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Unit-18: Techniques and Methods of Qualitative Research

structural functional method follows certain set guidelines. these guidelines are essential for the notes
scientific analysis of a social event. These guidelines are-
(i) A social organization is comprised of several units.
(ii) every social unit does some function i.e none of the functional units are idle.
(iii) these different units are related and dependent upon each other due to their functions.
(iv) Due to functional relationships, these social units are tied mutually into a bond and therefore
function accordingly while being related.
(v) since different functional units work while being in a relationship, the social organization
or structure grows and develops.
(vi) thus the human requirements are met in accordance with the cultural values since the work
and situations of different units are regulated and affected by the cultural structure.
(vii) the stability and continuity of the society is dependent upon the different units.
In this way, the main objective of functional method is to find out the functional relations among
different functional units, do their analysis and represent them after properly understanding the social
organization. Probably, this is the reason that the method is also known as structural and functional
method.
(B) Qualitative Methods—these methods represent the intangible data based on qualitative terms.
1. Inductive and Deductive Method—there is immense contribution of earlier sociologists in
promoting the use of these methods in sociology. the truth is that these methods were used
considering the difficult and dynamic behaviour of social events. The description of these methods
is as follows-
(i) Inductive Method—in this method, based on some special data, the general rules are
determined. in this way, inductive method is that method which considers certain special
events of the society to frame general rules. this can be easily explained using the following
example- suppose , we observe in our everyday life that sohan, who is a human being, lives
in a group and satisfies his requirements with the help of others; Matru is also a human being
and satisfies his requirements with the help of others while being in a group. The same way
Harish also satisfies his requirements. From these special events, we frame a general rule
that human being is a social creature who satisfies his requirements with the help of others.
thus, this is induction and inductive method.

self assessment

fill in the blanks:
1. Using ___________ one can find the general reasons for growth start and end of different
organizations and beliefs of different societies.
2. While using comparative method, one should compile the data related to society in _________
way and weigh them against real examination-test.
3. in these kind of research oneself should keep distance from emotional, philosophical, excited
etc ___________ views so that the comparative work and the laws are free from any bias.

Merits or advantages

1. this method can be used to evaluate the truth-level of past rules.
2. this method yields more reliable and real results.

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