Summary AQA A Level Sociology-Theory and Methods

Theory and Methods

What is Theory & Methods?

Theory & Methods looks at:

How sociologists study society
Different research methods
Debates about science and objectivity
Theoretical perspectives on society

It combines:

1. Theory = ways of explaining society
2. Methods = ways of researching society



1. Positivism vs Interpretivism

This is the biggest debate in sociology.

Positivism Interpretivism

Scientific approach Understand meanings

Quantitative methods Qualitative methods

Objective facts Subjective experiences

Reliability important Validity important

, Positivism
Key ideas:
Society should be studied scientifically
Human behaviour follows patterns
Use quantitative data

Preferred methods:
Questionnaires
Official statistics
Structured interviews

Key theorists:
Auguste Comte
Émile Durkheim

Strengths:
Reliable
Representative
Allows comparisons

Criticisms:
Humans are not like scientific objects
Ignores meanings and emotions

Interpretivism
Key ideas:

Sociology should understand meanings
Humans attach interpretations to actions