| Positivism (Scientific) | Interpretivism (Humanistic) | | :--- | :--- | | Society is objective reality | Society is subjective meanings | | Use quantitative methods | Use qualitative methods | | Seek correlations & causes | Seek verstehen (empathic understanding) | | Questionnaires, structured interviews, experiments | Unstructured interviews, participant observation, documents |
: An individual's unique sense of self; who they believe they are.
: Always include a "Critique" section for every theory. For example, if noting the strengths of Functionalism, immediately follow it with the Marxist or Feminist counter-argument [5, 17]. Active Note-Taking Outline Method sociology 9699 notes
: Power is decentralized. Media output is driven by consumer demand. The market dictates content; audiences vote with their clicks and views. Media Representations
or modules (e.g., Family, Education, Media) for a particular paper? | Positivism (Scientific) | Interpretivism (Humanistic) | |
Mastering the syllabus requires a solid grasp of complex theories, meticulous research methods, and the structural dynamics of human societies. High-quality revision notes serve as an indispensable bridge between textbook concepts and top-tier exam performance.
: Define the main terminologies and state the central debate. For example, if the question is about age and identity, define age as a social construct and identity as self-understanding shaped by socialisation. Supporting Arguments : Provide at least three well-developed points Active Note-Taking Outline Method : Power is decentralized
Conflict theory; society is split into the ruling class (Bourgeoisie) and working class (Proletariat). Karl Marx, Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci