Theoretical Factors Affecting Choice of Methods (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: C200
Positivism versus interpretivism
One of the key stages of planning research is deciding which method(s) to use
Some of the research methods available to sociologists include:
questionnaires
interviews
observations
content analysis
The method(s) sociologists decide to use are influenced by:
practical issues, e.g., time and money available
ethical issues, e.g., informed consent, confidentiality and data protection
theoretical issues, e.g., the debate about positivism and interpretivism
Differences between positivism and interpretivism
Positivism | Interpretivism | |
|---|---|---|
Scientific vs non-scientific methods | The only way to obtain knowledge about the world is through scientific methods like those natural scientists use. Positivists prefer a scientific approach to studying the social world, i.e., developing hypotheses and testing them to discover the facts. | Interpretivists believe that sociologists should use non-scientific methods to study the social world. This is because people are completely different from the subject matter studied in the natural sciences, so scientific methods are inappropriate. |
How they aim to understand behaviour | Positivists focus on behaviour that can be observed and measured rather than on people's feelings or emotions | Interpretivists like to explore people's behaviour and intentions and understand the meaning behind their behaviour. |
Research methods preferred | Positivists prefer research methods such as large-scale surveys; these are known as quantitative methods as they gather facts and figures to describe society in statistical terms. | Interpretivists prefer research methods such as in-depth interviews and participant observation; these are qualitative methods as they collect rich, detailed accounts rather than statistics. |
Criticisms | Critics argue that scientific methods can't be applied to sociology because people are completely different from the things studied in the natural sciences. | It is difficult to achieve objectivity in research, as the researcher's own beliefs, interpretations, and cultural preferences can affect the research outcomes. |
The mixed methods approach
Today, the distinction between quantitative and qualitative methods is less rigid
Sociologists recognise that both types of data can be combined to gain a deeper understanding of society
A mixed methods approach allows researchers to collect numerical (quantitative) data and detailed (qualitative) data within the same study
This combination is sometimes called triangulation, as it helps researchers cross-check their findings and increase validity and reliability
Studies using mixed methods
Mac an Ghaill researched African-Caribbean boys in schools and youth groups
He used interviews and observations (qualitative) and backed these up with statistical data (quantitative) from schools
This helped confirm that the boys’ experiences matched official data — both methods supported each other
Eileen Barker studied a religious group called the Moonies
After observing members and interviewing them in depth, she designed a questionnaire to collect quantitative data
This helped her test whether her qualitative findings were consistent on a larger scale
Evaluation of the mixed methods approach
Strengths
Mixed methods give a richer and more rounded picture of social life, as they combine numbers with personal meanings and experiences
They increase validity, as findings from one method can be checked against another to produce more trustworthy results than using only one method
They allow researchers to see patterns and explanations behind the data — for example, why certain statistical trends occur
They can be used to check whether results from one method support or challenge findings from another
Criticisms
Using multiple methods can be time-consuming and expensive, and the data from one method may dominate or even contradict the other methods
The data from one method, e.g., official statistics, may dominate the research
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