1. Perspectives on Methodology: Positivism vs. Interpretivism:
Sociologists choice of method is influenced by their sociological perspective.- in other words -their view of what society is like and how we should study it.
There are 2 contrasting perspectives when it comes to choosing methodology:
2) Interpretivism
(Social Action Approach)
Positivism
(Structural Approach)
It is crucial that you understand these different perspectives and how they effect a researchers choice of methodology. Read around this topic and keep your notes organised – this is not an easy topic but the more you keep your notes organised the easier it will become.

2. 1) Positivism (Structural Theory) (Positivist Research)
Positivists concern themselves with the MACRO
Assume society exists independently of indiviuduals, it has an OBJECTIVE factual actual reality, just like the physical natural world, it is ‘out there’. Just like the natural world it can be investigated SCIENTIFICALLY using the methods of the ‘natural sciences’.
Society exists independently to individuals. It is an EXTERNAL FORCE that is observable, measurable & predictable. Society shapes & controls individuals. Individuals are PASSIVE.
Positivists prefer STRUCTURED, QUANTITATIVE methodology and aim to look for PREDICTABLE and FORMULAIC PATTERNS of behaviour.
X + Y = Z
MACRO
Micro
Positivists look for Causal Relationships, and prefer Value-Free, Reliable, Representative, Large Scale Quanitifiable methodology.
Deductive Logic

3. 1) Interpretivism (Social Action Theory) (Interpretivist Research)
Positivists concern themselves with the MICRO
Assume society cannot exist without individuals: Society is dependant on individuals. It is a SUBJECTIVE reality that is created by individual interactions and the meanings that individudals give to interactions and behaviour. Society is a SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION.
The social world is shaped by INTERNAL FORCES an that is unpredictable, often random and ever changing & therefore cannot be objectively measured and studied. Individuals shape the society. Individuals are ACTIVE.
Interpretivists prefer UNSTRUCTURED, QUALITATIVE methodology and aim to uncover & INTERPRET MEANINGS behind behaviour & Interactions.
MICRO
Macro
Interpretivists look for Meanings & Valid, Small-Scale, In-Depth methodology.
Inductive Logic

4. Choice of Methods: (SOCIAL ACTION THEORY) INTERPRETIVISM:
(STRUCTURALIST THEORY) POSITIVISM:
Natural/ Field Experiments
Artificial Experiments
Comparative Method
Small Scale Surveys (Case Studies)
Primary Data Collection:
Large Scale Surveys
Questionnaires (Closed Ended/ Pre-Coded Qs)
Questionnaires (Open-Ended Qs)
Unstructured (Informal) Interviews
Structured (Formal) Interviews
Participant Observations
Non-Participant Observations
Diaries
Newspaper Articles
Official Statistics
Secondary Data Collection:
Auto/ Biographies
Life Histories
Documentaries (TV/ Radio)
Photographs/ Paintings