Sociological Research Perspectives 2.3-2.4

Define Ethnography

• A method of studying the natural world

• A method of combining research methodologies

• A method of collecting objective and reliable data

• A method that enables the sociologist to understand the meanings that people attach to their actions

What is the difference between Triangulation and Methodological pluralism?

• Triangulation involves combining research methods, while Methodological pluralism refers to idea that the use of two or more methods increases reliability and validity of the work

• Triangulation is a method of studying social behavior, while Methodological pluralism is a method of studying the natural world

• Triangulation is a qualitative research method, while Methodological pluralism is a quantitative research method

• Triangulation is used by positivists, while Methodological pluralism is used by interpretivists

Describe the three approaches to research and how do they differ?

• Positivism advocates for qualitative research methods, Interpretivism advocates for quantitative research methods, Realism combines both qualitative and quantitative methods

• Positivism focuses on studying social behavior using methods similar to those used in the natural world, Interpretivism advocates methods that enable understanding of the meanings people attach to their actions, Realism combines both positivism and interpretivism

• Positivism focuses on studying the natural world, Interpretivism focuses on studying social behavior, Realism focuses on studying individual actions

• Positivism advocates for studying social behavior through participant observation, Interpretivism advocates for studying social behavior through experiments, Realism combines both participant observation and experiments

What techniques are preferred by positivists?

• Unstructured interviews, Rigorous testing, Qualitative measurements, Ethnography

• Participant observation, Ethnography, In-depth interviews, Focus groups

• Rigorous testing, Structured interviews, Experiments, Comparative and observational studies

• Field experiments, Case studies, Content analysis, Surveys

What are ethical considerations?

• Beliefs about what a researcher should or should not do before, during, and after their research

• The source of funding for academic research

• The morality of doing something

• The effectiveness of the research approach in generating consistent data

Outline the steps of ethical practice

• Personal objectivity, Reliability, Validity, Objectivity

• Is it true? – lying about results, Is it fair? – plagiarism, ownership, Is it wise? – does it damage the human condition, does it lead to a better world

• Choose a topic, select the most appropriate method of collecting data, confront and resolve theoretical questions, assess how and why various methods are fit for the purpose of testing a hypothesis or answering a research question

• Legal considerations, Safety considerations, Ethical considerations

What is validity and reliability in research?

• Reliability refers to the effectiveness of the research approach in generating consistent data, Validity refers to the extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure

• Reliability refers to the extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure, Validity refers to the effectiveness of the research approach in generating consistent data

• Reliability refers to the morality of doing something, Validity refers to the source of funding for academic research

• Reliability refers to the extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure, Validity refers to the morality of doing something

What does objectivity mean to social scientists?

• We can study objective features of the social world because they are solid and permanent, Many realities expressed through the various ways in which people see and understand the social world

• Personal objectivity is something all sociologists must actively try to achieve, Without it, sociological research has no greater reliability or validity than any other form of knowledge

• The closer we get to studying people in their natural environment, the more valid the results, The use of two or more research methods where the weaknesses of one method can be offset by the strengths of another

• The extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure, The ideal that can never be attained because all research involves some degree of value commitment

Define representativeness in research

• The closer we get to studying people in their natural environment, the more valid the results

• The extent to which a research sample accurately reflects the population being studied

• The extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure

• The effectiveness of the research approach in generating consistent data

Why should a researcher be 'value free'?

• To combine research methodologies in ways that allow each other to complement each other to improve research reliability and validity

• To understand the meanings that people attach to their actions

• To study objective features of the social world because they are solid and permanent

• To achieve personal objectivity and ensure the reliability and validity of the research