Sociology > Research methods > Flashcards

Research methods Flashcards

(108 cards)

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1
Q

Positivism

Positivism

A

Believes sociology should be studied like a natural science, using objective methods to uncover social laws and patterns. Takes a macro approach

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2
Q

Positivism

Postitivism- research methods

A
  • Quantitative methods
  • Surveys
  • Official statistics
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3
Q

Positivism

Positivism- Strengths

A
  • Objectivity
  • Reliability
  • Identifies social trends
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4
Q

Positivism

Positivism- weaknesses

A
  • No rapport
  • Only quantitative
  • Lack depth and explanation
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5
Q

Interpretivism

Interpretivism

A

Human behaviour is complex and cannot be studies like the natural sciences, focuses on understanding meanings and experiences. Takes a micro approach

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6
Q

Interpretivism

Interpretivism- research methods

A
  • Qualitative methods
  • Unstructured interviews
  • Participent observation
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7
Q

Interpretivism

Interpretivism- strengths

A
  • In depth data
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8
Q

Interpretivism

Interpretivism- weaknesses

A
  • Low reliability
  • Small scale
  • Subjective
  • Time-consuming
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9
Q

GROVER

Generalisability

A

General statements and conclusions that apply not to the sample sudied but also to the general population

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10
Q

GROVER

Representative

A

A representative sample that reflects the characteristics of its population

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11
Q

GROVER

Objectivity

A

Absence of bias and the removal of opinions and values

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12
Q

GROVER

Validity

A

Findings are truthful and authentic

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13
Q

GROVER

Ethics

A

Morally acceptable research which protects the rights and wellbeing of research participants

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14
Q

GROVER

Reliability

A

The consistency of research findings- the same or consistent findings can be obtainted if the method is repeated

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15
Q

Data types

Primary data

A

Data collected by yourself

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16
Q

Data types

Secondary data

A

Data collected by someone else that you use

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17
Q

Data types

Quantitative data

A

Data in numerical form

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18
Q

Data types

Qualitative data

A

Data which includes words

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19
Q

Research process

Practical factors

A
  • Cost
  • Time available
  • Subject matter of the research
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20
Q

Research process

BSA rules

A
  • Legality or imorality
  • Informed consent
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Protection from harm
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21
Q

Research process

Bias

A

Results influenced by the researchers personal opinions, including political prejudice

