Methodology (just theories) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Methodology (just theories) - Essay Example It provides an appropriate insight to study a particular phenomena and the method of data collection required for the study. The philosophy behind a research guides the researcher about various aspects of producing valid knowledge. ["A" level sociology A resource based learning approach, n. d] The three trends of philosophy involved in sociological research methodologies are Positivism, Realism and Interpretivism. Positivism mainly deals with proposing natural laws based on observation. [Samuel- Ojo, 2005]. Realism states that whatever appears to be real to an individual is a consequence of one's behavior. ["A" level sociology A resource based learning approach, n. d]. Interpretivism is mainly based on idealism that the various phenomena occurring in the world are interpreted through mind. [Interpretivism, n. d] The research philosophy of positivism mainly prevailed in the nineteenth and the twentieth century. This concept is most popular in the field of natural science. The origin of this ideology evolved due to the study of various phenomena in the world through human knowledge rather than dogma of religion. In order to attain fact about a particular aspect of study, observations are made related to that field of study. This methodology of research through observation is called empirism. Therefore, positivism developed based on certainty and universal explanations about particular phenomena. [Samuel- Ojo, 2005]. The major strengths of positivism are that the knowledge attained through this methodology is certain since it is not based on any speculations. It provides a logical end to any research. Contrary to this, since ideology of positivism mainly deals with observations it rules out the existence of unobservable phenomena or occurrences. [Rusbult, 1997] Realism is a research philosophy that "seeks to understand, the existence of an external and objective reality that influences people's social interpretations and behaviors but which may not be perceptible to them. It recognizes that people themselves are not objects to be studied in the style of natural science. "[Glossary, n. d]. Realism believes that phenomena can occur in spite of not observing its occurrence. It also believes that an object has certain properties associated with it that are independent of theoretical conceptions. These are some of the major strengths of realism. One major drawback of this research philosophy is that it is based on plausible doctrines rather than knowledge based on facts. The knowledge attained through this philosophy is skeptical and not certain since it is based on unobservable. [Boyd, 2002] Interpretive research philosophy states that the social world cannot be described without understanding the experience of the people and gives importance to human actions. This ideology produces scientific accounts of social life depending on the concepts and inferences drawn by the people. It generates theories based on the descriptions and experiences of people. Hence, this ideology is purely based on the understanding of the people about a particular concept and its interpretation by the researcher. It provides an in depth understanding of the blind beliefs and practices of daily life. There are structured procedures followed to understand the perception and beliefs of the people abo