Research Methods

Question 1

Quantitative data

Answer 1

MWthods of research using numbers & statistics that can easily be put into a graph. E.g. Graphs, official statistics

Question 2

Qualitative data

Answer 2

Using exploration of people’s opinions, underlying reasons and motivation of certain things. E.g. Opinions, meanings

Question 3

Primary data

Answer 3

Data that is directly collected by the researcher themselves. E.g. Interviews, Questionnaires, Observations & Experiments

Question 4

Secondary data

Answer 4

The researcher gathers other sources of data but does not generate the data themselves. E.g. Diaries, letters, emails, TV documentaries

Question 5

What does a researcher need to consider when carrying out research?

Answer 5

PET- Practical, Ethical & Theoretical

Question 6

Practical Issues

Answer 6

• Time- Some methods require more time than others
• Money- Money is needed to apy researcher, transportation & resources
• Characteristics - Some researchers may be ok with dangerous situations
• Access & Opportunity - If researchers don’t have access to certain groups, they have to turn to secondary data

Question 7

Ethical Issues

Answer 7

• Informed Consent - All participants must have openly agreed to take part.
• Deception- Researcher must be open & honest about the study and its implications
• Confidentiality - Details of participants and their actions must remain confidential and private
• Vulnerable Groups- People with learning difficulties may not fully understand what participation would include and it can be argued that it is then not informed consent

Question 8

Theoretical Issues

Answer 8

Positivism - Use reliable methods that give quantitative data. Often use objective sources.
Interpretivism - Use valid methods that give qualitative data. Often use subjective sources

Question 9

Why do positivists use quantitative data?

Answer 9

They believe Sociology should be scientific and analyse ‘social facts’ These are external things like laws. They like to use statistics to measure the relationship between factors and are more interested in ‘cause and effect’.

Question 10

Why do interpretivists use qualitative data?

Answer 10

They believe that positivist methods don’t tell us much about how individuals act in society. They believe that sociology should not be scientific as ‘humans cannot be measured’ and believe that you can only understand human behaviour through empathy.

Question 11

Validity

Answer 11

How well the study can be generalized and that the study has measured what it was intended to.

Question 12

Reliability

Answer 12

The extent to which a study could be repeated and get the same results.

Question 13

Representative

Answer 13

How accurately a study reflects the characteristics of the larger group

Question 14

What factors influence a Sociologist’s choice of topic?

Answer 14

• Preference & knowledge
• Funding & Co-operation
• Career in Sociology
• Reviewing the Field

Question 15

How does preference & knowledge affect choice of topic?

Answer 15

• Sociologists often specialise in certain topics and will therefore have more knowledge of it.
• They pick a topic they find interesting as if they don’t the research will likely be flawed due to their lack of interest

Question 16

How does Funding & Co-operation affect choice of topic?

Answer 16

• The organisation that funds research is called ‘The Gatekeeper’ as they have the final say on most crucial decisions involving the research.
• Research cannot be carried out without funding

Question 17

How does Career in Sociology affect choice of topic?

Answer 17

Sociologists tend to jump at the chance to improve their employability as certain topics become popular at certain times.

Question 18

How does Reviewing the Field affect choice of topic?

Answer 18

The researcher analyses material to help clarify the issues around the subject and previous methodology.

Question 19

Hypothesis

Answer 19

A prediction of what the results will show

Question 20

Aim

Answer 20

The intent of the study

Question 21

Operationalisation

Answer 21

Making concepts & ideas measurable

Question 22

Reasons for conducting a Pilot Study

Answer 22

• establishes validity of research

- can adjust any issues in the method

Question 23

Purpose of sampling

Answer 23

To represent a larger population

Question 24

Sampling frame

Answer 24

List of everyone in the target population

Question 25

Types of representative sampling

Answer 25

- Systematic | - Stratified

Question 26

Types of non-representative sampling

Answer 26

- Opportunity | - Random

Question 27

Two types of experiment

Answer 27

- Lab | - Field

Question 28

Lab Experiment

Answer 28

Controlled environment. Changes IV & DV. Often used by psychologists

Question 29

Field Experiment

Answer 29

Response to criticisms of Lab experiments. Real, social setting where those involved are often unaware. Used by interpretivists

Question 30

Experimental group

Answer 30

The group that is exposed to the IV

Question 31

The control group

Answer 31

The group that is not exposed to the IV but is used to measure against the experimental group

Question 32

Why might positivists use lab experiments?

