Methods of research
Candidates will examine the different research methods and types of data used in sociological research, exploring the strengths and limitations of these.
They will look at the process of designing research, and at key ideas for assessing the value of different research methods.
Candidates will examine questions such as whether sociology can and should be based on the natural sciences.
Candidates will examine the different research methods and types of data used in sociological research, exploring the strengths and limitations of these.
They will look at the process of designing research, and at key ideas for assessing the value of different research methods.
Candidates will examine questions such as whether sociology can and should be based on the natural sciences.
2.1 Types of data, methods and research design
• The differences between primary and secondary sources of data and between quantitative and qualitative data.
• The strengths and limitations of different secondary sources of data, including official statistics, personal documents, digital content and media sources.
• The strengths and limitations of different quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and content analysis.
• The strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methods, including overt and covert participant and non-participant observation, unstructured interviews, semi-structured interviews and group interviews.
• Stages of research design, including deciding on research strategy, formulating research questions and hypotheses, sampling frames, sampling techniques, pilot studies, operationalisation, conducting research and interpreting results.
• The differences between primary and secondary sources of data and between quantitative and qualitative data.
• The strengths and limitations of different secondary sources of data, including official statistics, personal documents, digital content and media sources.
• The strengths and limitations of different quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and content analysis.
• The strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methods, including overt and covert participant and non-participant observation, unstructured interviews, semi-structured interviews and group interviews.
• Stages of research design, including deciding on research strategy, formulating research questions and hypotheses, sampling frames, sampling techniques, pilot studies, operationalisation, conducting research and interpreting results.
• The differences between primary and secondary sources of data and between quantitative and qualitative data.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/17/primary-and-secondary-sources-of-data/: Useful definitions.
https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/research-methods/primary-data-collection/what-primary-data: Intro to primary data.
https://revisesociology.com/2017/04/24/the-strengths-and-limitations-of-secondary-data/: Outline of secondary data.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/01/quantitative-sources/: Outline of quantitative methods of research.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/17/qualitative-sources/: Outline of qualitative methods of research.
https://revisesociology.com/2015/12/21/secondary-qualitative-data-analysis-sociology/: Outline of qualitative methods of research.
https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-secondary-data: Wide ranging evaluation of primary and secondary data.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/17/primary-and-secondary-sources-of-data/: Useful definitions.
https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/research-methods/primary-data-collection/what-primary-data: Intro to primary data.
https://revisesociology.com/2017/04/24/the-strengths-and-limitations-of-secondary-data/: Outline of secondary data.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/01/quantitative-sources/: Outline of quantitative methods of research.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/12/17/qualitative-sources/: Outline of qualitative methods of research.
https://revisesociology.com/2015/12/21/secondary-qualitative-data-analysis-sociology/: Outline of qualitative methods of research.
https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-secondary-data: Wide ranging evaluation of primary and secondary data.
• Stages of research design, including deciding on research strategy, formulating research questions and hypotheses, sampling frames, sampling techniques, pilot studies, operationalisation, conducting research and interpreting results.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-research-process/: Excellent outline, including videos and exercises.
https://www.coursehero.com/sg/introduction-to-sociology/research-process-in-sociology/: From quantitative and qualitative approaches
https://revisesociology.com/2016/02/02/stages-social-research/: From idea to publication.
https://www.studyandexam.com/research-steps.html: Nice clear bullet-pointed summary.
https://www.thoughtco.com/sampling-designs-used-in-sociology-3026562: Clear intro to sampling methods
https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/research-methods/primary-data-collection/sampling: Types of sampling.
Video on Sampling in Sociology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh8QD0-Wuag (13 mins)
https://www.sociologygroup.com/pilot-study-research-examples/: Outline of pilot studies.
https://www.thoughtco.com/pilot-study-3026449: Evaluation of Pilot Studies
Research Methods in Sociology: What you need to know:
• The strengths and limitations of different secondary sources of data, including official statistics, personal documents, digital content and media sources.
• The strengths and limitations of different quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and content analysis.
• The strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methods, including overt and covert participant and non-participant observation, unstructured interviews, semi-structured interviews and group interviews.
• The use of approaches drawing on different research methods, including case studies, social surveys, ethnography and longitudinal studies.
• The strengths and limitations of different secondary sources of data, including official statistics, personal documents, digital content and media sources.
