Sociology Research Methods Lesson 4

We believe that sociology can be studied using scientific methods on a large scale.

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

We believe that micro level research is important

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

We believe that the individual can affect society.

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

Large sample sizes are required because we are interested in how society affects the individual

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

When a study measures what it intends to measure

• Reliability

• Validity

• Representativeness

When a study can be repeated and similar results are found

• Reliability

• Validity

• Representativeness

We prefer to conduct research that generates quantitative data

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

High in reliability but low in validty

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

Low in reliability but high in validity

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

We conduct primary research

• Interpretivist

• Positivist

• Neither

• Both