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Research Methods

Research Methods. The Positivist View. Social science research should be as similar as possible to those of ‘ natural scientists ’ – (physicists, chemists etc.) It should therefore be ‘ objective ’ i.e. produce results which can be checked by others Should not include value judgements

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Research Methods

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  1. Research Methods Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  2. The Positivist View • Social science research should be as similar as possible to those of ‘natural scientists’ – (physicists, chemists etc.) • It should therefore be ‘objective’ i.e. produce results which can be checked by others • Should not include value judgements • Mostly consists of using statistical data which can verified using the comparative method Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  3. The Interpretivist View • Looks at broad patterns of human behaviour • A more subjective approach • Statistics alone cannot always explain • Statistical data needs to be supplemented by more ‘in depth’ study of reasons • Considers peoples motivations and perspectives Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  4. Primary Data • Surveys, questionnaires • Formal, structured interviews • Case studies • Informal, unstructured interviews • Participant observation • Government statistics Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  5. Secondary Data • Analysis of government statistics • Analysis of research produced by other social scientists • Study of official documents • Analysis of media reports • Analysis of personal documents Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  6. Quantitative research • Collecting facts and figures and using objective methods: • Surveys using questionnaires using closed questions (primary) • Case studies (primary) • Analysis of statistics (both) • Study of other documents (secondary) Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  7. Qualitative • To gain a more in-depth understanding of the subject: • Informal and unstructured interviews (primary) • Participant observation (primary) • Analysis of media (secondary) • Analysis of diaries, autobiographies, other research (secondary) Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  8. What are they? • Participant observation • Observation • Opinion polls • Interviews – structured and unstructured • Sampling – random ad non-random • Questionnaires / surveys – pilot studies, face to face, postal, internet, telephone • Longitudinal studies – panel, census, cohort • Case studies • Media • Focus groups • Official Statistics Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

  9. Researchers choose the methods most suitable for the subject they are dealing with and accept that all methods will have their advantages and disadvantages. Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods

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