Research Methods
Positivism, interpretivism, quantitative and qualitative approaches
Positivism: Society can be studied scientifically using objective, measurable data. Prefers **quantitative methods** — surveys, questionnaires, official statistics. Values **reliability** (repeatability) and **representativeness** (generalisation). Key figure: **Durkheim** (used suicide statistics to find social patterns).
Interpretivism: Society is too complex for purely scientific study. Prefers **qualitative methods** — unstructured interviews, participant observation. Values **validity** (deep understanding of meanings). Key figure: **Weber** (Verstehen — empathetic understanding).
Key methods:
- Surveys/Questionnaires: Large samples, quantitative, easy to analyse. But low response rates, superficial, can't explore meanings.
- Interviews: Structured (fixed questions) or unstructured (conversational). Depth vs reliability trade-off.
- Observation: Participant (researcher joins group) or non-participant (watches). Rich data but **observer effect** (Hawthorne effect).
- Official statistics: Readily available, large-scale. But socially constructed (dark figure of crime).
Ethical issues: Informed consent, right to withdraw, confidentiality, protection from harm, no deception (usually).
Key Points to Remember
- 1Positivists: quantitative, reliability, scientific approach
- 2Interpretivists: qualitative, validity, meanings
- 3Observation risks Hawthorne effect (behaviour changes when watched)
- 4Ethics: consent, confidentiality, protection from harm
Pakistan Example
Researching Karachi's Street Children — Method Matters
Studying Karachi's estimated 1.5 million street children requires interpretivist methods — structured surveys won't capture their lived experiences. Participant observation (spending time with children in Saddar) yields richer data but raises ethical concerns about consent from minors and researcher safety. A positivist might use UNICEF statistics instead.
Quick Revision Infographic
Sociology — Quick Revision
Research Methods
Key Concepts
Researching Karachi's Street Children — Method Matters
Studying Karachi's estimated 1.5 million street children requires interpretivist methods — structured surveys won't capture their lived experiences. Participant observation (spending time with children in Saddar) yields richer data but raises ethical concerns about consent from minors and researcher safety. A positivist might use UNICEF statistics instead.