• The strengths and limitations of different quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments and content analysis.
• The strengths and limitations of different qualitative research methods, including overt and covert participant and non-participant observation, unstructured interviews, semi-structured interviews and group interviews.
• The use of approaches drawing on different research methods, including case studies, social surveys, ethnography and longitudinal studies.
Official Statistics:
Brief introduction: https://sociologytwynham.com/2015/01/07/official-statistics-2/
Brief introduction: https://revisesociology.com/2015/12/22/official-statistics-sociology/
Revision Flashcards: https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/sociology-official-statistics/deck/17372769
Useful set of notes, inc evaluation: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methos.pdf
Video:
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/research-methods-official-statistics (5 mins)
Census video: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/household-composition-census-2021-aqa-a-level-sociology-update
Case Study: Durkheim on Suicide
Overview: https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/crime-and-the-effects-of-crime/revise-it/introduction-to-suicide
Useful slides: file:///C:/Users/jba/Downloads/Durkheim1.pdf
Fuller outline: https://ukdiss.com/examples/emile-durkheim-suicide-theory-evaluation.php
Brief introduction: https://sociologytwynham.com/2015/01/07/official-statistics-2/
Brief introduction: https://revisesociology.com/2015/12/22/official-statistics-sociology/
Revision Flashcards: https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/sociology-official-statistics/deck/17372769
Useful set of notes, inc evaluation: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methos.pdf
Video:
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/research-methods-official-statistics (5 mins)
Census video: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/household-composition-census-2021-aqa-a-level-sociology-update
Case Study: Durkheim on Suicide
Overview: https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/crime-and-the-effects-of-crime/revise-it/introduction-to-suicide
Useful slides: file:///C:/Users/jba/Downloads/Durkheim1.pdf
Fuller outline: https://ukdiss.com/examples/emile-durkheim-suicide-theory-evaluation.php
Experiments:
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/13/experiments-in-sociology/: Intro to experiments https://revisesociology.com/category/research-methods/: Outline of Lab experiments (inc Milgram)
https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html: Milgram experiement.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/17/field-experiments-sociology/: Field experiments (inc Rosenthal & Jacobson)
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Experiments-In-Sociology.pdf: Excellent set of notes and activities on experiments in Sociology
https://www.sociologystuff.com/download/9ed15ef8-5f7a-11e9-af7d-85ead3705b86/: Nice set of notes on field experiments
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-fHNY-VgmM&feature=emb_rel_pause (7 mins)
Case Study: Rosenthal & Jacobson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion_effect: Outline
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/59c1/4fab51544dc9c5ec4e56c5a962346859c06a.pdf: Part of the original study
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/13/experiments-in-sociology/: Intro to experiments https://revisesociology.com/category/research-methods/: Outline of Lab experiments (inc Milgram)
https://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html: Milgram experiement.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/17/field-experiments-sociology/: Field experiments (inc Rosenthal & Jacobson)
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Experiments-In-Sociology.pdf: Excellent set of notes and activities on experiments in Sociology
https://www.sociologystuff.com/download/9ed15ef8-5f7a-11e9-af7d-85ead3705b86/: Nice set of notes on field experiments
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-fHNY-VgmM&feature=emb_rel_pause (7 mins)
Case Study: Rosenthal & Jacobson:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmalion_effect: Outline
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/59c1/4fab51544dc9c5ec4e56c5a962346859c06a.pdf: Part of the original study
Observation and Participant Observation:
https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/research-methods/primary-data-collection/observational-studies: Clear overview
http://www.drcath.net/toolkit/observational-studies: Strong outline of the range of observational approaches.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/03/31/participant-observation-strengths-limitations/: Excellent overview of Participant Observation
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/mpoprint.pdf: Detailed set of notes on Participant Observation.
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/crime-and-deviance/participant-observation-and-crime/: Review of studies using Participant Observation.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGXdorYr4Bg&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
Case Study: Sudhir Venkatesh:
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methods_gl4ad.pdf : Excellent summary of SV’s work
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/feb/15/culture.features: Interview with SV
https://www.npr.org/2008/02/05/18593528/sudhir-venkatesh-becomes-gang-leader-for-a-day?t=1596456211279: Podcast with SV (1 hour)
Video of SV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnww3ZNPymM (5 mins)
https://revisionworld.com/a2-level-level-revision/sociology/research-methods/primary-data-collection/observational-studies: Clear overview
http://www.drcath.net/toolkit/observational-studies: Strong outline of the range of observational approaches.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/03/31/participant-observation-strengths-limitations/: Excellent overview of Participant Observation
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/mpoprint.pdf: Detailed set of notes on Participant Observation.
