research methods

Question 1

what methods produce quantitative data?

Answer 1

surveys, questionnaire, structure interviews, official statistics

Question 2

what methods produce qualitative data?

Answer 2

unstructured interviews, non participation observation, case studies, focus groups

Question 3

what are the features of surveys?

Answer 3

produces quantitative data

Question 4

what are the strengths of surveys?

Answer 4

High Representativeness
Low Costs
Convenient Data Gathering
Good Statistical Significance
Little or No Observer Subjectivity 
Precise Results

Question 5

what are the weaknesses of surveys?

Answer 5

lack of depth
people can just lie on it
people may understand the question diffenrtly making thr data not as accurate as you want it to be
people who cznt read might no be bale to do the survey

Question 6

what are the features of questionnaires?

Answer 6

A set of questions (schedule) is used to gain data from a sample of the general population. Closed questions are mainly used..
can be Online, phone or postal.
produces quantative data

Question 7

what are the strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 7

Can cover a wide sample,
Relatively cheap to administer – cost of stamps, questionnaire publication, etc.
Only needs minimum involvement of researcher.
Time only needed in drawing up questionnaire, sending it and analysing results.
Responses are usually easy to quantify
Good for obtaining factual information.
Respondents may like the anonymity of a questionnaire and be more honest in giving answers

Question 8

what are the weaknesses of questionaries?

Answer 8

Can get a poor response rate because people forget to send it back or lack motivation or incentive to do so.
Questionnaires are usually limited in terms of length of questionnaire and type of questions that are asked.
If too lengthy or too complex then respondents will not take time to complete it.
No way of exploring issues.
Respondents are unable to clarify any points they are unsure about.
Relies on respondent’s ability to read and write.
Relies on respondent’s ability to understand the questions.

Question 9

what are the features of structured interviews

Answer 9

Structured or formal interviews use a set schedule of questions which are mainly closed.
usually recorded with a Tape recorder.
It is a quantitative method of observation.
A structured interview is easy to replicate.

Question 10

what are the strengths of structured interview?

Answer 10

researcher and respondent meet face-to-face
questions can be repeated if something is not initially understood
people can answer questions even if they cannot read or write
good response rate

Question 11

what are the weaknesses of structured interviews?

Answer 11

can be time consuming for researcher and respondent and high cost due to researcher time
people may not answer questions honestly
people may give the answer they think the researcher wants
closed questions therefore cannot explore points

Question 12

what are the features of official statistics?

Answer 12

Numerical information collected, analysed and published by national and local government bodies.
Often involves large amounts of data from a large sample size over a long period of time.
produces quantitative data

Question 13

what are the strengths of official statistics?

Answer 13

Usually collated by official bodies such as government departments, police
Can compare trends over time
Rich source of quantitative data
Already collated-saves researcher time and cost.
Good for quantitative studies – how many crimes have been reported in any one year
May show general trends for particular behaviour

Question 14

what are the weaknesses of official statistics?

Answer 14

Does not provide qualitative data
May not contain all the data required.
May be biased because of the way data is collected
May be collected and/or presented for a specific reason, eg. unemployment figures
May be difficult to do comparison on longitudinal studies because different criteria may be used when gathering statistics, eg. class criteria
All statistics still require interpretation
Official statistics can describe but not explain.

Question 15

what are the features of unstructured interviews?

Answer 15

a conversation where questions arise out of dialogue.
produces qualitative data
usually the interviewer is given a set up topics to ask about
usually recorded using a tape recorder
is a flexible method

Question 16

what are the strengths of unstructured interviews?

Answer 16

allows researcher to explore issues in an in-depth way
researcher is not restricted to a set of pre-set questions
researcher can clarify points and explore particular points
good for ascertaining meanings, feelings and motives.

Question 17

what are the weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

Answer 17

can lose track of the interview’s purpose
easy for respondent to digress
data tends to be descriptive and therefore can be difficult to quantify
can be time consuming for researcher and respondent
can be difficult to compare data.

Question 18

what are the features of participation observation?

Answer 18

researcher becomes part of the group
produces quantitative data
can be overt or covert
Hawthorne effect

Question 19

what are the strengths of participation observation?

Answer 19

first hand knowledge and information
in depth picture of social behaviour
good for explaining issues relating to feelings, meanings, interactions and processes.

Question 20

what are the weaknesses of participation observation?

Answer 20

if covert-ethical issues arise
high involvement of researchers time and therefore high cost
can be biased hawthorn effect - the presence of the sociologist may change the behaviour can only do this with small group
as the data is descriptive it can be difficult to quantify
may be biased · “getting in”, “staying in” and “getting out” can be problematic
difficult to record observations when researcher is also a participant.

Question 21

what are the features of non participation observation?

Answer 21

In direct observation the researcher observes the group from a detached position
can be overt or covert
produces quantitative data
researcher doesn’t not become apart of the group

Question 22

what are the strengths of non participant observation?

Answer 22

first hand knowledge and information
Good for describing ‘natural’ behaviour – if the individual or group is unaware they are being studied.
in depth picture of social behaviour · good for explaining issues relating to feelings, meanings, interactions and processes.

Question 23

what are the weaknesses of non participation observation?

Answer 23

difficult to record data.
Needs a high input from the observer in terms of time and therefore costs are high as researcher needs to be there all the time. Difficult to quantify behavior
No way of checking details or exploring issues further.
There may be bias on the part of the researcher in what he/she sees.
Ethical considerations related to individuals/groups being observed without their knowledge.

Question 24

what are the features of a case study?

Answer 24

involves systematic and in-depth examination of a single event or case over time.
produces qualitative as well as quantitative.
A collection of methods used to study an individual, small group or institution
The number of unit to be studied is small.

Question 25

what are the strengths of a case study?

Answer 25

Allows in-depth analysis and understanding of particular cases.
May generate ideas and hypotheses for future research.
May complement the use of other methods such as interviews and observation

Question 26

what are the weaknesses of a case study?

Answer 26

Very time-consuming and demanding of researcher.
Information may only be applicable to the case under investigation.
Information may be difficult to collate.
Information may be difficult to quantify.

Question 27

what are the features of a focus group?

Answer 27

similar to interviews
questions are asked in an interactive group setting
participants are free to talk with other group members.
produces qualitative data

Question 28

what are the strengths of a focus group?

Answer 28

Results are gathered on the spot rather than waiting for questionnaire data
Allows in-depth analysis and understanding of particular issue.
The researcher can talk to many people at once, unlike an interview.
May complement the use of other methods such as surveys.

Question 29

what are the weaknesses of a focus group?

Answer 29

Experimenter/observer bias – where the outcome is influenced by the researcher’s interpretation of the group’s discussion
Group think - in which the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in reaching a consensus decision without thorough examination of alternative viewpoints.
Lack of confidentiality when in front of a researcher may lead to social desirability bias.
Information may be difficult to collate and quantify