CMST 2B03 Study Guide - Final Guide: Polysemy, Systematic Sampling, Friedrich Nietzsche

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Communication Studies
• Course: CMST 2B03
• Professor: Philip Savage

Document Summary

Bryman and teavan- qualitative research usually emphasizes words rather than quantification in its data analysis. 4 aspects of qualitative research: word v numbers, constructionist (as key ontological position) Epistemology: social researchers base their work on a number of epistemological assumptions, answer the question of how knowledge is produced and what constitutes valid knowledge, two contrasting positions: Positivism- everything can be scientifically verified or has logical/mathematical proof. Interpretivism- the idea of interpreting elements of study and integrates human interest into a study. Requires social scientists to grasp the subjective meanings people attach to actions/behavior. Interpretivist approach: understanding the social worlds by examining the participants interpretations of their worlds, rejection of natural science approach to human understanding, emphasis on explanation of human action and empathetic understanding. Phenomenology: alfred schutz"s concern with how humans make sense of the world around them, subjective interpretation of the meanings of actions from the people"s point of view.