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Advanced Higher Modern Studies > Advanced Higher Research Methods > Flashcards

Advanced Higher Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Advantages of Case Studies

A
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2
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Disadvantages of Case Studies

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3
Q

What is a Case Study

A

A case study is used to provide a detailed and deep understanding of what is being studied by utilising an in-depth study of a particular group of people , organisation or event.

The scope of this method allows for a detailed analysis about perticular people, events or organisations

A primary source that provides quantitative and qualitative data

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4
Q

Examples of two Modern Case studies

A

A 2013 study carried out by the BBC in collaboration with Scottish Federation of Housing Associations highlighting the impact of the Bedroom Tax on individual people

Demos used a case study approach to look at voters’ motivations, in ‘Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself?’ As a result, they found that travel patterns and mobility, and acceptance or resistance to social liberalism all played significant roles in voting behaviour in the EU Referendum.

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5
Q

How to format research methods question

A

Point

Explain and use buzz word

Perspective of researcher

Example

Relation to researcher

Link to question

Link second and third paragraphs using words such as aditionally and however, try and synthesise

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6
Q

When are surveys used?

A

The choice is used when the researcher wants to conduct quantitative research from a wide range of people using principles of sampling

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7
Q

What is a longitudinal survey

A

Done over a period of years to take into account changing attitudes

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8
Q

What is a cross sectional survey

A

a one off survey

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9
Q

What are three advantages of surveys

A

Provides statistical information

Standardised questions allow for quick, accurate computerised analysis

Can compare results from different groups

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10
Q

What is a pilot study

A

When you do a trial survey to ensure questions are properly understood

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11
Q

What are two advantages and disadvantages of a pilot study

A

Avoids time and money being spent on an inadequate survey

allows for an queries or discrepencies in interpretation of the question to be identified and rectified

Disadvantages

Can be time consuming and expensive

Survey could be out of date by the time you’ve finished the pilot

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12
Q

What are two advantages and disadvantages of a face to face survey

A

Higher response rate

Responses can be elaborated especially if interviewer is skilled

Disadvantages

More private if it is anonymous so there is less of an embarrsement factor

Could be costly to get a good interviewer

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13
Q

What is an example of a face to face survey

A

Crime survey England and wales, which aims to provide robust trends on a consistent basis for the crime types and population it covers. The CSEW provides a better reflection of the extent of crime than police recorded figures, as the survey asks about crimes that are not reported to or recorded by the police.

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14
Q

What are two advantages of a postal questionnare

A

Fairly cheap, easy option

People have plenty of time to fill them in so can give considered answers

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15
Q

What

A
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16
Q

What are two disadvantages of a postal questionnare

A

Time-consuming method by the time the responses are returned

Difficult to check reliability of sample and get a representative sample which affects validity

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17
Q

Why are official statistics chosen

A

These methods are chosen when the researcher needs superficial information about a large number of people and they can be used to examine broad trends, provide quantitative information

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18
Q

What is the range and scope of official statistics

A

The range includes any topic that the government provides statistics for provided the data required is quantitative, for example, crime and unemployment 

The scope is limited to fairly superficial factual information, which is provided by official statistics though they can be used to compare different types of groups

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19
Q

What is an examples of official crime statistics

A

National fraud intellegence Burea collates fraud data from a wide range of sources including financial fraud action UK

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20
Q

two advantages of official crime statistics

A

provide information about the whole population

Good indicator of broad trends in social behaviour

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21
Q

What are two disadvantages of official statistics

A

Official statistics may use different indicators from those that researchers prefer to use, for example, definition of social class

Information is collected for other purposes so may not ideally meet the needs of the research

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22
Q

Example of a survey

A

2020 Ipsos Mori survey shows half of british people support the BLM movement, whereas 75% of people from ethnic minorities support the movement

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23
Q

What are focus groups

A

Focus groups are groups of people who get together to discuss issues and come up with ideas.

The number in the group can vary and so does the composition.

Sometimes it is a group of like minded people and other times it is made up of a representative sample of different people.

These aim to find out peoples opinions on a variety of issues through organised discussion and interaction.

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24
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25
Q

What are two key features of a focus group

A

Role of moderator is vital so needs to have high quality interpersonal skills

Research could be longitudinal

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26
Q

what is an examples of a focus group

A

Public attitudes to youth crime: report on focus group research.

(Jessica Jacobson and Amy Kirby, Institute for Criminal Policy Research,

Home Office, 30th July 2012)

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27
Q

What are four advantages of a focus group

A

Gain a wide range of views about several topics and these can be carefully chosen

Can be used as preliminary research which could then generate further research

Particularly good for gaining several perspectives about the same topic

Gain insights related to peoples shared understanding about issues

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28
Q

What are four disadvantages of a focus group

A

Expensive and time consuming method of research

The researcher has less control over the data produced than in quantitative studies or one to one interviews

It will probably be a small group so not statistically valid

Some people could be easily swayed so strong characters could dominate

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29
Q

What is the aim of participant observation

A

The aim of this method is to observe the group behaviour as naturally as possible

The choice of this method means that the researcher wants qualitative research with in depth information about feelings, interactions and processes.

This method could put the researcher in danger and can raise ethical considerations e.g. Is it moral to get involved in criminal action if you are observing gang behaviour.

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30
Q

What are four key features of participant observation

A

The observation can mean covert participation when the group studied will not know that their behaviour is being researched

The observation can be overt which means the group do know that their behaviour is being studied

If it is overt, it is possible only key people know the researcher’s true identity and the aims of the research

It is a primary source and provides qualitative data

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31
Q

What is an example of participant observation

A

Sudhir Venkatesh (2009) – “Gang Leader for a Day” - Study of the Black Kings, an African American gang who sold crack in Chicago.

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32
Q

What are four advantages of participant observation

A

Provides a realistic in-depth study of social behaviour and interaction

It can produce small scale detailed research

It is useful for studying interactions and processes over a lengthy period of time

It is helpful for understanding the opinions of the group because behaviour is seen in its natural setting

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33
Q

What are four disadvantages of participant observation

A

The reliability of the research could be affected by the researcher’s role within the group.

It requires a large time commitment from the researcher and this will increase the costs

It is difficult to avoid bias especially when the observation is covert

It can be difficult to record information accurately

34
Q

What are census studies

A

The census is taken everyone 10 years and is a survey of the total population of a country.

It is a structured questionnaire and is used to find out facts about family size, house size, car ownership etc and how these have changed over a 10-year period.

This establishes trends, which is why the UK’s figures are published in Social Trends.

These statistics can be used to predict future needs like house and road building.

35
Q

What is observation

A

The aim of this method is to observe group behaviour without the researcher taking part in the group activities.

The choice of this method is used when the researcher wants to study a group so that the group are unaware that they are being studied and therefore do not modify their behaviour.

 

The range of topics is limited to those that have a significant visual component, for example, studying the body language of social behaviour in public places.

36
Q

What are four key features of observation

A

It is a primary source of information

It may be overt or covert observation

It can be qualitative and quantitative, for example, can watch and record information but also count different reactions (watch shop-lifters, count particular type of behaviour)

It would probably involve video-recording

37
Q

What are four advantages of observation

A

Video evidence can be examined and therefore verified any others which improves its reliability

Easy to record data.

The researcher cannot influence the behaviour so the method is fairly objective and unbiased

It allows a useful insight into a phenomenon, and sidesteps the ethical and practical difficulties of setting up a large and cumbersome participation research project.

38
Q

What are four disadvantages of observation

A

Covert observation can raise the ethical questions of whether this is acceptable

Overt observation may risk the ‘Hawthorne effect’ as people know they are being watched.

Can be times consuming and expensive

Meaning of what is observed can be open to different interpretations

39
Q

What is analysis of newspapers and other media

A

The aim is to gather current information from a variety of types of media for comparison.

The choice is used when the researcher wants to get research from secondary sources, which give different viewpoints.

40
Q

What are four advantages of newspapers

A

A cheap and available method of getting up to date information

Some are also available on internet

Provides fairly in depth information which includes commentary and quotations from various experts and analysis of topics

Can give different perspectives on a topic

41
Q

what are four disadvantages of newspapers

A

This is a secondary source which depends on other peoples’choices, opinions

Newspapers are not objective sources

Newspapers often exaggerate/sensationalise to raise their circulation figures

Popular press in particular can depersonalise the event and the real issue is lost

42
Q

What are opinion polls

A

These are a type of questionnaire/survey so information about how surveys operate and sampling techniques provide relevant information.

As these surveys tend to be political, constituencies are often used as the basis of the sample so this means that constituencies chosen have to be representative of the population.

These surveys are commissioned by a range of organisations which include newspapers, TV, pressure groups

43
Q

What four things does an opinion poll need to be representative

A

Need constituencies from different geographical areas, North, South, urban, rural

Need constituencies with different types of people, black, white, Asia, middle and working class, male and female

Need marginal, safe constituencies

Ideally sample should have a mixture of floating voters and party loyalists

44
Q

What are some factors on the reliavility of opinion polls

A

The results are not always reliable, as during Donald Trumps presidential campaign, the polls put democratic rival Hillary Clinton ahead.

