Assess the relative importance of the different factors that affect sociologists' choice of research methods and of topics to investigate

There are different factors that influence sociologist's choice of research. Sociologists have to firstly decide what particular area or topic they want to study, in order for them to carry out their research. When sociologists choose a topic, there are two types of sources available to the sociologists, they are Primary and Secondary. Primary is the data collected by the researchers themselves, usually in the form of questionnaires or interviews. Secondary is the data that is already available e.g. official statistics, diaries, historical documents etc. The researcher then has to decide what type of method they will use for their research.

The topic chosen for research will indicate the method to be used e.g. voting would involve the use of large numbers of people, therefore quantitative methods would be used. Quantitative methods involve reliability and are more practical as they take less time, require less commitment from the researcher and are cheaper. Quantitative methods are mostly used by Positivists, as they like to compare and statistics. However, topics such as Bullying cannot be studied with quantitative methods. It would involve qualitative research, because it is a detailed topic, which allows a deeper, and a valid relationship. Qualitative methods involve validity because the researcher get involved in the research and tries to get "verstehen" which is empathy towards the researched people. Qualitative methods are more likely to be used by Interpretivists, who prefer to get in depth and truthful details.

Traditionally, a sociologist’s choice of research method depended on whether they subscribed to a positivist or interpretivist view of society.
Positivists believe that only science can provide the objective ‘truth’ or facts about the world.Positivist sociologists believe that human behaviour is determined by social forces beyond the control of society’s members. These forces are generally referred to as ‘laws’ or ‘social facts’. Positivists