Saturday, September 11, 2010
Meaning Hidden by Numbers
In the book Gang Leader for a Day, the difference between quantitative data and qualitative data is very clearly portrayed. Using quantitative data, such as taking mass surveys, is often times useful, but sometimes simply using data can hide the deeper issues. In the book using a survey was obvioulsy not the best way to go about studying how black and poor people felt about their lives. Sometimes a good sociologist has to get closer to the study and actually observe. Often times its is hard to realize an issue and understand it unless you experience it. Therefore, a good sociologist must live the study as opposed to just study it, just like the character in the book does. This strategy is similar to situations that happen in every day life. I know it happens to me a lot. Somebody will tell me something and I will say, I know whay you are saying, but I wont actually understand it. Then the same thing will happen to me and I will grasp it so much better. It is very important to experience things to be able to understand them proberly.
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I agree that some things you have to experience to understand, like understanding someones lifestyle. But then sometimes its easier to understand using quantitative data. But i think the best way to collect it is using both because you get more than one persons opinion yet also your own.
ReplyDeleteI agree that for a lot of things, you need to experience first hand to fully understand it. I also agree with Kelsey's comment that the best way to understand something is to use both sets of data
ReplyDeleteI agree to fully understand ones position you have to walk in their shoes. You will never truly know why someone does the things they do or behave the way they doe until you live their experiences.
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