Research Issues: The Theoretical, Practical And Ethical Considerations Influencing The Choice Of Topic, Choice Of Method(S) And Conduct Of Research. (Copy)

Positivism (Auguste Comte, Émile Durkheim)

Core Idea

• Research should be scientific, objective and controlled, so issues are managed to maximise reliability

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • Prefer quantitative methods → aim for objectivity and reliability
  • Research topic chosen to allow measurable variables
• Practical Considerations
  • Cost, time and access influence method choice
  • Large-scale surveys preferred due to efficiency
• Ethical Considerations
  • Importance of informed consent and avoiding harm
  • Ethics may limit use of experiments or covert methods
• Conduct of Research
  • Standardised procedures to reduce bias
• Application
  • Research decisions influenced by need for reliability, objectivity and feasibility

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course

Interpretivism (Max Weber)

Core Idea

• Research should prioritise validity and understanding meanings, even if practical and ethical challenges arise

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • Prefer qualitative methods → high validity
  • Topic chosen to explore meanings and experiences
• Practical Considerations
  • Time-consuming methods (e.g. observation) may limit sample size
  • Access to groups can be difficult
• Ethical Considerations
  • Building trust and maintaining confidentiality is essential
  • Covert research raises ethical concerns
• Conduct of Research
  • Flexible approach → researcher adapts to participants
• Application
  • Research decisions influenced by need for depth, meaning and participant understanding

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course

Functionalism (Émile Durkheim)

Core Idea

• Research should identify social patterns and maintain scientific credibility

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • Preference for quantitative methods
  • Focus on social facts and patterns
• Practical Considerations
  • Large data sets required → use of official statistics
• Ethical Considerations
  • Generally low ethical risk due to use of secondary data
• Conduct of Research
  • Structured and systematic
• Application
  • Research choices influenced by need to identify patterns and maintain objectivity

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course

Marxism (Karl Marx)

Core Idea

• Research should expose inequality and power structures, even if this creates challenges

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • Focus on class, power and inequality
  • Use mixed methods to reveal deeper structures
• Practical Considerations
  • Access to elite groups may be difficult
  • Funding sources may influence research
• Ethical Considerations
  • Research may challenge powerful groups
  • Ethical dilemmas in exposing exploitation
• Conduct of Research
  • Critical approach to data and institutions
• Application
  • Research decisions influenced by need to uncover inequality despite constraints

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course

Feminism (Ann Oakley)

Core Idea

• Research should prioritise ethics, equality and representation of women

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • Focus on gender inequality and women’s experiences
  • Preference for qualitative methods
• Practical Considerations
  • Gaining access to private/domestic settings can be difficult
• Ethical Considerations
  • Strong emphasis on informed consent, avoiding harm and building rapport
  • Reject exploitative research relationships
• Conduct of Research
  • Non-hierarchical relationship between researcher and participant
• Application
  • Research decisions influenced by ethics, empathy and reducing power imbalance

Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change AS Level Sociology Full Scale Course

Postmodernism (Jean Baudrillard)

Core Idea

• Research should reflect diversity, complexity and multiple perspectives

Application to Research Issues

• Theoretical Considerations
  • No single correct method → methodological pluralism
• Practical Considerations
  • Focus on specific groups or identities
• Ethical Considerations
  • Importance of representing diverse voices
• Conduct of Research
  • Flexible and open-ended approach
• Application
  • Research decisions influenced by need to capture diverse and fragmented realities

Key Synoptic Application

• Positivists → influenced by reliability, objectivity and practical feasibility
• Interpretivists → influenced by validity and understanding meanings
• Functionalists → influenced by need to identify social patterns
• Marxists → influenced by exposing inequality and power
• Feminists → influenced by ethics and representation
• Postmodernists → influenced by diversity and methodological flexibility