Advanced Higher Modern Studies Research Methods Research Methods.

Advanced Higher Modern Studies 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 Mostly consists of using statistical data which

can verified using the comparative method


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


Primary Data

Surveys, questionnaires Formal, structured interviews Case studies Informal, unstructured interviews Participant observation Government statistics


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


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)


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)


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


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 Research Methods.

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