Research Methods

Question 1

Quantitative Data

Answer 1

Quantitative data can be reliable but not very valid

Question 2

Qualitative Data

Answer 2

Qualitative data can be valid but not very reliable

Question 3

Primary data

Answer 3

Collected first hand

Question 4

Secondary data

Answer 4

Existing information

Question 5

Questionnaires

Answer 5

Mainly give quantitative data

Question 6

Social surveys

Answer 6

These involve asking people questions in a written questionnaire or an interview

Question 7

Participant observation

Answer 7

The sociologists joins in with the activities of the group he or she is studying

Question 8

Experiments

Answer 8

Sociologists rarely use laboratory experiments but they sometimes use field experiments and the comparative method

Question 9

Official statistics

Answer 9

Produced by government on a wide range of issues such as education,crime , divorce and unemployment as well as other statistics produced by charities,business, churches and other organisations

Question 10

Documents

Answer 10

Such as letters, emails , diaries , photographs, official reports, novels , newspapers, the internet and television broadcasts.

Question 11

Experimental group

Answer 11

This group we might vary the quantity of nutrients that they received, carefully measuring and recording any changes in the plants size that we observe

Question 12

Control group

Answer 12

With this group we would keep the quantity of nutrients constant also measuring and recording any changes in the size of the plants

Question 13

Lack of informed consent

Answer 13

As a general principle the researcher needs the informed consent of the research participants. However this may be difficult to obtain from groups such as children or people with learning difficulties who may be unable to understand the nature and purpose of the experiment

Question 14

Harm

Answer 14

The experiment may also harm the participants. In milgram experiments many research participants were observed to sweat stutter tremble groan bite their lips.

Question 15

Lack of informed consent

Answer 15

As a general principle the researcher needs the informed consent of the research participants. However this may be difficult to obtain from groups such as children or people with learning difficulties who may be unable to understand the nature and purpose of the experiment

Question 16

Harm

Answer 16

The experiment may also harm the participants. In milgram experiments many research participants were observed to sweat stutter tremble groan bite their lips.

Question 17

Free will

Answer 17

Interpretivist sociologists argue that humans are fundamentally different from plants rocks and other phenomena studied by natural scientists. This means our behaviour cannot be explained in terms of cause and effect.

Question 18

Funding Bodies

Answer 18

Groups or organisations that provide the financial resources for research

Question 19

Interpretivism

Answer 19

An approach that believes research is subjective and qualifiable and should understand the meaning behind behaviour with a focus on individuals rather than groups

Question 20

Positivism

Answer 20

An approach that believes society can be studied using similar scientific techniques to those used in the natural sciences, data is objective and quantifiable

Question 21

Covert Observation

Answer 21

Where the researcher in an observation keeps her or his identity as a researcher concealed from the group being studied

Question 22

Ethical factors

Answer 22

Elements of research relating to moral issues and harm

Question 23

Valid

Answer 23

The extent to which findings of research actually provide a true genuine or authentic picture if what is being studied

Question 24

Random Sampling

Answer 24

The research sample is selected purely by chance where everyone has an equal chance of being selected

Question 25

Gate Keeper

Answer 25

Someone who is an authoritative figure in between the researcher and a potential participator

Question 26

Practical factors

Answer 26

Elements of research which relate to its cost the time it takes and access to what you need

Question 27

Operating concepts

Answer 27

Defining important words and categories of your research for example deciding what counts as working class

Question 28

Theoretical factors

Answer 28

Elements of your research which relate to its validity representativity and reliability

Question 29

Pilot study

Answer 29

A small scale practice study carried out before the final study to check for any possible problems

Question 30

Objective

Answer 30

When something is factual rather than based upon opinion.

Question 31

Stratified samplying

Answer 31

The researcher breaks down the population into the sampling frame for example by age class gender. The sample is then created in the same proportion

Question 32

Positivism

Answer 32

An approach that believes society can be studied using similar scientific techniques to those used in the natural sciences data is objective and quantifiable

Question 33

Secondary data

Answer 33

Information that has been collected or created by someone else for their own purposes but which the sociologists can then use.

Question 34

Representative

Answer 34

Whether data obtained is reflective of the wider population

Question 35

Hawthorne Effect

Answer 35

When the research participant are aware they are being studied and change their behaviour accordingly

Question 36

Informed consent

Answer 36

Participants understand what is involved in the research it’s purpose and have agreed to participate

Question 37

Census

Answer 37

A survey or count of the population carried out every 10 years by the government

Question 38

Quantitative

Answer 38

Information that can be measured and expressed in statistical of number form

Question 39

Reliable

Answer 39

Whether another researcher is repeating or replicating research using the same method for the same research on the same or a similar group would achieve similar results

Question 40

Hypothesis

Answer 40

A proposed explanation or prediction made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation

Question 41

Field experiments

Answer 41

A scientific method of research which takes place in a natural environment