Research Methods

Question 1

Types of research methods

Answer 1

. Questionnaires
. Interviews
. Observations
. Experiments
. Documentaries
. Official statistics

Question 2

Positivists

Answer 2

believes sociology should be a science - they identify social trends and changes

Question 3

Interpretivists

Answer 3

Believe sociology isn’t a science - study human emotions and feelings

Question 4

Different types of data - primary data

Answer 4

.conducted by researcher
. Research a hypothesis
.First hand picture
.Researcher has control over data collection

Question 5

Different types of data - secondary data

Answer 5

. Data’s that’s already been collected By another researcher or government body - census - everyone in uk has to answer
. Good for Comparison to longitudinal studies - can compare research from years ago
. Researcher has no control over data collection

Question 6

Different types of data - quantitative data

Answer 6

. Numerical data
. Gained using yes or no questions
. Easily comparable
. Statistics
. Scientific basis

Positivists are more likely to use quantitative data as it’s more scientific

Question 7

Strengths and weekends of quantitative data

Answer 7

Strengths
. trends can be easily identified.
. Large representative samples

Weaknesses
. Lacks verstehen
. Limited outcomes due to close-ended questions

Question 8

Different types of data - qualitative data

Answer 8

. Words , observations or reflections
. Gained through recording thoughts of others
. In-depth understanding
.verstehen

Interpretivists are more likely to use this as it gives insight on others

Question 9

Verstehen

Answer 9

Putting yourself in the shoes of others

You learn to feel how they feel by observing their behaviour

Question 10

Weaknesses and strengths of qualitative data

Answer 10

Strengths
. More insight - verstehen
. provides deeper more detailed data

Weaknesses
. Process Is very time consuming
. Data can be subjective - can be influenced by researcher’s assumptions or biases

Question 11

Considerations for research methods - PET -

Answer 11

. Practical
. Ethical
. Theoretical

.Practical - how they care it out
.Theoretical - scientific or not scientific , positivist or interpretationivist

Question 12

Considerations for research methods - PERVERT

Answer 12

. Practical
. Ethical
. Reliability
. Validity
. Example
. representativeness
. Theoretical

Validity - the success of study or research in terms of Desired goal

Question 13

Practical considerations

Answer 13

. Time
. Money
. Subject matter
. Research opportunities
. Personal skills and characteristics
. Requirements of funding bodies