1.9 Approaches in social sciences | Quantitative methods | Origins of Science | UvA

Summary

The development of the scientific method expanded from natural sciences to social sciences in the late 19th century, introducing debates between objectivism and constructivism. Objectivism suggests that social phenomena exist independently, while constructivism views them as influenced by observers and context. Interpretivist perspectives like hermeneutics, phenomenology, and Verstehen emphasize understanding social phenomena from the viewpoint of those experiencing them. However, challenges include layered interpretation and lack of comparability. While constructivism leans toward qualitative research, objectivism aligns with quantitative methods, yet mixed-method approaches are gaining popularity for comprehensive understanding.

Takeaways

• 🔬 The scientific method initially focused on natural sciences like physics, astronomy, and biology, but social sciences emerged in the late 19th century.
• 🌍 Realism assumes that the physical world exists independently of our thoughts, and positivism asserts that knowledge can be gained through observation and experimentation.
• 🧠 Objectivism applies realism to social and psychological phenomena, suggesting that properties like intelligence and social cohesion are external and independent of perception.
• 🧩 Constructivism contrasts objectivism by asserting that social realities are subjective and shaped by social actors, with properties like happiness or femininity depending on cultural and historical context.
• 👀 Interpretivism aligns with constructivism and holds that researchers must understand social phenomena from the perspective of the people involved, not just through observation.
• 📖 Hermeneutics, an interpretivist view, emphasizes interpreting people's behavior within their social context to understand their actions.
• 💡 Phenomenology focuses on understanding the meaning individuals attach to their experiences and requires researchers to eliminate their own preconceptions.
• 🤝 Verstehen, linked to Max Weber, stresses empathetic understanding of social phenomena by adopting the perspective of research subjects.
• ⚠️ Challenges with interpretivism include the risk of misinterpretation through multiple layers, lack of comparability between cultural contexts, and difficulty in assuming the subject’s point of view.
• 📊 Constructivist interpretivism is generally qualitative, while objectivist positivism is quantitative, but both methods can be combined for a mixed-methods approach to research.

Q & A

What was the focus of the scientific method before the rise of the social sciences?

The focus of the scientific method before the rise of the social sciences was mainly on the natural sciences, including physics, astronomy, and biology.

How did the ontological view of realism influence scientific thinking in the 19th century?

The ontological view of realism, which assumes that the physical world is real and exists independently of our thoughts, led to a more positivistic approach in science. This meant scientists believed they could gain true knowledge about the world through observation and experimentation.

What is objectivism in the context of social and psychological phenomena?

Objectivism is the view that psychological and social phenomena, such as intelligence and social cohesion, are external, independent properties that exist separately from our mental representations of them.

How does constructivism differ from objectivism in understanding social phenomena?

Constructivism holds that social phenomena are not external and unchanging but rather mental constructions dependent on the observer and their social context. This contrasts with objectivism, which views these phenomena as independent of individual perception.

What is interpretivism, and how does it relate to constructivism?

Interpretivism is a set of views that align with constructivism, emphasizing the importance of understanding social phenomena from the perspective of those involved. It suggests that the meaning of social reality is subjective and context-dependent.

What is the core idea of hermeneutics in social research?

Hermeneutics aims to explain social phenomena by interpreting people's behavior within their social context, focusing on how individuals perceive the world to understand their actions.

How does phenomenology approach the study of social phenomena?

Phenomenology seeks to understand how people experience the world by investigating the meanings they attach to their experiences, emphasizing the subjective nature of reality.

What is the concept of 'Verstehen' in sociology, and how does it apply to research?

'Verstehen,' associated with sociologist Max Weber, refers to the empathetic understanding of social phenomena. Researchers immerse themselves in the subjects' perspectives to better interpret their actions within their social context.

What are the main challenges of the constructivist-interpretivist approach to social science research?

Key challenges include layered interpretation, where multiple layers of interpretation can lead to misinterpretation; lack of comparability of outcomes, as subjective experiences may vary across cultures; and the difficulty of assuming the research subjects' point of view, which may lead to incomplete understanding of the social context.

How do qualitative and quantitative methods differ in their approach to social science research?

Qualitative methods, often associated with the constructivist view, focus on unstructured observations, interviews, and in-depth analysis of a few subjects, while quantitative methods, aligned with the objectivist view, involve measuring and aggregating data from many subjects for statistical analysis. Both approaches have strengths and are increasingly used together in mixed-methods research.