POSITIVISM METHODS

General Principles There are social laws and social facts to be uncovered through the scientific research of the objective researcher Once data is shown to be reliable (repeatable) it becomes a social fact Favour methods which generate quantitative data – can be measured Key concepts – reliability, falsification, representativeness

The Main Methods preferred by Positivists Surveys, questionnaires, structured interviews, longitudinal studies, cross sectional surveys

Surveys and Questionnaires Incorporate standardised questions from which generalisations can be drawn – ideal for a large sample frame to maximise representativeness Positivists prefer closed questions TASK – Using the revision guides and packs list and learn the advantages and disadvantages of surveys and questionnaires

Longitudinal Studies Surveys over a long time frame. E.G the 7 up survey Good for studying changing attitudes or behaviour over time – takes a snapshot of people at several key points in their life course, Changes can be plotted described and evaluated – causes established and hypotheses built TASK – Using the revision guides and packs list and learn the advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal surveys

Experiments In an experiment the variables are closely controlled so the effect of independent variables can be closely studied Very common in natural science but less common in social science with a few exceptions e.g. Bandura's Bobo doll experiment

Field Experiments Used more frequently by social scientists and involve experiments in real life where the researcher seeks to manipulate a social situation to uncover the beliefs and attitudes behind behaviours. E.G Rosenthal and Jacobsen The Pygmalion Effect 1968 TASK – Using the revision guides and packs list and learn the advantages and disadvantages of experiments and field experiments in social science

Secondary Data Positivists also favour the use of quantitative secondary data such as official statistics