The sample size is usually about 1000 which is said to give plus/minus 3% accuracy.

45
Q

What are four reasons why opinion polls can get it wrong

A

Sampling errors (not representative, too small)

People do not always respond truthfully

People can change their minds and can be influenced by results of polls (see below)

People may respond to questions but not bother to vote

46
Q

What is the aim of structured interviews

A

The aim of these is usually to get factual information.

The choice of this method would mean the researcher wanted to collect a lot of superficial information over a large geographical area and/or from a large number of people.

47
Q

What are key features of a structured interview

A

This method usually involves face to face interviews where a pre-set list of questions is used which require a limited response but could be done via phone or internet.

It is like a questionnaire but is face to face.

It is a primary source providing quantitative data.

Questions need to be clear and unambiguous.

48
Q

What are four advantages of structured interviews

A

It is good for gaining factual information

Results are easy to quantity

It gets a good response rate as it is an interview situation

It is cheap and if a short questionnaire is used fairly quick method of collecting data

49
Q

What are four disadvantages of structured interviews

A

It can be time-consuming if the sample is large

Issues cannot be explored in-depth

Questions can themselves be biased and not allow for certain answers, for example, the answer the respondent wants may not be there

It is an unsuitable method for finding information about processes

50
Q

what is the aim of unstructured interviews

A

The Aim of this method is to get detailed information from the people interviewed.

The choice will be influenced by time and cost and the type of information required, for example, if there is a need for in-depth information about social behaviour.

51
Q

What are four key features of unstructured interviews

A

It is a primary source of information and provides qualitative data.

Questions are not necessarily pre set

It could start with prepared structured questions but then is flexible

The researcher can cover a broad range of issues

52
Q

What are four disadvantages of unstructured interviews

A

Can sometimes be hard to maintain the focus of the interview

Open to bias as the researcher can easily influence the respondent’s replies e.g. by giving non-verbal clues

Some people may not agree to be interviewed so the sample could be composed of like minded people

It is difficult to ensure objectivity when the questions are not standardised

53
Q

What are four advantages of semi-structured interviews

A

Allows researchers to establish “verstehen” — understanding from the perspective of the interviewee.

Question “scripts” or lists (interview guides) ensure a degree of similarity in the questions asked to each respondent, keeping results more reliable.

Qualitative interviewing is focused on the interviewee’s point of view rather than the researcher’s concerns, thus reducing interviewer bias.

Respondents’ views of the world, attitudes, motivations, feelings and emotions can be explored.

54
Q

What are four disadvantages of semi-structured interviews

A

Information gained may be untrustworthy — based on respondents lying, forgetting or being ignorant of the issue in question.

Interviewer presence (if viewed as unfriendly) may influence or limit interviewees’ responses.

Interviewer presence may lead to “interviewer bias” — consciously or unconsciously directing interviewees to a certain type of response.

Interviews are unnatural social situations (ecological validity) which will always affect the behaviour of interviewees.

55
Q

What are four advantages of internet questionnares

A

Fairly cheap option

Anonymous so no embarrassment factor

People have plenty of time to consider their answers

Can get access to people worldwide so broaden the scope of the survey

56
Q

What are three disadvantages of internet questionnaire

A

Sample restricted to those with internet access so not representative

People may not take it seriously and give considered answers

Type of person who is prepared to respond could slant the results

57
Q

What are four advantages of phone questionnares

A

higher response rate

Fairly cheap option

Easy access and will get sensible responses if interviewer skilled

Still fairly anonymous so less of an embarrassment factor

58
Q

What are four disadvantages of phone questionnares

A

May not be suitable for certain groups without phones (homeless)

People are ex directory/use mobile phones

Time of phoning could affect type of person (e.g. age) that respond

Difficult to ensure that you get a representative sample or indeed know who is answering

59
Q

What is simple random sampling

A

The basic method is random sampling, which means that everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

In a class setting, you could pick 5 names out a hat, or stick a pin to select a name.

Nowadays computers are used to select randomly.

You can, however, improve on random sampling so as to increase the chance that your sample will reflect the characteristics of the total population.

60
Q

What is stratified sampling

A

This is an attempt to make your sample as representative as possible.

You need to find out the general characteristics of the population you are interested in and then divide this into strata maybe according to age and gender.

A sample is then drawn randomly from each stratum you have identified.

This is like putting all the males aged over 65 in a hat and then pulling them out randomly.

61
Q

What is cluster sampling

A

It would be time-consuming and expensive to survey throughout Britain so instead you select certain areas at random in certain parts of the country and this is called cluster sampling.

