Difference between Positivism and Interpretivism
Positivism
Positivism is recognized as philosophical theory that explains the association of knowledge with natural phenomenon and their characteristics. The term positivism is also termed as “scientific” approach that includes highly systemized and measureable methods that are dependent on the approaches used by the scientists in their research works .
Interpretivism
In contrast, interpretive is a method used in social science that is completely based on the assembling of qualitative data in which various techniques including observation of participants and interviews are utilized to gather the useful data and information. It is believed by the interpritivist that effective research is the only way to examine and interpret the human activities on mass level.
Meanings
Research problem: It discusses the particular area of concern that requires improvement or the elimination of that specific problem.
Research question: It is one of the initial step in the research process that demands answerable inquiry for any particular problem.
Hypothesis: It is manly an idea or description that is examined by the scientists through different studies and experiments.
Research objectives: The conclusion that the researcher seek after completing his research process is called research objective. The research objective needs to be clear and concise so that the researcher can easily examine the variables through it.
Features of Interprivitism
Subjective: In Interprivitism research, the data and facts are examined with biasness.
Detailed: The research process is conducted in detail and culture and living style of people are mainly focused.
Belief: It is believed that choices of individuals differs from each other and are not linked with the laws of science and nature.
Normative: The result is produced especially from norms and behavior of individuals.
Features of Positivism
Independent: The research observer is independent and part of that examination process.
Irrelevancy: The result of the research processes is irrelevant from the human interest
Explanation: The explanation of the research is in wide perspective that helps in the understanding of the situation.
Hypothesis and Deduction: The research process is followed through hypothesis and deduction.
“Identifying the level of participation of a student in physical activities”.
Do you use bicycle or walk for a market?
For how long you can continuously swim in water?
How long do you take to jog for the distance of 3 kilometers?
Which exercise do you mostly prefer in the morning?
What changes have you observed in your fitness after joining the martial arts?
What makes you like playing baseball every Sunday morning?
Do you prefer stairs or lift on a daily basis?
Structured Interview and Semi Structured Interview
Structured Interview
Structured Interview is the formal interview in which the interviewer plans the questions in advance and demands brief answers to his questions. The interviewer is authorized to select topic for the discussion and this type of interview is mostly conducted for predicting job performance of the candidate.
Semi structured Interview
On the other hand, the semi structured interview is more like a conversation which also constitute of pre-planned questions but the interviewee is been given liberty in his responses. The semi structured interview mostly includes open ended questions where the interviewee is required to answer in detailed. Semi structured interview are very similar to usual conversation due to which analyzing a candidate becomes difficult from this medium .
Advantages of Unobtrusive Method
Unobtrusive method is a research method that keeps the researcher away from intruding into the research context. Interviews and surveys that require the active participation of the participants sometimes do not provide genuine response to the researcher as the participant alters his behavior in front of the researcher. However, unobtrusive method is contrary to surveys and interviews in which researchers find indirect ways to attain essential data such as obituary or published statistics. Unobtrusive method is also beneficial in observing the person or object in its natural condition as the latter is unaware of being observed .
Definition
Population sample: A procedure of collecting division of subjects that represents a large population.
Sampling frame: It is list of objects or individuals that forms a population from which a sample is collected.Representative sample: A small amount of anything that exactly represents the larger body.
Random sampling: A technique in which sample is obtained from statistical population where every selected sample has a predetermined possibility of selection.
Systematic sampling: a method in which samples are chosen from greater population through random starting point and a fixed periodic interval.
Quota sampling: a method in which collected sample consist of similar proportion of people as the whole population according to their features.
Purposive sampling: a non- probability sample that is chosen on the bases of population’s characteristics and aim of the study.
The size of the sample needed for a survey is 81.
Freely-given Informed Consent in Research
The freely given informed consent explains that the right of participants to have complete and appropriate knowledge and information about the research that can help the participants to make sound decisions about their participation in that research process. it can be achieved by providing the detailed information about the research in a written format to the participant. The participants should be given enough time to think and also the right to share their decision with others .
Excel File Attached
Process of Thematic Analysis for Qualitative Research
Thematic analysis is mainly used in the qualitative research method and emphasizes on analyzing, pinpointing and recording patterns that are also known as themes. The themes are model across the data sets that are essential to the explanation of a phenomenon and are linked with the particular research questions. To execute the thematic analysis, the process of coding in six phases is generated to produce meaningful patterns. These six codes include adaptation with the data, producing initial codes, investigating theme among the codes, evaluation of themes, defining and naming themes, and generating the ultimate report .
References List
Lee, R.M., 2000. Unobtrusive methods in. Understanding Social Research, pp.1-16.
Rose, K., 1994. Unstructured and semi-structured interviewing. Nurse Researcher, 1(3), pp.23-30.
Schofield, B., 2014. Informed Consent In Research. The European Health Psychologist, 16(3), pp.101-06.
Thomas, J. & Harden, A., 2008. Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology.
