Transcript Positivism, interpretivism, feminism - literacy focusx

Interpretivist Vs Positivist
Methodology
By the end of the lesson…
• ALL of you will have on understanding of the key
features of positivist, interpretivist and feminist
approaches to methodology.
• MOST of you will be able to think critically about
each of these approaches and identify strengths
and weaknesses.
• SOME of you will critically consider all impacts
on a sociologists choice of method.
What can you remember from
Year 12?
POSITIVIST
Primary data
collection
Secondary
data
collection
INTERPRETIVIST
Can you remember
the correct spelling of
some of the key
methodological terms
you learnt in Y12?
Spelling Test!
Spelling test answers
1. Reliable
2. Representativeness
3. Validity
4. Quantitative
5. Qualitative
6. Interpretivist
7. Positivist
8. Verstehen
9. Questionnaire
10. Replicability
Focus on vocabulary
Three tiers of vocabulary:
• Tier 1 - vocabulary that is used
commonly at home and does
not need to be taught.
• Tier 2 - vocabulary that is
frequently used in academic
written texts across different
disciplines
• Tier 3 – subject specific
vocabulary
Positivism – Tier 3
vocabulary
Write a paragraph to summarise the positivist
methodological approach.
Use at least 6 of the following key terms:
oHypothesis
oHypothetico-deductive
oEmpirical
oQuantitative
oMacro
oStandardised
oReliable
oRepresentative
More challenging!
Can you improve the
Tier 2 vocabulary in
your paragraph?
Examples of Tier 2 vocabulary
Approach
Derive
Distribute
Correspond
Adjacent
Alternate
Variable
Acquire
Conduct
Contribute
Coordinate
Sequence
Parallel
React
Exclude
Proportion
Approximate
Predict
Emerge
Contrast
Retain
Impose
Concentrate
Capacity
Think about how these words (and their derivatives)
could be used in a variety of contexts.
Quick Questions on Positivism
1. Which sociological theories are usually
associated with positivism?
2. How do positivists view society?
3. Outline three criticisms interpretivists would
level at positivism.
What is your view on the positivist approach to
sociological research? Why?
Positivist Methodology – key features
Interpretivism - Slow writing
activity
Write a summary of the interpretivist
methodological approach:
1. Your first sentence must be a question.
2. Your second sentence must be 3 words
exactly.
3. Your third sentence must begin with
‘Although’.
4. Your fourth sentence must be 22 words
exactly.
5. Your final sentence must begin with an
adverb (__ly).
Additional Challenge – include the following
tier 3 vocab: grounded theory, inductive
Quick Questions on Interpretivism
1. Which sociological theories are usually
associated with interpretivism?
2. How do interpretivists view society?
3. Outline three criticisms positivists would
level at interpretivism.
What is your view on the positivist approach to
sociological research? Why?
A2 Sociological Methods - Interpretivist Methodology
Feminist methodology
Positivism: male bias and
malestream methods
Feminist researchers have been critical of
quantitative research for several reasons:
1. It ignored and excluded women and issues of
concern to women.
Mies (1983) argues much positivist research has a
masculine bias, and produces a male view of social
life. For example, ‘work’ tends to focus on paid
employment and ignores unpaid work in the home.
2. It simply treated women as appendages or
insignificant extensions of men.
For example, Stanley and Wise (1993) suggest
the findings from research on men are
generalised to women.
3. It uses ‘malestream methods’ to research the
experiences of women.
Westmarland (2001) cites the conduct of positivist
structured interviews as an example of a
malestream method. These are conducted with
distance and detachment and researchers do not
reveal their feelings or views.
Oakley (1981) considers such methods as based on
power relationships which she sees as a key feature
of malestream sociology. She argues that such
approaches contradict the aims of feminist research,
which are concerned with encouraging women to
share their experiences.
Feminists regard many positivist approaches as
like smash-and-grab raids, where researchers
burst upon the scene, grab the information they
want from their victims, offer nothing in
exchange, and then move onto their next victim!
Feminism and interpretivism
Feminists have generally
been more sympathetic to the
use of interpretivist methods.
Feminism and interpretivism
Feminists emphasise:
oVerstehen
oOpen-ended, informal methods associated
with interpretivists
oValid, in-depth accounts of women’s lives
How does Oakley’s study into motherhood
illustrate this approach?
The feminist perspective and
value commitment
Not all feminists regard positivist
research methods as
inappropriate….
1. How does Westmarland (2001)
suggest that positivist
approaches may be useful?
2. What does Kelly (1992)
suggest is more important than
the method used in feminist
research?
Task: Write an evaluative paragraph
about the feminist approach to research.
Make your point – clearly link it to the area
you are writing about.
‘Feminists have a distinct approach to
sociological research’
Explain your point and provide evidence
to support it.
‘For example…..’ ‘This view is supported
by…’
Evaluate – point out a strength of your
argument and any weaknesses.
‘A clear strength of this methodological
approach is’ ‘However, a major criticism of
this approach is…’
Link back.
‘Overall, the evidence suggests that…’
Some ideas for your Sociology essays….
Putting your ideas in the right
order
Firstly, then, so far, secondly,
in the end, at last, next, eventually,
afterwards
LINKING WORDS
AND PHRASES
Essay endings
In brief, in summary, ultimately,
in all, on the whole, to sum up,
finally, to conclude
Comparing and contrasting
Being evaluative
An alternative theory to... was
developed by...who stated that.....
A major criticism of this view is....
A major weakness of the theory is....
Whereas this view focuses on... an
alternative view explores....
Although the theory is supported by a
variety of evidence, certain evidence
contradicts the theory…
A different explanation of.... has been
offered by...
A major strength of the theory is....
Making points and giving
examples
Arguing and making points
 consequently, so, as a result,
because, therefore, since, until
Giving examples
 for example, for instance, such
as, as shown by
Making a contrast or showing what is
different
 but, nevertheless, however, despite this,
yet, instead, whereas, although, on the other
hand
Comparing things or showing what is the
same
 equally, in the same way, as with,
similarly, compared with/to
Making extra points or ideas
 and, too, what is more, also,
furthermore, again, moreover, as
well as, in addition
Emphasising points
 above all, in particular, in fact,
more importantly, especially,
indeed
Supporting links
Further evidence supports the view that....
In addition... supports the view that....
In support of the view that... (a theorist) also
believes that....
Increasing support for this view is….
Further weight can be given to this argument
by….
Is theory all that
affects a
researcher’s
choice of method?
Is theory all that affects methods?
And what about triangulation and
methodological pluralism?
Discussion questions
1. Outline two ways in which sources of
funding might influence research.
2. Outline two ways in which personal
characteristics and skills of the researcher
may influence the research.
3. List three practical issues that may affect a
researchers choice of topic.
4. Outline three ethical factors that might
influence a researcher’s choice of research
method.
*NEW* Tier 3 vocabulary this
lesson
Hypothetico-deductive model
Inductive approach
Grounded theory
Malestream method
5 - 1 Summary
Write 5 lines about what you have learnt
in the lesson today.
BUT your first line has to have 5 words,
the second 4 words, then 3, then 2, then 1.
Exemplar Exam Questions
Outline and explain two advantages of using
quantitative data in sociological research. (10
marks)
Outline and explain two reasons why positivist
research may not provide a valid understanding
of society. (10 marks)