Social Science for Postgraduate Study Week 6: Methodology. Grade A presentation.

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Learning outcomes this week 2 • Understand what is meant by methodology and methods; • Understand the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods; • Understand the li... nks to ontology and epistemology; • Explore the possibility of mixed methods research; • Apply the above to examples of social research.The module so far… • This module has been focused on different approaches to knowledge of the social world: – Positivism – Interpretivism – Feminist Standpoint Epistemology 3The module so far… • Therefore, we have been studying different epistemologies – what these approaches say about the kind of knowledge we can have of the world. • Some familiar distinctions: 4 One single, external reality Socially constructed, multiple realities Objective knowledge Subjective knowledge Facts values Universal Situated (context-specific)The next stage of research… • We have not examined the specific ways in which that knowledge is gained. • This week will introduce you to two new concepts: – Methodology – Methods • It is important to understand how these two are related, but also the differences between them. 5Methodology • Methodology is: – the explanation and justification of the methods used to gain knowledge for a research project; – the strategy a researcher uses to provide knowledge to answer a research question. • Methodologies should be judged by their ability to credibly (= believably) answer the research question. 6Research Methods • Methods: Techniques for collecting and analysing data for a research question. • 2 main types: 7 Quantitative Methods Qualitative Methods Aim to establish objective facts and theories through the collection and analysis of numerical / statistical data. Aim to understand the experiences and interpretations of social agents and situate (locate) them in context.Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 8 Feature Quantitative Qualitative Aim Collection / analysis of numerical data Find out individuals’ interpretations Focus Explanation Exploration Scale Large scale Small scale Scope General In-depth Examples • Surveys: • Questionnaires • Closed-ended interviews • Statistics • Open-ended interviews • Focus groups • Participant observation • Case studyMethodology and Methods • Important point: methodology focuses on the reasons for the choice of method, and so it should not be confused with the actual methods of research themselves. • Therefore: the methods we use to gain knowledge will be guided by the methodology. • Methodology also relates to the philosophical concepts of ontology and epistemology. 9Linking the Philosophical Concepts 10 O • Ontology • What exists? What is real? • Epistemology • What can we know about this reality? M • Methodology • How can we gain that knowledge? • Methods • Specific techniques used to collect / analyse dataLinking the Philosophical Concepts • As we know, people understand the world in different ways – they have different ontological perspectives • Fundamental ontological question: Do social entities (e.g. society, culture, class) exist objectively and independently of individuals OR Are social entities social constructions based on the subjective perceptions of individuals? 11Linking the Philosophical Concepts 12 Objectivist Ontology Reality exists independently of individuals Positivist Epistemology ‘Scientific’ knowledge of social phenomena Scientific Methodology Discovery and testing of scientific laws of social phenomena through observation Quantitative Methods Surveys, questionnaires, statistical analysis Subjectivist Ontology Reality is socially constructed Interpretive Epistemology Subjective meaning individuals attach to social behaviour Interpretive Methodology Exploration of interpretations in specific contexts Qualitative Methods Interviews, participant observationMethodology and Research Questions • The methodology (and therefore the methods) chosen will depend on the research question asked. – The questions we ask will be guided by our ontological perspective. – This will then guide the methodology we chose. • We will now look at some examples to show how this works in practice: – Crime – Religion 13Example: Crime Research Question 1: What is the effect of crime rates on business location? • Ontology: Objectivist • Epistemology: Positivist • Methodology: Scientific • Methods: Statistical analysis; survey 14Example: Crime • Research Question 2: How do residents of high crime rate areas perceive their environment? • Ontology: Subjectivist • Epistemology: Interpretive • Methodology: Interpretive – Ethnography • Methods: Participant observation, openended interviews 15Sociology of Religion Research Question 1: What is the relationship between rates of belief in a god and levels of violence in society? • Ontology: Objectivist • Epistemology: Positivist • Methodology: Scientific • Methods: Statistical analysis 16Sociology of Religion • Research Question 2: What does god, religious worship and prayer mean to people? • Ontology: Subjectivist • Epistemology: Interpretive • Methodology: Interpretive – Phenomenology • Methods: Open-ended interviews, focus groups 17Is it possible to combine methods? • Some social researchers have proposed and applied the combining of quantitative and qualitative research methods. • Other researchers claim that this is not possible on a philosophical basis. • We will now briefly examine: – arguments for and against this; – How combining methods could be done. 18Against Combining Methods • A|s we have seen throughout the module, ontology influences epistemology. • Earlier we saw how epistemology influences methodology and methods. • Therefore, the choice of research method shows a commitment to an epistemological position: – For example, participant observation is consistent with interpretivism, but not positivism. • This is called the ‘embedded methods’ argument. 19For Combining Methods • Researchers who support combining methods do not focus on the philosophical links. • Instead, they emphasise the technical usefulness of combining research methods for knowing and understanding social phenomena. • There is a focus on the strengths in data collection and data analysis that both quantitative and qualitative methods can bring to social research. • Let’s explore this further… 20Reasons for Combining Methods • Triangulation – Using more than one research method in the study of social phenomena. – This increases confidence in research findings. • Completeness • A more complete answer to a research question can be achieved by combining. • The gaps in knowledge left by a quantitative method can be filled by a qualitative method. 21Example of Combining Methods • Two-phase design: separate quantitative and qualitative phases. • Research Question: Does the American public think Barack Obama is doing a good job as President? • Phase 1 – Quantitative: large-scale, populationwide survey; • Phase 2 – Qualitative: focus groups and interviews to focus on particular social groups for more indepth information. 22Summary • Methodology = the explanation and justification of the methods used to gain knowledge for a research project. • Methods = Techniques for collecting and analysing data for a research question. – Quantitative and qualitative • Methodology does not mean the same as methods. 23Summary • The methodology and methods we chose will be influenced by the research questions we ask and therefore our ontological and epistemological perspective. • However, more recently some researchers have used a mixed-methods research strategy – Combining quantitative and qualitative research methods. 24 [Show More]

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