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/crime-and-deviance/participant-observation-and-crime/: Review of studies using Participant Observation.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGXdorYr4Bg&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
Case Study: Sudhir Venkatesh:
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methods_gl4ad.pdf : Excellent summary of SV’s work
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2008/feb/15/culture.features: Interview with SV
https://www.npr.org/2008/02/05/18593528/sudhir-venkatesh-becomes-gang-leader-for-a-day?t=1596456211279: Podcast with SV (1 hour)
Video of SV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnww3ZNPymM (5 mins)
Questionnaires and Social Surveys:
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/11/29/questionnaires/: Clear introduction to questionnaires.
https://revisesociology.com/tag/questionnaires/: Overview of surveys.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-research-methods/: Overview of surveys and questionnaires.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Questionnaire: How to create questionnaires.
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/social-research-2/techniques/the-questionnaire-techniques-social-research-sociology/13424: Detailed overview of questionnaires.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/11/social-surveys-advantages-and-disadvantages/: Full evaluation.
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methodq.pdf: Detailed notes.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F52ZnlUCzfk&feature=emb_rel_pause (7 mins)
Case Study: Callendar and Jackson:
http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/21010/2/Does_the_fear_of_debt_deter_students_from_higher_education_(LSERO).pdf: Summary of the paper
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248963133_Does_the_Fear_of_Debt_Constrain_Choice_of_University_and_Subject_of_Study/link/540dd4ee0cf2f2b29a3a383c/download: Full paper. See p411-414.
https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/11/29/questionnaires/: Clear introduction to questionnaires.
https://revisesociology.com/tag/questionnaires/: Overview of surveys.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/alamo-sociology/chapter/reading-research-methods/: Overview of surveys and questionnaires.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Questionnaire: How to create questionnaires.
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/social-research-2/techniques/the-questionnaire-techniques-social-research-sociology/13424: Detailed overview of questionnaires.
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/11/social-surveys-advantages-and-disadvantages/: Full evaluation.
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methodq.pdf: Detailed notes.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F52ZnlUCzfk&feature=emb_rel_pause (7 mins)
Case Study: Callendar and Jackson:
http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/21010/2/Does_the_fear_of_debt_deter_students_from_higher_education_(LSERO).pdf: Summary of the paper
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248963133_Does_the_Fear_of_Debt_Constrain_Choice_of_University_and_Subject_of_Study/link/540dd4ee0cf2f2b29a3a383c/download: Full paper. See p411-414.
Structured Interviews, Semi-Structured Interviews, Unstructured Interviews, Group Interviews:
https://www.thoughtco.com/in-depth-interview-3026535: Clear introduction
https://www.sociologygroup.com/sociological-interview-the-process-of-interview-methodology-and-types/: Overview inc Video
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/23/interviews-in-social-research-advantages-and-disadvantages/: Excellent overview.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-oldwestbury-sociological-inquiry/chapter/interviews-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches/: Detailed discussion for those who want a challenge.
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/research-methods-in-sociology/feminism-and-unstructured-interviews/: Feminists and the interview method.
https://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU19.html: Focus/group interviews.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P4nURgH43A&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
Case Study: Arlie Hochschild
https://www.enotes.com/topics/second-shift/analysis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Shift
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/08/06/the-second-shift-at-25-q-a-with-arlie-hochschild/: Interview with Hochschild
https://books.google.es/books?id=hk1dDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA245&lpg=PA245&dq=the+second+shift+arlie+hochschild+intensive+interview&source=bl&ots=0h-gjA5jNT&sig=ACfU3U3KQjVyLtOlw8NW-jTxcBq-g8GZ0Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5vrX6kP_qAhUrAGMBHcN_Bmk4KBDoATAJegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=the%20second%20shift%20arlie%20hochschild%20intensive%20interview&f=false: Don’t be put off by the size of the url, it is one page of excellent summary.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzE6zYkEQY (5 mins)
https://www.thoughtco.com/in-depth-interview-3026535: Clear introduction
https://www.sociologygroup.com/sociological-interview-the-process-of-interview-methodology-and-types/: Overview inc Video
https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/23/interviews-in-social-research-advantages-and-disadvantages/: Excellent overview.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-oldwestbury-sociological-inquiry/chapter/interviews-qualitative-and-quantitative-approaches/: Detailed discussion for those who want a challenge.
