POSITIVISM INTERPRETIVISM
Objective Subjective
Macro Micro
Sociology is a science Sociology is not a science
Favoured methods: Favoured methods:
Questionnaires Unstructured interviews
Secondary data Ethnographic research
Non-participant observation Focus groups
Primary data
Most important: Most important:
Being reliable + representative will collect Validity should be prioritised
scientific data The views of the researched are vital
Science = facts
Validity = inevitable
Strengths of positivism: Strengths of interpretivism:
Reliable Valid
Representative Rapport
Scientific Vertehen
objective No researcher imposition
TRIANGULATION
Mixed method/methological pluralism: sociologists use more than one method in research
- can be qualitative and quantitative
Objective Subjective
Macro Micro
Sociology is a science Sociology is not a science
Favoured methods: Favoured methods:
Questionnaires Unstructured interviews
Secondary data Ethnographic research
Non-participant observation Focus groups
Primary data
Most important: Most important:
Being reliable + representative will collect Validity should be prioritised
scientific data The views of the researched are vital
Science = facts
Validity = inevitable
Strengths of positivism: Strengths of interpretivism:
Reliable Valid
Representative Rapport
Scientific Vertehen
objective No researcher imposition
TRIANGULATION
Mixed method/methological pluralism: sociologists use more than one method in research
- can be qualitative and quantitative
