Research Considerations

Question 1

Research Considerations Overview

Answer 1

Sociologists must consider practical, ethical, and theoretical issues (PET).

Also need to consider: reliability, generalisability, validity.

Question 2

Key Concepts

Answer 2

Reliability: Can results be replicated by other researchers?

Generalisability: Can findings be applied to similar groups?

Validity: Does the method give a genuine picture of what is being studied?

Qualitative → high validity, lower reliability

Question 3

Practical Issues

Answer 3

-Time and funding constraints
-Access to the group or location
-Researcher’s skills and characteristics
-Availability of existing data
-Career goals, deadlines, and publication needs

Question 4

Ethical Issues

Answer 4

-Avoid harm to participants and researcher
-Avoid deception
-Gain informed consent
-Respect privacy, interests, and anonymity

Question 5

Theoretical Issues

Answer 5

-Perspective (Functionalist, Marxist, Feminist) affects topic choice
-Approach (Positivist vs Interpretivist) affects method choice

Question 6

Theory & Methods: Positivists

Answer 6

Positivists:
-Sociology = science
-Use laboratory experiments, official statistics
-High reliability and objectivity

Question 7

Theory & Methods: Marxists & Functionalists

Answer 7

Marxists & Functionalists:

Often use positivist methods to promote societal progress

Question 8

Theory & Methods:
Interpretivists & Feminists

Answer 8

Interpretivists & Feminists:
-Study individuals and personal experiences
-Methods: unstructured interviews, participant observation
-Focus on high validity and understanding verstehen

Question 9

Theory & Methods: Action Theories

Answer 9

Action Theories:
-Use interpretivist approaches
-Emphasise validity and understanding social meaning