scientific
- ignore the subjective experience of an individual
- researcher imposition

Question 3

interpretivism (6)

Answer 3

subjective - meaning and experiences of individuals
verstehen and empathy
research imposition - having an option the research
rapport
qualitative data
high validity results

Question 4

strength - interpretivism

Answer 4

+ high validity (personal experiences and feelings on topic)

+ good for sensitive topics

+ more meaningful

+ reflexivity - aware of own bias and conflicting it

Question 5

weakness- interpretivism

Answer 5

• unsystematic - snowball effect
• research influence and narrow focus ( interpretivist believe this is okay )
• unrepresentative (small sample and individual cases) and narrow focus
• reliability not guaranteed ( interpretivist believe this is okay )
• researcher bias

Question 6

ethnography

Answer 6

researcher inserts themselves into the natural setting of the social group being studied
observe daily activities
research design - informal or unstructured interviews also used + empathesis with people

Question 7

evaluations of ethnography

Answer 7

strengths 
\+interpretivists support this method (reliable results)
\+ detailed qualitative data provided
\+ high in validity 
\+ learn about cultures 

weakness - researcher bias and influence

• time consuming
• need a well trained researcher
• ethical issue with illegal behavior ( research + participant)