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/research-methods-in-sociology/feminism-and-unstructured-interviews/: Feminists and the interview method.
https://sru.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SRU19.html: Focus/group interviews.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P4nURgH43A&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
Case Study: Arlie Hochschild
https://www.enotes.com/topics/second-shift/analysis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Second_Shift
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/wp/2014/08/06/the-second-shift-at-25-q-a-with-arlie-hochschild/: Interview with Hochschild
https://books.google.es/books?id=hk1dDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA245&lpg=PA245&dq=the+second+shift+arlie+hochschild+intensive+interview&source=bl&ots=0h-gjA5jNT&sig=ACfU3U3KQjVyLtOlw8NW-jTxcBq-g8GZ0Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5vrX6kP_qAhUrAGMBHcN_Bmk4KBDoATAJegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=the%20second%20shift%20arlie%20hochschild%20intensive%20interview&f=false: Don’t be put off by the size of the url, it is one page of excellent summary.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvzE6zYkEQY (5 mins)
2.2 Approaches to sociological research
• The use of approaches drawing on different research methods, including case studies, social surveys, ethnography and longitudinal studies.
Personal Documents & Historical Records:
https://sociologytwynham.com/2015/01/08/personal-documents/: Easy intro
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/methods/revise-it/secondary-data
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/social-science/social-research-social-science/documentary-sources-of-data-data-collection-social-research/13214: Full outline
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L6jzpWSUpM&feature=emb_rel_pause (5 mins)
• The use of approaches drawing on different research methods, including case studies, social surveys, ethnography and longitudinal studies.
Personal Documents & Historical Records:
https://sociologytwynham.com/2015/01/08/personal-documents/: Easy intro
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/methods/revise-it/secondary-data
https://www.sociologydiscussion.com/social-science/social-research-social-science/documentary-sources-of-data-data-collection-social-research/13214: Full outline
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L6jzpWSUpM&feature=emb_rel_pause (5 mins)
Case Studies:
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/topics/case-study: Introduction.
https://www.thoughtco.com/case-study-definition-3026125: Useful outline.
http://what-when-how.com/sociology/case-studies/: Full explanation.
Case Study: John Howard Griffin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me: Key details
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/oct/27/black-like-me-john-howard-griffin: Review of the study.
https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/blacklikeme/summary/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3_PbqQlmxk (11 mins)
Longitudinal Studies:
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/research-methods-in-sociology/longitudinal-studies/: Clear introduction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitudinal_study: Introduction with referenced examples.
https://www.thoughtco.com/cohort-effect-definition-4582483: Uses the term Cohort Study
https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/longitudinal_studies: Brief evaluation.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhkpbf15T-8 (1 min)
Case Study: 7 Up
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(film_series): Great outline of the TV study
https://www.businessinsider.com/seven-up-7-observations-on-epic-documentary-series-2013-10?IR=T: Review of the study.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jun/04/63-up-review-documentary-marvel-makes-all-other-reality-tv-look-trivial: Review of the study.
https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sociology/research-methods-in-sociology/longitudinal-studies/: Clear introduction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitudinal_study: Introduction with referenced examples.
https://www.thoughtco.com/cohort-effect-definition-4582483: Uses the term Cohort Study
https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/longitudinal_studies: Brief evaluation.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhkpbf15T-8 (1 min)
Case Study: 7 Up
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_(film_series): Great outline of the TV study
https://www.businessinsider.com/seven-up-7-observations-on-epic-documentary-series-2013-10?IR=T: Review of the study.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/jun/04/63-up-review-documentary-marvel-makes-all-other-reality-tv-look-trivial: Review of the study.
Ethnography:
https://www.thoughtco.com/ethnography-definition-3026313: Good, all round explanation.
https://arliehochschild.wordpress.com/: Hochschild’s study of conservatives in Louisiana.
http://news.mit.edu/2017/sociologist-arlie-hochschild-discusses-us-political-divisions-0410: Interview with Hochschild about her study of Louisiana.
https://www.vox.com/2016/9/6/12803636/arlie-hochschild-strangers-land-louisiana-trump: Interview with Hochschild about her study of Louisiana. Note the question about ‘deep story’.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/nyregion/sudhir-venkatesh-columbias-gang-scholar-lives-on-the-edge.html: Review of Venkatesh’s ethnographic career.
