Theory and Methods
What is Theory & Methods?
Theory & Methods looks at:
How sociologists study society
Different research methods
Debates about science and objectivity
Theoretical perspectives on society
It combines:
1. Theory = ways of explaining society
2. Methods = ways of researching society
1. Positivism vs Interpretivism
This is the biggest debate in sociology.
Positivism Interpretivism
Scientific approach Understand meanings
Quantitative methods Qualitative methods
Objective facts Subjective experiences
Reliability important Validity important
, Positivism
Key ideas:
Society should be studied scientifically
Human behaviour follows patterns
Use quantitative data
Preferred methods:
Questionnaires
Official statistics
Structured interviews
Key theorists:
Auguste Comte
Émile Durkheim
Strengths:
Reliable
Representative
Allows comparisons
Criticisms:
Humans are not like scientific objects
Ignores meanings and emotions
Interpretivism
Key ideas:
Sociology should understand meanings
Humans attach interpretations to actions
What is Theory & Methods?
Theory & Methods looks at:
How sociologists study society
Different research methods
Debates about science and objectivity
Theoretical perspectives on society
It combines:
1. Theory = ways of explaining society
2. Methods = ways of researching society
1. Positivism vs Interpretivism
This is the biggest debate in sociology.
Positivism Interpretivism
Scientific approach Understand meanings
Quantitative methods Qualitative methods
Objective facts Subjective experiences
Reliability important Validity important
, Positivism
Key ideas:
Society should be studied scientifically
Human behaviour follows patterns
Use quantitative data
Preferred methods:
Questionnaires
Official statistics
Structured interviews
Key theorists:
Auguste Comte
Émile Durkheim
Strengths:
Reliable
Representative
Allows comparisons
Criticisms:
Humans are not like scientific objects
Ignores meanings and emotions
Interpretivism
Key ideas:
Sociology should understand meanings
Humans attach interpretations to actions
