choosing a research method Flashcards
what three things do you have to consider when choosing what research method to use
practical factors - practicality
ethical factors - moral principles
theoretical factors - how good the data is
what is reliability
if research can be repeated and obtain the same or similar results
must use a standardised form of measurement
reliable method creates data that can be used systematically re test hypotheses about social behaviour
positivists want reliable research as it fits their scientific approach
what is representativeness
if it can be generalised to fit wider population
important as its rarely possible to study an entire population
sample may be selected which shares the characteristics of the wider population being studied to make research representative
positivists emphasises the importance of representativeness as it allows general conclusions to be drawn
what is validity
represents an accurate picture of what is happening , how true the data is
interpretivists emphasise validity which often is associated with research methods that happen on a small scale
what is primary data
data that is collected first hand by sociologists themselves for their own purposes
what is secondary data
data that has already been collected by someone else
what are practical factors
time
money
funding
opportunity and access
what are ethical factors
informed consent
confidentiality
impact on participants
staying within the law
what are theoretical factors
validity
reliability
representativity