Video introduction: https://www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/themes/ethnographic-methods/ethnography-in-sociology/ (30 mins but just watch the first few minutes. You’ll learn loads!)
Case Study: Lisa McKenzie
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/lisa-mckenzie-who-would-be-working-class-woman-academia#: The experience of being an ethnographer.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jan/21/estate-working-class-problem-st-anns-nottingham: Interview with McKenzie.
https://www.theoryculturesociety.org/interview-with-lisa-mckenzie-on-getting-by-estates-class-and-culture-in-austerity-britain/: Note the points about inside/outsider status.
https://www.thoughtco.com/ethnography-definition-3026313: Good, all round explanation.
https://arliehochschild.wordpress.com/: Hochschild’s study of conservatives in Louisiana.
http://news.mit.edu/2017/sociologist-arlie-hochschild-discusses-us-political-divisions-0410: Interview with Hochschild about her study of Louisiana.
https://www.vox.com/2016/9/6/12803636/arlie-hochschild-strangers-land-louisiana-trump: Interview with Hochschild about her study of Louisiana. Note the question about ‘deep story’.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/nyregion/sudhir-venkatesh-columbias-gang-scholar-lives-on-the-edge.html: Review of Venkatesh’s ethnographic career.
Video introduction: https://www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/themes/ethnographic-methods/ethnography-in-sociology/ (30 mins but just watch the first few minutes. You’ll learn loads!)
Case Study: Lisa McKenzie
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/lisa-mckenzie-who-would-be-working-class-woman-academia#: The experience of being an ethnographer.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jan/21/estate-working-class-problem-st-anns-nottingham: Interview with McKenzie.
https://www.theoryculturesociety.org/interview-with-lisa-mckenzie-on-getting-by-estates-class-and-culture-in-austerity-britain/: Note the points about inside/outsider status.
• The mixed methods approach to research, including triangulation and methodological pluralism.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_triangulation_of_data_in_qualitative_research_Is_it_a_method_of_validating_the_information_collected_through_various_methods: A range of researchers give their views on triangulation.
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/triangulation.pdf: All you need to know!
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_triangulation_of_data_in_qualitative_research_Is_it_a_method_of_validating_the_information_collected_through_various_methods: A range of researchers give their views on triangulation.
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/triangulation.pdf: All you need to know!
• The positivist approach, with reference to scientific method, objectivity, reliability and value-freedom.
https://revisesociology.com/2015/05/19/positivism-sociology-social-research/
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/positivism
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methsci2.pdf: Extremely detailed, written for full A level students.
Video on Positivism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuZ1nrS2TM&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
• The interpretivist approach, with reference to verstehen, meaning, subjectivity and validity.
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/interpretivism
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/topics/verstehen: Definition of verstehen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verstehen: Fuller outline of verstehen
Video on Interpretivism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnCvYJlpcX0&feature=emb_rel_pause (5mins)
Positivism vs Interpretivism
https://revisesociology.com/2015/05/18/positivism-interpretivism-sociology/: Useful table comparisons
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Positivism-v-Interpretism.pdf: Pretty much all you need to outline on the 2 approaches.
https://revisesociology.com/2015/05/19/positivism-sociology-social-research/
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/positivism
http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methsci2.pdf: Extremely detailed, written for full A level students.
Video on Positivism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZuZ1nrS2TM&feature=emb_rel_pause (6 mins)
• The interpretivist approach, with reference to verstehen, meaning, subjectivity and validity.
https://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/sociology/theoretical-standpoints/revise-it/interpretivism
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/topics/verstehen: Definition of verstehen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verstehen: Fuller outline of verstehen
Video on Interpretivism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnCvYJlpcX0&feature=emb_rel_pause (5mins)
Positivism vs Interpretivism
https://revisesociology.com/2015/05/18/positivism-interpretivism-sociology/: Useful table comparisons
https://www.shortcutstv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Positivism-v-Interpretism.pdf: Pretty much all you need to outline on the 2 approaches.
• The debates about whether sociology can/should be based on the methods and procedures of the natural sciences and the role of values in sociological research.
