Methods Flashcards
Qualitative Methods
Detailed research, aiming to understand, rather than measure, the behaviour of the participants. For example an unstructured interview.
Quantitative Methods
Large scale, representative research, aiming to measure, rather than understand, the behaviour of the participants. Numerical answers, likert scale, tick boxes used. Questions can be put into graphs and analysed. Closed answer. Scientific- objective, unbiased, reliable.
Structured Interviews
Researcher asks participants closed questions in person, with responses that can be measured and compared- for example yes/no or the Likert Scale or a numerical value.
Unstructured Interviews
Researcher asks participants open questions that can be responded to in detail- a rapport can be developed between researcher and participant.
Questionnaires
Structured questions are asked to the participant, but it is not in person. Crime Survey of England and Wales.
Participant Observation
The researcher participates in the subject he is researching. Since they are involved in the action the validity is increased, it also allows you to research deviant groups. But is hard to be objective, may have to engage in illegal activities and cannot be repeated. Not relaible.
Focus Group
The researcher gets a group of participants together and asks questions to them together, enabling the group to bounce off each other and get into deeper detail.
Ethnographic Methods
Research aiming to live through the experiences of the group being studied, qualitative data. Participant observation. Barker, The Moonies. Child of the New Century.
Data is valid verstehen and reliable but not representative or generalisable.
Longitudinal Studies
Studies designed to look at development and change. Usually consisting of the same group or individuals over fairly long periods of time. Interviews over a certain period of years. Child of the New Century.
Valid verstehen and reliable but not representative or generaliseable.
Methodological Pluralism
When research combines both quantitative and qualitative methods, aiming to both measure and interpret the social world.
Barker, when studying the Moonies used questionnaires and unstructured interviews.
Valid.
Triangulation
When the researcher uses two or more methods OR when two or more researchers use the same method.
More reliable.
Barker, when studying the moonies used questionnaires and unstructured interviews.
Secondary Methods
Use of already existing information- no methods required. For example, existing Sociological research, official statistics or documents such as letters, diaries and newspaper reports.
Positivist Approach
Quantitative research that can be measured.
Interpretivist Approach
Qualitative research aiming to understand the individual.
Realist Approach
Combining of both qualitative and quantitative research, aiming to both measure and understand the topic, but reaping both the advantages and disadvantages of each.