It is easier to collect data from a smaller geographical area.

62
Q

What is systemic sampling

A

This means that you take every nth person from your sampling frame.

You could, for example, if your sample was to be 100 take every 10th person from 1000 names on the electoral register.

63
Q

What is snowball sampling

A

This is used if you want to study a group that does not have a sampling frame.

This method is useful when people do not want to be identified or they are difficult to find (e.g. Criminals)

You would have to make contact with some-one in your population (youth gangsters) and having gained their confidence get them to give you further names for research, hence creating a snowball effect.

It is likely to be an unrepresentative sample.

64
Q

What is quota sampling

A

Most market research companies use the type of sampling called quota sampling.

This is a cheap and accurate method.

The interviewer is told to select and interview an exact number from each of the groups that are in the population.

The number of people in each group, and thus the proportion in each group in the sample, will be in the same proportion as in the population.

65
Q

What are some problems with quota sampling

A

You need to know a lot about the population you are studying and this is not always the case

Interviewers need to be well trained and experienced to accurately select people to fill their quotas.

66
Q

What are issues with sampling methods

A

It is not easy to get a representative sample as people are not always honest about certain things and may, for example, not identify with a particular social class.

Without a representative and very large sample, there are question marks over the validity of a survey and the reliability of the conclusions.

It remains, however, a popular and fairly cheap method of collecting peoples’ opinions

67
Q

how to be representative in a sample

A

Political and Social sampling will often use constituencies as the basis of the sample so this needs to include:

Different geographical areas in country (North/South)

Urban/rural areas

Safe/marginal seats

Affluent/Deprived areas

They also have to include different types of people 

Age groups

Gender

Ethnic groups

Social class

Floating voters/loyalists

68
Q

What are four advantages of primary sources

A

The researcher is in control of how the information is gathered.

The researcher can collect information to find the precise information necessary for the research

The researcher can ensure that specific questions are asked

The researcher can amend and modify the research if necessary

69
Q

What are two disadvantages of primary sources

A

Primary research is time consuming and costly

Qualitative methods will tend to be biased

70
Q

What are two advantages of secondary sources

A

Saves times and money as research is already available

Can provide information not easily found elsewhere

71
Q

What are four disadvantages to secondary sources

A

The reliability is questionable, as you cannot usually check this

Other peoples’ research may be biased

Purpose behind the research could be different therefore it may not meet your requirements

Could be time-consuming to sift through a large amount of information

72
Q

Four examples of modern qualitative secondary sources

A

Diary entries

Facebook & Twitter posts,

Letters and other personal accounts

Newspapers

73
Q

Three advantages to qualitative secondary sources

A

Sometimes the only source of information available on a particular topic over time.

Can provide a gateway to the past to understanding the concerns and attitudes of people at the time. This may include letter columns in newspapers as well as comment postings on online newspapers such as the Guardian.

Analysing historical documents is useful in allowing researchers to gain insights into the beliefs, ideologies and values held by their authors.

74
Q

What are four disadvantages of secondary qualitative sources

A

Credibility? How can you detect exaggeration and biases in an individual diary entry or post?

Entries may reflect the interests and belief of the author and could be selected to portray them in a more positive light.

Newspaper accounts may reflect the values of the newspaper creating the report.

Are the accounts truly representative?

75
Q

Four simple moral guidelines research ethics

A

Participants must be informed.

They must not be deceived.

Their consent must be given.

They have the right to withdraw.

76
Q

EXEMPLAR: MILGRAM’S OBEDIENCE EXPERIMENT

A

Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted a series of obedience experiments during the 1960s that led to some surprising results.

When Milgram posed the question - If a person in a position of authority ordered you to deliver a 400-volt electrical shock to another person, would you follow orders? - to a group of Yale University students, it was predicted that no more than 3 out of 100 participants would deliver the maximum shock. In reality, 65% of the participants in Milgram’s study delivered the maximum shocks.

He felt he had to deceive them for the experiment to work despite causing the participants distress.

77
Q

What is reliability

A

Will the findings be the same if the study is repeated?

78
Q

What is validity

A

To what extent do the research findings provide a true picture of what is studied?

79
Q

What are cohort studies

A

A group of people born at the same time will be studied over a period of years to see how their different social and economic backgrounds affect their lives (7 UP), their educational achievement etc.

80
Q

Examples of online surveys

A

Survey Monkey

81
Q

Example of online results being skewed to younger generations

A

2019 Labour, day off General election vote labour was trending yet the conservatives won their greatest majority since 1987

Advanced Higher Modern Studies (4 decks)

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