Introduction to research methods Flashcards
(27 cards)
Primary data
Information collected first hand by sociologists for their own purposes
Secondary data
Information that has been created by someone else for their own purposes.
Quantitative data
Information in numerical form
Qualitative data
Gives you a feel for what something is like and is in-depth.
Practical factors
Issues that impact on your ability to carry out the research.
Ethical factors
The moral issues of right and wrong that need to be considered when carrying out research.
Theoretical factors
The considerations about the data that will be released at the end of your study.
Time and money - practical
Different methods require different amounts of time and money.
Requirements of funding bodies - practical
A research institute, business or any other organisation that is funding the research may require results in a particular form.
Personal skills and characteristics - practical
Each sociologist possesses different skills, and this will impact on the method they use.
Subject matter - practical
Some groups or subjects may mean it is very difficult to use certain methods.
Research opportunity - practical
Sometimes opportunities to carry out research occur unexpectedly.
Informed consent - ethical
Consent refers to permission to take part in the study.
Confidentiality and anonymity - ethical
Researchers should keep the identity of the participants secret to prevent possible negative effects, such as physical harm.
Harm to participants - ethical
Researchers need to be aware of possible side effects of their work.
Vulnerable groups - ethical
Special care should be given when researching participants that may be vulnerable.
Covert research - ethical
The researchers identity and purpose is hidden from the people being studied.
Validity - theoretical
How truthful is the data to society?
Reliability - theoretical
How easy is it to consistently repeat the research and get the same results?
Representativeness
Generalisable - is the group you are studying an accurate look at the people within society?
Positivists
Prefer quantitative data and seek to discover patterns of behaviour and see sociology as a science - functionalists and Marxists take positivist approach
Interpretivists
Prefer qualitative data because they seek to understand social actors’ meanings and reject sociology as a science - interactionists favour this approach
Factors influencing choice of topic - The sociologist’s perspective
A sociologist’s theoretical perspective is a major influence in what they choose to study.
Factors influencing choice of topic - Society’s values
Sociologists themselves are part of the society they study and as such are influenced by its values; as the values change so does the focus of the research.
