From macro to micro methods of research?

What principles characterise macro or qualitative approaches to research?Before we move on to discuss the micro approach, we need to look at factors that can influence the method(s) used in a study

Factors that can influence the choice of research method(s) are:Time and [inevitably] money.Access to data/people.Situational constraints i.e. the knowledge & expertise of the researcher Any previous research [and its findings].

Other factors that can influence the choice of method(s) are The phenomena at hand it may lend itself to a particular method. [As seen by Durkheims study on suicide] the theoretical persuasion of the researcher can play a major role.Another influence can be the epistemological approach of the researcher:

Epistemological assumptions. Epistemology is the nature of knowledgePositivists argue that human behaviour can be understood via observable social condition and explained scientifically.This is an epistemological belief in the truth and applicability of science.

Epistemological assumptions. An Interpretivist or phenomonological view would argue against this epistemological assumption and argue that: Human behaviour cannot be predicted with certainty. People might react differently to the same circumstance on a different occasion- not everyone facing the same set of circumstance will necessarily act or respond in the same way. Qualitative researchers attempt to understand the meaning and motives of social action, this is their goal - of understanding why people act the way that they do.

Qualitative epistemologyMicro approaches adopt an epistemological approach which therefore prefers personal [in-depth] understanding as opposed to science.We will move on to apply these principles to actual research:

Durkheims Rules of Sociological Method

Emile Durkheims Rules of Sociological Method, set out approaches to social phenomena and how to study them.Le Suicide, researched the phenomena of suicide. Durkheims aim being to prove that even the most individualistic action could be correlated to society [and social influences].

Durkheims Rules of Sociological Method However his approach and findings have been heavily criticised for not interrogating the statistics supplied by the different countries from around Europe. If we were to follow Durkheims lead in carrying out research (relying on empirical qualitative data): would this be an effective way of researching a respondents emotions and their subjective view on the issue?

Participant Observation: A micro [qualitative] approach to research

Weber advocated the concept of Verstehen that is where one would attempt to become closely attached to the subjects of study, in an attempt to begin to understand how these individuals interpret things that are around him. One develops an Empathy.

Participant Observation:This approach is what is termed as an ethnographic approach to research.It entails becoming part of the group that you are studying [usually for at least 6 months]To become immersed into the culture of the group in order to directly experience it is the goal.

Participant Observation:P.O. can be carried out either overtly or covertly.Problems with covert method is it really ethical to deceive people?

Studies Laud Humphreys Tearoom Trade adopted a covert approach in researching male sexual activities in public toilets. Paul Willis adopted an overt approach in Learning to Labour. He studied a small male group of students in a Birmingham Comprehensive. The problems with this research was gaining entry into the institution, it took six months of discussion with the headmaster before he could gain entry.

Participant Observation - Advantages.Social behaviour is in its natural setting.Offers the chance for small scale detailed research.Gives validity to the meanings that actors attach to their actions.Constructs the world according to the actors norms \ values \ language.

Participant Observation - Disadvantages.Researcher becomes too involved and a poor observer. [Going native]As the study group is not representative generalisations are not possible. (Bothered?)Recording information is problematic.Is it ethical - arguably the research is unethical if :the sociologist misrepresents their identity to gain information.The sociologist breaks confidence.The research has negative consequences for those being studied.

Participant Observation - Disadvantages.It may be physically dangerous for the observer.It may take a long time to get in, stay in, get out.The observers presence will change group dynamics + therefore behaviour.

Questionnaires

And onto Questionnaires

Questionnaire/interview techniques [macro & micro]Structured questionnaire/interview:Consists of succinct generally closed questions easily quantifiable responses to produce statistics.Examples of closed type questions?

Semi-structured interviewThis interview approach combines elements of both closed questions and open questions: Open questions are used to generate more in-depth discussion.Examples of open-type questions?

In-depth or unstructured interview:As opposed to using stringently defined questions, in this approach the researcher will have themes to be discussed.The idea behind this is to get as deep an insight as possible into the personal views/experiences of the respondent.E.G. Dobash & Dobash on domestic violence:Which of the interview techniques is quantitative or qualitative?

Triangulation: Incorporating both macro & micro approaches in research

Triangulation is the notion and practice of using both elements of research in a study.

Triangulation

Ways in which triangulation can be useful: Firstly qualitative and quantitative data can be compared and checked against one another to reach a confirmed conclusion. Secondly, each approach can be used together to gain a more in depth complete picture.

Triangulation

Eileen Barker study of the unification Church (otherwise known as the Moonies) used participant observation, questionnaires along with interviews. She said this as the reasoning of her combining the methods: to see how the movement as a whole was organised and how it influenced the day to day actions and interaction of its members.

Conclusion?Different theoretical approaches tend to be sympathetic to different types of methods.The process of triangulation attempts to incorporate both aspects of quantitative and qualitative.