Research Method Concepts

Question 1

Define qualitative data

Answer 1

• data that is textual

Question 2

Define quantitative data

Answer 2

• data that is numerical

Question 3

Define primary data

Answer 3

• firsthand data that is collected by sociologists for the purpose of that specific piece of research

Question 4

Define secondary data

Answer 4

• data that is already collected and available to the sociologists

Question 5

Define validity

Answer 5

• refers to the research giving a true and accurate picture of what is being studied

Question 6

Define reliability

Answer 6

• refers to the extent of which if we were to repeat the method it would produce the same or similar results

Question 7

Define representativeness

Answer 7

• refers to the extent to which the sample selected is a fair reflection of the target population

Question 8

Define generalisability

Answer 8

• refers to the ability to make claims about the wider target population from the research findings

Question 9

Define pilot studies

Answer 9

• small scale studies that are a practice run for the main research