Methods Flashcards
Positivism
Aims to explain social behaviour using scientific methods that produce quantitative data such as surveys, questionnaires, structured interviews and lab experiments.
Interpretivism
Aims to explain social behaviour by going beyond empirical and supposedly objective evidence and instead focusing on achieving Verstehen and obtaining qualitative data through observations, unstructured interviews and field experiments.
What is random sampling?
When a researcher randomly selects participants for research from a list, out of a hat or randomly-generated choice by computer. Each member of the target population has an equal chance of being in the sample
What is opportunity/volunteer sampling?
When the researcher selects anyone who is available and willing to take part in the study.
What is systematic sampling?
When the researcher uses a predetermined system to select the participants from a target group to create an unbiased sample, e.g. choosing an nth name from a list.
What is snowball sampling?
When participants recommend personal contacts, similarly to a chain letter.
What is stratified sampling?
When the researcher divides or ‘stratifies’ the target group into sections, each representing a key group/characteristic that should be present in the final sample and then randomly selecting participants from that group.
What is quota sampling?
When the researcher divides the target group into sections, each representing a key group/characteristic that should be present in the final sample and then choosing candidates based off this.
Outline a geographical location paragraph for official statistics
-Secondary method
-Qualitative data
-Preferred by positivists for their ability to collect reliable, representative data. As such, interpretivists reject this method due to the lack of depth and validity with its findings.
Practical strengths/limitations of official statistics
-Statistics may not be on what sociologists are investigating as they instead focus on what the government thinks is important.
+Free method of conducting research
+Can be used to compare patterns over time or before and after certain events
Ethical strengths/limitations of official statistics
-Some personal documents, e.g. reports on students in schools are confidential, are confidential and thus sociologists are likely unable to gain access
Theoretical strengths/limitations of official statistics
+The use of large samples allows generalisations to be made, contributing to the high representativeness of the findings
+Data is collected in a systematic, standardised way which means that it is high in reliability COUNTERPOINT: reliability is, however, threatened by potential mistakes made when inputting data, e.g. when families put information incorrectly into forms
-Interpretivists criticise this method as ‘soft’ statistics, e.g. crime rates, may not give a valid picture. For example, not all crimes are reported to the police and are thus not recorded by police and included in official statistics, which contributes to why they only cover 25% of crimes
Outline a geographical location paragraph for official interviews
-primary method
