Types of Data, Positivism & Interpretivism | Sociology for A Level - Year 13 PDF Download

Types of Data

Quantitative and Qualitative Methods of Research

Type of Research
Social research serves various purposes, and these objectives shape the selection of research methods. Some methods involve experiments to test hypotheses, producing quantitative data, while others focus on observing social life to develop new theories, typically yielding qualitative data. Researchers may use primary or secondary data, or a combination of both.

Methodology: Methodology encompasses the techniques used to gather data and the philosophical principles guiding the creation of sociological data.

Quantitative Data: Quantitative data is numerical in nature. For example, it includes statistics such as the number of males and females passing an exam.

Qualitative Data: Qualitative data consists of non-numerical information, such as field notes, diary entries, photographs, recorded music, or radio programs.

Primary Sources

• Both qualitative and quantitative data can be collected from primary or secondary sources. 
• Primary sources are data generated directly by a researcher through methods like experiments, questionnaires, or interviews.

Secondary Sources: Secondary sources involve existing data produced by others, such as government statistics or the results of experiments conducted by other researchers.

Methodological Pluralism and Triangulation

In practice, researchers often employ multiple methods to collect diverse types of data, whether qualitative or quantitative.

Methodological Pluralism
Methodological pluralism refers to the use of various methods and data types within a single research study.

Triangulation

• Triangulation involves using multiple methods and data types to verify the validity and reliability of results obtained from one method. 
• For instance, qualitative unstructured interviews might be used to validate responses from a quantitative survey.

Positivism and Interpretivism

Sociologists are generally divided into two groups based on their preferred approach to studying society: positivist or interpretivist. These perspectives shape their choice of research methods.

Positivism

Positivism holds that there are objective ‘social facts’ that can be investigated using methods akin to those in natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, or biology. Positivist approaches generate quantitative data to identify social patterns and trends, which are used to explain societal dynamics.

Research Methods

Positivist research methods include:

• Laboratory experiments.
• The comparative method.
• Social surveys.
• Structured questionnaires.
• Formal/structured interviews.
• Non-participant observation.
• Official statistics.
• Content analysis.

Interpretivism
Interpretivism emphasizes that individuals are aware of their own beliefs, meanings, values, and interpretations, which shape their actions and behaviors.

Interpretivist Research
From an interpretivist viewpoint, researchers aim to deeply understand how individuals perceive and interpret the world by empathizing with their perspectives and experiences.

Research Methods
Interpretivists employ qualitative methods to explore social phenomena, including:

• Uncontrolled field experiments.
• Open-ended questionnaires.
• Unstructured interviews.
• Overt and covert participant and non-participant observation.
• Personal accounts, such as diaries and letters.