A: RESEARCH METHODS

Question 1

Positivism

Answer 1

Influenced by the natural sciences, adapt and apply ideas to human behaviour

Belief that we as humans have little control

Question 2

Social facts

Answer 2

Durkheim

These shape our actions

Question 3

Durkheim (1897) Study of suicide

Answer 3

Observed three trends

1. Suicide rates remained constant and predictable
2. Constant between societies
3. Constant within societies

Suicide is not free will, but a social fact

‘Egotistic suicide’- failure to integrate

Question 4

Reliability

Answer 4

The replicability of results

Question 5

Representability

Answer 5

How well it reflects the wider research population

Question 6

Generalisability

Answer 6

Can the sample results be true of individuals outside of the research population

Question 7

Interpretivism

Answer 7

Rejects the view that human beings are objects

People are active, conscious beings

Question 8

Verstehen

Answer 8

Engage with an empathetic understanding

Question 9

Six factors that influence choice of research topic

Answer 9

1. Social problems
2. Sociological problems
3. Funding
4. Current academic debates
5. The interests and values of the researcher
6. Access to subjects

Question 10

Atkinson (2003), Coroners and Suicide

Answer 10

Argued that suicide is socially constructed

Question 11

PET

Answer 11

Practical, ethical, theoretical

Question 12

Practical issues

Answer 12

1. Cost
2. Time
3. Subject matter

Question 13

Ethical issues

Answer 13

1. Informed consent
2. No deception
3. Privacy/Anonymity
4. Protection from harm
5. Nothing illegal or immoral
6. No risk of physical harm

Question 14

Theoretical

Answer 14

Choice of method is likely to be influenced by positivism or Interpretivism

Question 15

Detecting bias

Answer 15

1. Pilot studies

2. Respondent validation

Question 16

Operationalisation

Answer 16

To break down research aims into something that can be researched

Question 17

Systematic random sampling

Answer 17

Randomly choosing a number between 1 and 10. and then picking every 10th number (7, 17, 27…)

However does not guarantee a representative sample

Question 18

Stratified random sampling

Answer 18

Dividing the research population into frames and then using systematic random sampling

Question 19

Quota

Answer 19

Similar to stratified random, but use a quota

Bias can come through

Question 20

Purposive

Answer 20

Choosing an individual that fits the specific research need

Question 21

Opportunity

Answer 21

Going to a place where they might find the research population

Question 22

Snowball

Answer 22

Asking previous responded to recommend someone

Question 23

Volunteer

Answer 23

Advertise for volunteers

Question 24

Venkatesh (2003)

Answer 24

Studied the Black Kings in Chicago. Covert. Criticised for being unethical

Question 25

Types of questionnaires

Answer 25

1. Self report | 2. Attitudinal

Question 26

Strengths of questionnaires

Answer 26

Short Cheap Reach wide areas

Question 27

Weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 27

Biased | Can lead respondants- researcher imposition

Question 28

Strengths of statistics

Answer 28

1. Easy and cheap 2. Up to date 3. Representative

Question 29

Weaknesses of statistics

Answer 29

1. Open to abuse/manipulation | 2. Don't tell the story

Question 30

Strengths of content analysis

Answer 30

1. Cheap 2. Can be longitudinal 3. Reliable

Question 31

Weaknesses of content analysis

Answer 31

1. Time consuming | 2. Can be taken out of context

Question 32

Freyenburger (2003)

Answer 32

Amanada Knox. US media showed sympathy

Question 33

Example of sociology influencing social policy

Answer 33

Left and right realist influence on tackling crime | New Right ideologies influence educational policy.

Question 34

Strengths of longitudinal studies (2)

Answer 34

Quantiatative data- patterns and trends | Reaches a large sample- representative

Question 35

Weaknesses of longitudinal studies (4)

Answer 35

Doesn't allow for deeper understanding/ detail Attrition Bias may still exist Expensive

Question 36

Strengths of questionnaires (3)

Answer 36

Can reach large samples Cheap and quick Good for sensitive topics

Question 37

Weaknesses of questionnaires (4)

Answer 37

Low response rate Low validity- no understanding of emotions Can be misinterpreted Researcher imposition

Question 38

Strengths of structured interviews (2)

Answer 38

Scientific- high in validity | Quick to conduct

Question 39

Weaknesses of structured interviews

Answer 39

Researcher imposition Inflexible Cannot capture changes

Question 40

Strengths of unstructured interviews (2)

Answer 40

Allows for rapport | Provides richer data- valid

Question 41

Weaknesses of unstructured interviews (3)

Answer 41

Material may be biased Cannot be quantified High volume of data

Question 42

Strengths of focus groups (2)

Answer 42

Rich, bias free data | Comfortable environment produces highly valid data

Question 43

Weakness of focus groups

Answer 43

Strong personalities can dominate

Question 44

Weakness of semi-structured interviews

Answer 44

Researcher imposition

Question 45

Strength of triangulation

Answer 45

Increases validity

Question 46

Weakness of triangulation

Answer 46

Time consuming

Question 47

Strength of methodological pluralism

Answer 47

Collects both quantiatative and qualiatative data

Question 48

Strengths of statistics (4)

Answer 48

Easy and cheap Up to date- reliable Valid Large samples- representative and generalisable

Question 49

Weaknesses of statistics (2)

Answer 49

May not represent the full picture | Open to abuse

Question 50

Strengths of content analysis (3)

Answer 50

Cheap Comparative Reliable

Question 51

Weaknesses of content analysis (2)

Answer 51

Time consuming | Subjective- can be taken out of context

Question 52

Strengths of participant observation (3)

Answer 52

Good understanding- valid Can research otherwise inaccessible groups eg gangs Access to experiences and attitudes

Question 53

Weaknesses of participant observation (2)

Answer 53

Observer/ researcher effect | Can get too invested

Question 54

Strengths of non-participant observation (1)

Answer 54

Objective- less bias

Question 55

Weaknesses of non-participant observation (2)

Answer 55

Behaviour may be shaped by researcher's presence | Does not give behavioural insight