1. Quantitative v Qualitative ___________ v ___________

2. Quantitative v Qualitative Statistics v Words Facts v Feelings Numbers v Stories Graphs v Quotations

3. The BIG Idea
RESEARCH THEORY
Identify differences between positivist and interpretivist approaches to research.
Develop your understanding of terms and concepts to use in the research methods exam questions.
We are Learning to...
In today’s lesson...
GOOD learning …
Be able to identify the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research.
GREAT learning …
Be able to describe the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research, and be able identify which research methods either approach would favour.
EVEN BETTER …
Be able to describe the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research, and be able identify which research methods either approach would favour and explain why, using examples from previous lessons.
Wordle 3

4. Two Different Approaches to Collecting Data
Positivism
Interpretivism
An Interpretivist sociologist wants to understand how people give meaning to the social world around them.
A Positivist sociologist wants to identify the underlying causes of peoples behaviour.
The data that is collected is usually quantitative – facts and numbers that are precise.
The data that is collected is qualitative – reporting the in-depth experiences of those being studied.
Any method is fine as long as it involves the systematic collection of evidence.
Any method is fine as long as it helps us to understanding peoples motives and feelings.

7. Which methods would a Positivist sociologist use and which ones would an Interpretivist sociologist use?
Direct observation
Laboratory experiment
Questionnaires
Official statistics
Formal or structured interviews
Informal or unstructured interviews
Diaries and web blogs
Field experiment
Participant observation

8. Formal or structured interviews
Positivism
A Positivist sociologist wants to identify the underlying causes of peoples behaviour.
The data that is collected is quantitative – facts and numbers that are precise.
Formal or structured interviews
Official statistics
Questionnaires

9. Informal or unstructured interviews
Interpretivism
An Interpretivist sociologist wants to understand how people give meaning to the social world around them.
The data that is collected is usually qualitative – reporting the in-depth experiences of those being studied.
Informal or unstructured interviews
Participant observation

10. PET Issues
When you are deciding what research methods you should use, there are some main considerations you should think of.

11. Issues With Research Methods
PRACTICAL T R A M P S
Time Research Opportunity Access Money Personality Sampling

12. Issues With Research Methods
ETHICAL D R I P
Deception (covert) Right to Withdraw Informed Consent Protection from Harm

13. Issues With Research Methods
THEORETICAL P I Q
Positivist Interpretivist Qualitative Quantitative
V Validity
R Representative
R Reliable

14. Independent Work COMPLETE PET ISSUES SECTION IN WORKBOOK – Pages 3-6
Essay plan as a group, then write their conclusions

15. The BIG Idea
Sociological THEORY
Identify differences between positivist and interpretivist approaches to research.
Develop your understanding of terms and concepts to use in the research methods exam questions.
We are Learning to...
In today’s lesson...
GOOD learning …
Be able to identify the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research.
GREAT learning …
Be able to describe the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research, and be able identify which research methods either approach would favour.
EVEN BETTER …
Be able to describe the difference between the positivist and interpretivist approaches to research, and be able identify which research methods either approach would favour and explain why, using examples from previous lessons.
Wordle 15