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22
Q

Research process

Research aim

A

General focus on the study

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23
Q

Research process

Hypothosis

A

Testable statement predicting an outcome

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24
Q

Research process

Operationalisation

A

Breaking down the aims/ hypothesis into something thst can be measured

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25
# Research process Pilot studies
Small scale trial run to test research design and fix issuess before the main study
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Respondent validation
Sociologist's interpretation of data is checked with thoes that took part to ensure that datta collected is accurate and fairly interpreted
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# Sampling methods Population
A group of people who are at the focus of the researchers interest
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# Sampling methods Sample frame
Group of people who take part in the research, sample is drawn from the research population
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# Demand characteristics Demand characteristics
When a participant changes their characteristics because they know they are being watched
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# Demand characteristics Screw you effect
Participant guesses the conclusions
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# Demand characteristics Social desireability
When a particiant acts in a way deemed good by society rather than how they actually would
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# Demand characteristics Hawthorne effect
Participent guessesthe conclusions the researcher wants to draw and acts/ responds in a certain way
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# Sampling methods- random Random sampling
Everyone has an equal chance of selection
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# Sampling methods- random Random sampling- positives
- Fair and unbias - Good for large populations - Representative
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# Sampling methods- random Random sampling- negatives
- May not reflect population diversity - Can be impractical for large groups - Could be costly and time consuming
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# Sampling methods- non-random Quota samplin- negatives
- Researcher bias as participents are chosen - Not random - Can be unreresentative
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# Sampling methods- random Random sampling- negatives
- May not reflect population diversity - Can be impractical - May be costly and take time
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# Sampling methods- random Systematic sampling- positives
- Reduces bias - Simple and quick - Representative
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# Sampling methods- random Systematic sampling
Every nth person
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# Sampling methods- random Systematic sampling- negatives
- Potential for bias - Could be unrepresentative # - Not suitable for all populations
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# Sampling methods- random Stratified sampling
Population divided into groups and sampled proportionally
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# Sampling methods- random Stratified sampling- positives
- More representative - Ensures key groups are included - Allows for the comparison of different groups
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# Sampling methods- non-random Quota sampling- positives
- Representative - Less time consuming - Simple
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# Sampling methods- non-random Quota sampling
Researcher selects participents to match population proportions
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# Sampling methods- non-random Snowball sampling
Participents recruit others
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# Sampling methods- non-random Snowball sampling- positives
- Good to hard to reach groups - Can provide detailed insights - Low cost
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# Sampling methods- non-random Snowball sampling- negatives
- Highly unrepresentative - Not objective - Hard to generalise
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# Sampling methods- non-random Opportunity sampling- positives
- Quick and convientent - Low cost - Useful for pilot studies
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# Sampling methods- non-random Opportunity sampling
Using people who are readily available
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# Sampling methods- non-random Opportunity sampling- negatives
- Highly unrepresentative - Not objective - Hard to generalise
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# Sampling methods- non-random Non-random sampling
Deliberatly targating specific groups rather than randomly selecting a sample from the general population
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# Sampling methods- non-random Non-random sampling- positives
- Cost effective - Time efficient - Targets specific groups of people
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# Sampling methods- non-random Non-random sampling- negatives
- Researcher bias - May not be generalisable - May not be reliable
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# Sampling methods- non-random Purposive sampling
Researcher chooses individuals or cases that fit the nature of the research
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# Sampling methods- non-random Perposive sampling- positives
- Data collection is targated - Efficent - Flexible
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# Sampling methods- non-random Purposive sampling- negatives
- Limited generalisability - Researcher bias - May not be reliable
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# Sampling methods- non-random Volunteer sampling
Sociologists advertise for research volunteers and participents self select
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# Sampling methods- non-random Volunteer sampling- advantages
- Cost efficent - Wide sample frame - Good for hard to reach groups
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# Sampling methods- non-random volunteer sampling- negatives
- May not be representative - Limited generalisability - Potential for bias
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# Surveys Longitutional surveys
Studying the same group of people over a long period of time
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# Surveys Questionaires
List of questions written down in advance that are given to the respondent, could be online or in person
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# Surveys Questionairs- positives
- Large sample size making results more generalisable - Cost effective - Reliable
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# Surveys Questionairs- negatives
- Low response rates - Social desirability - Lacks depth
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# Interviews Structured interviews
Standardised questions asked face to face or over the phone
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# Interviews Structured interviews- positives
- Easy to compare - Quick to conduct - Large sample possibility
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# Interviews Structured interviews- negatives
- Lacks depth - Researcher bias - May not reflect true opinions
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# Interviews Semi-structured interviews
Balance between unstructured and structured interviews, allows for flexibility while mantaining focus
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# Interviews Unstructured interviews
Informal open ended conversations for in depth understanding
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# Interviews Semi-structure interviews- positives
- Rich in qualitative data - Adaptable - Builds a rapport
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# Observations Observations
Researcher watches participants in real-life setting
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# Interviews Group interviews- positives
- Observation of group dynamics - Wide pool of candidates - Allows for comparison
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# Interviews Group interviews- negatives
- Limited individual assessment - Difficulty recording and analysing - Social desirability bias
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# Ethnography Ethnography
Involves the researcher inserting themselves into the natural setting of the social group being studied and participating in and observing their daily activities
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# Interviews Unstructured interviews- positives
- High validity - Builds a rapport - Flexible
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# Interviews Semi-structured interviews- negatives
- Time consuming to analyse - Potential for bias - Subjective
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# Interviews Unstructured interviews- negatives
- Time-consuming - Hard to replicate and compare - Risk of interviewer bias
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# Interviews Group interviews
Multiple candidates are interviewed simultaneously
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# Ethnography Ethnography- positives
- Detailed data - Hollistic observation - Contextual understanding
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# Ethnography Ethnography- negatives
- Time consuming - Not necessarily generalisable - Ethical considerations
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# Observations Observations- positives
- High validity - Rich detailed data - Useful for studying groups in depth
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# Observations Non-participant observations- positives
- Maintains objectivity - Reliable - Natural setting
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# Observations Observations- negatives
- Ethical issues - Hard to generalise - Researcher may become bias
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Non-participant observations- negatives
- Researcher bias - Hawthorne effect - Ethical concernes
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# Observations Non-participant obervations
Where the researcher observes a sitiation without engaging
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# Observations Participant observation
Researcher joins in a groups and looks at the members activities or daily lives
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# Observations Participant observations- positives
- Validity - Insight - Flexibility
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# Observations Participant observations- negatives
- Small sample sizes hard to generalise - Researcher bias - Time consuming
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# Observations Overt observation
Participants know they are being observed
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# Observations Overt observation- advantages
- Ethical transparency - Reduces researcher bias - Easy access for data recording
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# Observations Overt observation- negatives
- Hawthorne effect - Reduced validity - Difficult for studying sensative behaviours
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# Observations Covert observation
Participants are unaware they are being observed
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# Observations Covert observation- positives
- Natural behaviour - Access to deviant groups - High reliability
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# Observations Covert observation- negatives
- Ethical concernes - TIme consuming - Risk of harm
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# Statistics Official statistics
Statistics collected by governements or official bodies
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# Statistics Official statistics- positives
- Large sample size - Trend analysis - Accessible
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# Statistics Official statistics- negatives
- Lack of control - Potential for manipulation - Underreporting
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# Statistics Unofficial statistics
Statistics gathered by non-governmental sources
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# Statistics Unofficial statistics- positives
- Flexibility and specificity - Diverse perspecives - Cost-effective
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# Statistics Unofficial statistics- negatives
- Potential for bias - Reliability issues - Lack of generalisability
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# Media Content analysis
Analysing media content to identify how particular social groups or social situations are being portrayed
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# Media Content analysis- advantages
- Unobtrusive data collection - Reliable - Accessable and efficient
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# Media Content analysis- disadvantages
- Subjective- researcher bias - Context ignored - Limited preexisting material
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# MIxed methods Triangulation
Combining research methods to check or verify thr validity of the research findings
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# MIxed methods Triangulation- positives
- Enhances validity and reliability - Reduces bias - Increases confidence in findings
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# MIxed methods Triangulation- disadvantages
- Time and resource intensive - Increases conplexity in data analysis - Potential for conflicting findings
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# MIxed methods Methodological pluralism
Combining different reasearch methods to build up a fuller picture of what is happening
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# MIxed methods Methodological pluralism- advantages
- Enhanced validity and reliability - More comprehensive understanding - Adresses limitations of single method
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# MIxed methods Methodological pluralism- disadvantages
- Increased complexity - Potential for bias - Resource intensive
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