Strengths Weakness Preferred methodology
Reliable – The research is repeatable Validity – Realistic reflections/true depiction Questionnaires –
x x Objective, reliable &
Representative/Generalisations – All groups that could be Researcher imposition – Focus of research is from researcher’s easy
included are (make a generalisation from this) viewpoint
x x
Surveys – Easily
Value free – No personal views Demand characteristics (leading questions) – Phrasing of a
x interpretable, easy &
question, leading to a coerced answer
Objective – Measurement is non-bias x large sample size
Positivism
x Rapport – Relationship building
Macro – Top down approach (big study) x Structured interview –
x Interviewer bias – Personal opinions interfering with their Questions prepared
Patterns, trends and social fact – Statistics & predictability objectivity beforehand
x
Operationalisation – Taking an abstract concept (like class) and
making it measurable Official statistics –
x Published results
Quantitative – Numerical data/statistics
x Experiments –
Time and cost – Quick and cheap Controlled, structured
testing environments
Reliable – The research is repeatable Validity – Realistic reflections/true depiction Questionnaires –
x x Objective, reliable &
Representative/Generalisations – All groups that could be Researcher imposition – Focus of research is from researcher’s easy
included are (make a generalisation from this) viewpoint
x x
Surveys – Easily
Value free – No personal views Demand characteristics (leading questions) – Phrasing of a
x interpretable, easy &
question, leading to a coerced answer
Objective – Measurement is non-bias x large sample size
Positivism
x Rapport – Relationship building
Macro – Top down approach (big study) x Structured interview –
x Interviewer bias – Personal opinions interfering with their Questions prepared
Patterns, trends and social fact – Statistics & predictability objectivity beforehand
x
Operationalisation – Taking an abstract concept (like class) and
making it measurable Official statistics –
x Published results
Quantitative – Numerical data/statistics
x Experiments –
Time and cost – Quick and cheap Controlled, structured
testing environments
