The Rashomon Effect
Combining Positivist and Interpretivist Approaches in the Analysis of contested events.
Roth W.D. & Mehta J.D.(2002)
Sociological Methods and Research, vol 31, no 2
The points made in this article are illustrated by two case studies both based on school shootings in the USA. Generational status , uncovered by the interpretivist approach was a hidden yet highly important data point. At the same time, good interpretivist work is informed by factual understanding in a broader context.
Case studies used to illustrate the value of
critical events
rare events
rare events
can cause problems for causal relationships , retrospective, often highly charged
contested events
in the context of combined ( positivist and interpretivist approach)
'can use the same data but treat the multiple and conflicting explanations of events as data points' - and then use these to evaluate what the nature of the dispute ( contested aspect) reveals
contested events
in the context of combined ( positivist and interpretivist approach)
'can use the same data but treat the multiple and conflicting explanations of events as data points' - and then use these to evaluate what the nature of the dispute ( contested aspect) reveals
'interpretivist analysis of the community helps us understand the actions of its members, it may enable us to use a positivist approach to answer questions about the causes of contested events'
problems for gathering accurate data - memory, vested interest, mistaken judgements can all bias positivist research -awareness of these problems is important. the respondent's 'world view' and 'values' is also a form of bias but in the interpretevist hands can be illuminating- understanding how an individual may uphold an interpretation of events that support a belief system.
privilege data that are less likely to be subject to known sources of bias
memory bias can be checked with any relevant written documentation of the event being researched.
contextually informed triangulation & interpretively informed triangulation
in positivist research
Consider the participant response in light of everything known about the source of their knowledge & triangulating among various respondents and sources are useful strategies to counteract or minimise the effect of biased responses . Use as many viewpoints as possible as a way of triangulating. Weight the information available from different sources.
In terms of a positivist approach ' find out not only what the respondent knows but how they know it' relationships can be a another source of bias.
interpretivist
conflicting responses collected from critical events provide key data points for interpretivists that can help us understand social meanings and underlying divisions in the communities that are studied. It all helps the analytical leverage.
balancing accounts from different participants and therefore perspectives.
combining positivism and interpretivist approach
using conflicting responses to factual questions ( positivist approach) can help uncover previously hidden social structures.
What were problems of data quality for the positivist become valuable data points for interpretivism.
combining a positivist and interpretivist approach
''possible to simultaneously accept that there is both a single objective truth of factual events and multiple subjective views'
positivist and interpretivist are not necessarily at odds
when managing data bias the key is to 'construct factual questions that limit people's abilities to pontificate or state opinions instead of facts'
an iterative approach between positivism and interpretivism is recommended. 'An understanding of the local webs of significance alters how positivist research is conducted; yet the positivist inquiry can also show us where those webs of significance lie'
- positivist - cause & effect
expected to lead to general laws
involves hypothesis testing
looks for explanatory power and parsimony
- Interpretivist
thick description helps to address questions of validity.
allow complex and nuanced understanding and can help to identify subgroups
a contested event as a cultural breach
'an atypical event that is controversial can serve as a breach of the social norms of a community' Sometimes this a used as a technique; simple social norms are sometimes violated so as to observe the reactions of the participants.
see Table 3 page 163
ref good for interplay between positivism and interpretivism
Newman, K.S. (1988) Falling from Grace: The Experience of downward mobility in the American middle class. New York: Free Press.