Answer 32

Lab experiments produce quantitative data that looks at how certain variables affect others and positivists are interested in 'cause and effect' to explain behaviour.

Question 33

Problems with using lab experiments

Answer 33

- Hard to reproduce real social situations - Can be described as artificial - People may feel intimidated by the environment

Question 34

Hawthorne effect

Answer 34

People may act differently if they are aware that they are being observed.

Question 35

Free will

Answer 35

Idea that we are able to have some choice in the way we act and our behaviour.

Question 36

Questionnaire

Answer 36

A social survey that can used open-ended or closed-ended questions.

Question 37

Closed-ended questions

Answer 37

Gives quantitative data. Limited number of responses.

Question 38

Open-ended questions

Answer 38

Cannot be answered with a static response. Gives qualitative data.

Question 39

Types of questionnaire

Answer 39

- Postal - Self-completion - Face-to-face - Internet - Telephone

Question 40

Advantages of questionnaires

Answer 40

- Easy to administer - Reliable - Anonymous, so they're suitable for sensitive topics - A large sample can be given them

Question 41

Disadvantage of questionnaires

Answer 41

- Respondents may not tell the truth - Questions may be misleading - Respondents can't give extra information - Low response rate

Question 42

Types of Interview

Answer 42

- Structured- Interviewer has a set list of questions to follow. Produces quantitative data. - Unstructured - Not a predetermined set of questions, but usually has a certain topic in mind. - Semi-structured - follow a general list of questions but they're more open ended, allowing room for discussion

Question 43

Advantages & disadvantages of structured interviews

Answer 43

+ - Reliable - Used in large scale social surveys - Interviewer can explain and clarify questions - High response rate - - More expensive than questionnaires - They can't ask for more detailed as the questions are set

Question 44

Advantages and disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 44

+ - Flexible - Easy to gain trust and discuss sensitive topics - Valid - - Interviewer needs to have skill to probe on certain questions - Smaller samples, so less representative - Long time to write up

Question 45

Non-participant observation

Answer 45

The researcher observes but is not actively part of the group

Question 46

Participant observation

Answer 46

Researcher actively involves themselves in the group.

Question 47

Covert observation

Answer 47

Researcher doesn't tell the group they're being observed

Question 48

Overt observation

Answer 48

Group is aware they're being observed and knows they're being observed.

Question 49

Advantages and disadvantages of covert observation

Answer 49

+ - Easier to gain access as permission is not needed. - Less chance of Hawthorne effect - Better inside view of the group - - There may be danger to the researcher if they are discovered, depending on the group to are involved in, - There are a lot of ethical dilemmas, like deception

Question 50

Advantages and disadvantages of overt observation

Answer 50

+ - May be in the position of the trusted outsider and receive confident information from group members - Open and honest role, minimal ethical dilemmas - - Likely to be affected by Hawthorne effect - Group may not trust an outsider

Question 51

Advantages and disadvantages of participant observation

Answer 51

+ - Can get right where the action is. Explore dynamics of the group better. - Can lead to new inside to generate new theoretical ideas - Easier to ensure that they do no harm as they will understand the needs of the group - - Time consuming & expensive - The researcher may find it difficult to be objective in their results - Likelihood of Hawthorne effect

Question 52

Advantages & disadvantages of non-participant observation

Answer 52

+ - Easier to be objective - Group is less likely to be influenced by the researcher - - May limit understanding of the group - Likelihood of Hawthorne effect