W1: Introduction to Social Research.
There are numerous ways to look at the world & to capture data about it.
The research methods that you select will depend on what you are trying to explore
& why.
Paradigms of research:
Positivism
o Natural science model of research
o Social reality treated as physical reality – as something that exists & can be
studies scientifically
o Allow researcher to adopt an objective, detailed approach to study
o Focus generally on facts & figures
o Tends to be quantitative
Interpretivism
o Primarily concerned with developing insights to people’s beliefs & lived
experiences
o Sceptical about possibility of objectivity
Quantitative vs. Qualitative methods:
Quant. Qualt.
1. Structured data 1. Unstructured data
2. Often numerical 2. Subjective
3. Statistics 3. Interpersonal
4. Repeatable 4. Ethnography, interviews, focus
5. Large sample size groups
6. Aim to be generalizable 5. Sample size often irrelevant
7. Surveys, experiments 6. Context specific
8. Based in idea of ‘facts’, ‘truths’ 7. Subjective conclusions
9. Positivist 8. Construct social reality
10. Can often be visualised in tables & 9. Focus on cultural meaning
graphs 10. Values present & explicit
11. Measure objective facts 11. Theory & data fused
12. Focus on variables 12. Few cases, subjects
13. Reliability the key factor
14. Separate theory & data
15. Independent of context
16. Many cases, subjects
17. Statistical analysis
18. Researcher detached
19. *value free
, Methods vs. Methodology:
Methods: collection of specific techniques we use in a study select cases, measure &
observe social life, gather & refine date, analyse data, and report on results.
Methodology: understanding the entire research process; including social context,
ethics, philosophical assumptions and the social & political impact of your findings.
There are numerous ways to look at the world & to capture data about it.
The research methods that you select will depend on what you are trying to explore
& why.
Paradigms of research:
Positivism
o Natural science model of research
o Social reality treated as physical reality – as something that exists & can be
studies scientifically
o Allow researcher to adopt an objective, detailed approach to study
o Focus generally on facts & figures
o Tends to be quantitative
Interpretivism
o Primarily concerned with developing insights to people’s beliefs & lived
experiences
o Sceptical about possibility of objectivity
Quantitative vs. Qualitative methods:
Quant. Qualt.
1. Structured data 1. Unstructured data
2. Often numerical 2. Subjective
3. Statistics 3. Interpersonal
4. Repeatable 4. Ethnography, interviews, focus
5. Large sample size groups
6. Aim to be generalizable 5. Sample size often irrelevant
7. Surveys, experiments 6. Context specific
8. Based in idea of ‘facts’, ‘truths’ 7. Subjective conclusions
9. Positivist 8. Construct social reality
10. Can often be visualised in tables & 9. Focus on cultural meaning
graphs 10. Values present & explicit
11. Measure objective facts 11. Theory & data fused
12. Focus on variables 12. Few cases, subjects
13. Reliability the key factor
14. Separate theory & data
15. Independent of context
16. Many cases, subjects
17. Statistical analysis
18. Researcher detached
19. *value free
, Methods vs. Methodology:
Methods: collection of specific techniques we use in a study select cases, measure &
observe social life, gather & refine date, analyse data, and report on results.
Methodology: understanding the entire research process; including social context,
ethics, philosophical assumptions and the social & political impact of your findings.