A useful outline of the debate: https://hecticteachersalevelsociologysite.wordpress.com/6-theory-and-methods/debates-in-sociology/sociology-as-a-science/
A nice up-to-date summary of the debate:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/revisesociology.com/2017/01/15/is-sociology-a-science/amp/
Video: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/is-sociology-a-science (9 mins)
Full Livesey chapter: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methsci2.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiepIatwaDrAhVxx4UKHfvqC3AQFjARegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw09TdfZKlWpl8WYvHR66QuD
Revision notes: https://getrevising.co.uk/revision-notes/sociology_and_science_2
A useful outline of the debate: https://hecticteachersalevelsociologysite.wordpress.com/6-theory-and-methods/debates-in-sociology/sociology-as-a-science/
A nice up-to-date summary of the debate:
https://www.google.com/amp/s/revisesociology.com/2017/01/15/is-sociology-a-science/amp/
Video: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/is-sociology-a-science (9 mins)
Full Livesey chapter: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methsci2.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiepIatwaDrAhVxx4UKHfvqC3AQFjARegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw09TdfZKlWpl8WYvHR66QuD
Revision notes: https://getrevising.co.uk/revision-notes/sociology_and_science_2
2.3 Research issues
• The theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing the choice of topic, choice of method(s) and conduct of research.
• How research findings may be biased by the actions and values of the sociologist and by choices made in funding, designing and conducting the research.
• Validity, reliability, objectivity, representativeness and ethics as important concepts in assessing the value of different research methods.
• The theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing the choice of topic, choice of method(s) and conduct of research.
• How research findings may be biased by the actions and values of the sociologist and by choices made in funding, designing and conducting the research.
• Validity, reliability, objectivity, representativeness and ethics as important concepts in assessing the value of different research methods.
Image source: @Mr_Hewitson
• The Theoretical, Practical and Ethical considerations influencing the choice of topic, choice of method(s) and conduct of research.
A clear summary of the key arguments: https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/05/factors-affecting-choice-of-research-methods/
Detailed but clear outline of the main arguments: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/revgrm6.pdf
Videos:
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/practical-ethical-and-theoretical-issues-in-sociological-research (9mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUwfMrn5V40 (12 mins)
• The Theoretical, Practical and Ethical considerations influencing the choice of topic, choice of method(s) and conduct of research.
A clear summary of the key arguments: https://revisesociology.com/2016/01/05/factors-affecting-choice-of-research-methods/
Detailed but clear outline of the main arguments: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/revgrm6.pdf
Videos:
https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/practical-ethical-and-theoretical-issues-in-sociological-research (9mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUwfMrn5V40 (12 mins)
• How research findings may be biased by the actions and values of the sociologist and by choices made in funding, designing and conducting the research.
A useful introduction: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/sociology-and-values
A clear outline: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/115932233291/sociology-and-values
The theoretical differences in the debate: https://revisesociology.com/2016/05/29/sociology-value-freedom/
A full, detailed set of notes: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methvf.pdf
A useful introduction: https://www.tutor2u.net/sociology/reference/sociology-and-values
A clear outline: https://revise-sociology-aqa.tumblr.com/post/115932233291/sociology-and-values
The theoretical differences in the debate: https://revisesociology.com/2016/05/29/sociology-value-freedom/
A full, detailed set of notes: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methvf.pdf
• Validity, reliability, objectivity, representativeness and ethics as important concepts in assessing the value of different research methods.
Glossary of key terms: https://revisesociology.com/2016/08/01/methods-words/
Intro to reliability: https://www.thoughtco.com/reliability-definition-3026520
Outline of reliability: https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/11/28/reliability/
Internal and external validity: https://www.thoughtco.com/validity-definition-3026737
All you need to know: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methrvt.pdf
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwY7hv5LykI (5 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fK1ClycBTM (9 mins)
Glossary of key terms: https://revisesociology.com/2016/08/01/methods-words/
Intro to reliability: https://www.thoughtco.com/reliability-definition-3026520
Outline of reliability: https://sociologytwynham.com/2014/11/28/reliability/
Internal and external validity: https://www.thoughtco.com/validity-definition-3026737
All you need to know: http://www.sociology.org.uk/notes/methrvt.pdf
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwY7hv5LykI (5 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fK1ClycBTM (9 mins)