Theory and methods

Theory and methods

1. positivism

   • An approach to researching society first created by durkime that revolves around the idea that sociology is a science and so society can be studied through scientific methods
   • approaches
     • structural
       • Certain structures and institutions in society help shape the behaviour of society
       • Examples
         • functionalism
     • macro
       • Examples
         • marxism
       • The bigger picture
     • quantitive data
       • Examples
         • secondary socurces
         • Structured interviews
         • Lab experiments
         • questionaries
       • data that is both relyable and can be repeted with the same results
     • Scientific method
       • The study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.
   • Key positivists sociologists

2. interpritivism

   • Approaches
   • Understanding the interpretations and meanings people give to actions through gaining an insight into the experiences of individuals and groups.

3. observations

   • Participant observations
     • covert
       • drawbacks
         • researcher cannot ask ignorant questions
         • Individuals may have to participate in illegal acts
       • Benefits
         • Evades the Horethorne affect
     • overt
       • Benefits
         • Sociologists are able to openly take notes
         • researchers can ask ignorant questions
       • drawbacks
         • going nativre
         • Horethorne affect
           • When an individual is aware that they are being observed they will act differently
   • Researching a group through viewing their actions either overtly or covertly