Secondary Sources (20)

Question 1

Secondary Sources/Data Definition

Answer 1

Data that the sociologist hasn’t collected themselves but already exists

Question 2

What does Secondary Data include?

Answer 2

Bryman suggested it includes Life Documents, Offical Documents, Mass Media and Previous Sociological research

Question 3

Qualitative or Quantitative

Answer 3

Different form of SD can give both Qual or Quant data or even both
Tends to be more qual from visual and printed sources like newspaper, letters, diaries, TV programs, historical documents and school records

Question 4

Why are they Used?

Answer 4

Quicker than creating own primary data
Past events and attitudes investigated 
Comparisons over time
Safer than investigating
People may be unable to comment

Question 5

Reliability of Secondary Sources

Answer 5

Depends on the source
If not reliable than shouldn’t be used especially if you don’t know the procedure or if there was any bias
Newspapers, Magazine and Websites don’t use rigorous or well-checked methods of documentation
Standardised Procedure may not present
Browne: All secondary sources must be treated with caution as it isn’t always possible to know the criteria surrounding the collection or selection of the data

Question 6

Reliability Examples (Anne Frank)

Answer 6

Dairies can provide a reliable alternative to the traditional interview method for events that are difficult to recall or easily forgotten
Historical documents can cover longer periods of time hindering reliability
Anne Frank’s diaries informed us of the full range of emotions experienced under extreme distress during WW2 but it cannot be repeated

Question 7

Representativeness of Secondary Sources

Answer 7

Personal accounts of individuals that may not be representative or generalizable data
Determining whether a document is a representative depends on whether it is typical if it’s complete or if parts are missing and whose values and views the sources reflect. Represent bias or partisan views.
Researchers rarely investigate ordinary people so if personal documents from atypical examples are used like gang members they aren’t representative

Question 8

High Validity of Secondary Sources

Answer 8

Personal Document is viewed as reflecting the naturalistic arena where individuals can explore their own thoughts and feelings.
Produce rich qualitative data high in validity.
Offers insight into behaviour and experiences.
Not written for public consumption so highly accurate and valid.

Question 9

Low Validity of Secondary Sources

Answer 9

Historical documents may be subjective, biased, prejudiced and one-sided. No way checking as dead. No way of judging how honest they are.
Newspapers, magazines and websites do not use rigorous and well-controlled methods in the documentation. Opinion based and far from facts to make the situation seem better or worse.

Question 10

Validity Example (Cohen)

Answer 10

Cohen highlighted the inaccuracy in media portrayals.
Investigations of reports between Mods and Rockers
Media exaggerated original incidents of fighting
Created folk devils and moral panic
Cannot be used as an accurate representation of events at the time

Question 11

The practicality of Secondary Sources

Answer 11

Qualitative Secondary Sources are sometimes the only data available so have to be used. Laslett research on families across several countries wouldn’t be possible if records hadn’t be kept. Useful in making comparisons over time.
Saves time. Quality documents make primary data unnecessary
Easy Access. Already in access and already in the public domain. Public documents are created or recorded by government departments like Armed Forces, NHS and judicial system. Kept by national archive which is considered too accurate.
Vast amounts are so easy to obtain. Libraries are free

Question 12

Practical Issues

Answer 12

Obtaining access.
Data Format so will need converting. Visual to word for example.
Dated Nature. Only historical documents can be used forever. Only applies to a certain time period

Question 13

Interpretivists Interpretation of Secondary Sources

Answer 13

Generally, favour life documents in particular (first-hand accounts of social events and personal experiences including the writers feelings and attitudes)
Not written by the researcher but for the respondents own purpose
Ecologically valid as provides ‘window’ into natural thought processes
Gabb and Emotion Maps - own thoughts and meaning

Question 14

Positivists Interpretation of Secondary Sources

Answer 14

Scott identified 4 theoretical limitations that undermine the usefulness of historical documents

• Authenticity ( Missing and Cannot verify)
• Credibility (can’t verify the document, ie who wrote it, motive for writing, not objective)
• Meaning (Archaic language can easily be misconstrued and cannot be clarified)
• Reprenstaivness (Can’t generalise)

Question 15

Conclusion

Answer 15

Can be useful

Proceeded with Caution

Question 16

Krishan and Hoon

Answer 16

studied the way courses are designed in education. They identified three advantages of using diaries in research:
-they provide ‘voices’ to the respondents (they write in their own words)
-they give an insight into the individual’s learning agenda’
-they provide a means of ‘listening’ to the respondents.
Clearly, the usefulness of this method is compromised if entries are short and only done on an infrequent basis. Therefore by ‘listening’ to individual ‘voices’ through the diaries, it is possible for the teacher in the classroom to make certain adjustments to accommodate individual learning needs.

Question 17

Cohen (Folk Devils and Moral Panics)

Answer 17

Used a theory of ‘deviancy amplification’
Investigated newspaper reports of fighting between ‘mods’ and ‘rockers’ in the 1960s
Cohen argues that the original incidents of fights between young people in Clacton were then exaggerated and distorted by the media
The Media produced clear differences between the two groups, which had not previously been significant according to Cohen
Newspapers predicted violence on a Bank Holiday Monday in May, the police readied themselves accordingly and responded to any trouble harshly – arresting large numbers of young people
This had created ‘folk devils’ (groups of youths’) and a ‘moral panic’ on behalf of the general public in their response to young people

Question 18

Fawbet (Hoodies)

Answer 18

Investigating the use of the term ‘hoodies’ in the media. He argues that the term was an example of a ‘moral panic’ created by newspapers, as the term had not been used prior to 2004

Question 19

Newspaper Issue

Answer 19

“Migrants cause crime wave” – The Express
“Immigrant crime wave a ‘myth’” – the Guardian
2 headlines, both reporting on the same story, but producing very different views

Question 20

Stein (The Internet as SS)

Answer 20

Authorship – clear linked to the name of a writer or compiler or anonymous?
Authority of the author – are they well qualified to make statements and claims?
Authority of the material – are there references and sources that allow corroboration?
Authority of the site / organisation – is it business site or an individual? Which has more expertise?
Currency – when was it written? Is the information up to date?
Pressure groups / objectivity – are the values of the group or writer being reflected in the material? Is it objective or biased?