Post on 14-Jan-2016
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods
Research Methods
Advanced Higher Modern Studies 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 Mostly consists of using statistical data which
can verified using the comparative method
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods
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
Primary Data
Surveys, questionnaires Formal, structured interviews Case studies Informal, unstructured interviews Participant observation Government statistics
Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods
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
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
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
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
Researchers choose the methods most suitable for the subject they are dealing with and accept that all methods will have their advantages and disadvantages.