Download Revision: Theory and methods

Volume 24, Number 3, February 2015
Revision
Theory and methods
Joan Garrod
This exercise will provide you with a handy reference to aspects of theory and methods which
you can keep in your folder for when you start revision in earnest.
Below is a series of statements or questions. The first section is about theory, and the second is about
methods — although you will know that there are important links between the two. The idea is that you
write each item at the top of a separate sheet of paper, and file the pages in your folder. Fill in as
much as you are able to at the time, and then add to each page as you come across or remember
different points. At the end, you will have a useful ‘quick guide’ to help with your revision. There will be
another set of these in the online material for issue 4.
Theory
1. To what extent do the natural sciences use a ‘systematic method’ of gathering data and
testing hypotheses? (You could have two columns here, a ‘for’ and ‘against’, but remember to
note that not all ‘natural sciences’ use — or are able to use — the same methods.)
2. Is it possible for sociology to be a science? (Your two columns could be ‘yes’ and ‘no’, but
again you should note that not just science but sociology too differs in the methods used.)
3. How useful is the positivist approach to sociological research? (Outline what the positivist
approach is, then head your columns ‘useful’ and ‘problems’.)
4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the interactionist approach to the study of
society? (You should note a few important points about what the interactionist approach is,
then have two columns, for advantages and disadvantages.)
Methods
You will find it helpful to include at least three or four examples of research that has used the method
you are making notes on, so that you can refer to these (though not in huge detail) in an exam answer
on a particular method.
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using official statistics in sociological
research? (Start with a brief reminder about ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ statistics, then head your two
columns ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’.)
2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of structured interviews? (Make a note of what is
meant by structured interviews, and have two columns showing strengths and weaknesses.)
3. What is the usefulness of secondary data other than official statistics to sociological research?
(Start by listing as many other types of secondary data as you can think of, then head your
two columns ‘strengths’ and ‘weaknesses’.)
Philip Allan Updates © 2015
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4. List the factors that influence sociologists’ choice of method. (Here you will find it useful to use
the ‘PET’ typology, so have three columns, headed ‘practical’, ‘ethical’ and ‘theoretical’.)
Questions
Now try your hand at using some of this information to answer the following short-answer questions:
1. How useful are official statistics on crime to our understanding of the nature and extent of
crime in society?
2. What are the advantages of using personal diaries to explore the effects of poverty on
individuals and families?
This resource is part of SOCIOLOGY REVIEW , a magazine written for A-level students by subject experts.
To subscribe to the full magazine go to www.hoddereducation.co.uk/sociologyreview
Philip Allan Updates © 2015
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