Social research strategies: quantitative research and qualitative research
What is a ‘grand theory’?
One that was proposed by one of the major theorists in the sociological tradition
One that is highly abstract and makes broad generalizations about the social world
An intermediate level explanation of observed regularities
A particularly satisfactory theory that makes the researcher feel happy
One that is highly abstract and makes broad generalizations about the social world
The importance of ‘theory’, of whatever type in social research, is predominantly for us to understand more clearly how we look upon the world. Then we can begin to understand how the world might seem different if we used another theory. A theory just means an explanation of things, how they come to be the way they are. We elaborate on the definition to show how close to the immediate day-to-day world we are attempting to come in our research. However, when we discuss our research with others, we need to stand back a bit more from our own focus in order to be able to understand that of another. In other words, we abstract further from the immediate, concrete circumstances. A ‘grand theory’ gets its name from its ability to cover a multitude, making broad generalizations about the world we live in. Unfortunately, too much so to be directly useful for us to formulate our own research objectives. For that, we need at least to come down to the level suggested by answer (c).
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 18
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 18
One that is highly abstract and makes broad generalizations about the social world The importance of ‘theory’, of whatever type in social research, is predominantly for us to understand more clearly how we look upon the world. Then we can begin to understand how the world might seem different if we used another theory. A theory just means an explanation of things, how they come to be the way they are. We elaborate on the definition to show how close to the immediate day-to-day world we are attempting to come in our research. However, when we discuss our research with others, we need to stand back a bit more from our own focus in order to be able to understand that of another. In other words, we abstract further from the immediate, concrete circumstances. A ‘grand theory’ gets its name from its ability to cover a multitude, making broad generalizations about the world we live in. Unfortunately, too much so to be directly useful for us to formulate our own research objectives. For that, we need at least to come down to the level suggested by answer (c).
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 18
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 18
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The qualitative research strategy places a value on:A. Using numbers, measurements and statistical techniques
B. Generating theories through inductive research about social meanings
C. Conducting research that is of a very high quality
D. All of the above
The constructionist ontological position suggests that:
A. Social phenomena and their meanings are constantly being accomplished by social actors
B. Individuals are born into a world of rules and structures that they cannot change
C. Building and construction work presents an ideal opportunity to exercise the sociological imagination
D. Social facts and objects have an external reality, independently of the people who perceive them
What is the epistemological position held by a positivist?
A. There is no substitute for an in-depth, hermeneutic understanding of society
B. Scientific research should be based on value-free, empirical observations
C. Events and discourses in the social world prevent us from having direct knowledge of the natural order
D. It is important to remain optimistic about our research, even when things go wrong
Which of the following is an ontological question?
A. Should I use questionnaires or interviews in my project?
B. What can (and should) be considered acceptable forms of knowledge?
C. How long is it since I last visited the dentist?
D. Do social entities have an objective reality, external to social actors?
What does an empiricist believe?
A. We should not apply natural science methods to social science research
B. It is the sociologist’s aim to understand the meaning of social action
C. Knowledge, in the form of ‘facts’, should be gained through sensory experience
D. Research conducted within the British empire was biased and unreliable
Which of the following is an example of value-free research?
A. Conscious partiality
B. Sympathy for the underdog
C. Unstructured interviewing
D. None of the above
An inductive theory is one that:
A. Involves testing an explicitly defined hypothesis
B. Does not allow for findings to feed back into the stock of knowledge
C. Uses quantitative methods whenever possible
D. Allows theory to emerge out of the data
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