Research Methods Flashcards

Question

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 1

One contact will recruit other participants to get involved in the research. Methods often used by sociologists for hard to reach groups

Answer 2

When a sample is gathered via participants putting themselves forward to be studied. Respondents are found though advertising (internet, shop window)

Answer 3

Where participants are gained by making the most of situations or opportunities in which research population is likely to be found

Answer 4

Choosing individuals or cases that fit the nature of the research

Answer 5

-particular set of assumptions about how the social world or society is organised and the appropriate way of studying it -treat people as objects whose behaviour can be directly observed, measured and counted in the same way as natural persona (animals, weather) -individuals are ‘puppets of society’ -use quantitative data -reliable and can be checked and replicated

Answer 6

Carrying out research in controlled conditions such as laboratories. Use sampling methods to keep distance from participants and ensure neutrality

Answer 7

-rejects positivist views and says that people are active, conscious beings with free will who are aware of what is going on in social situations and therefore capable of making choices on how to behave -understanding meanings -qualitative methods -high in validity -verstehen and rapport

Answer 8

Need to develop empathetic understanding to uncover the shared interactions and interpretations that make up society

Answer 9

Hawthorne effect Demand characteristics Social desirability bias Going native

Answer 10

Participants will behave differently if they know they are being observed =would not be valid

Answer 11

Participants change their behaviour based on their interpretation of the aims of the study (ether to please researcher or do the opposite of what they think is expected of them) =would not be valid

Answer 12

Occurs when parts of the study relate to social norms or expectations and participants want to present themselves in a socially acceptable way =would not be valid as participants are presenting themselves in a socially acceptable way

Answer 13

Where the researchers ceases to balance roles of the participant and observer and simply beings to participate like any other group member =causes bias as they are too involved so it would not be valid

Answer 14

Researcher bias Confirmation bias Interpretation bias Rapport

Answer 15

When the researcher’s beliefs or expectations influence the research design or data collection process =would not be valid + biased

Answer 16

Tendency to search for/interpret information in a way that confirms one’s prior beliefs =biased, not valid

Answer 17

-an information processing bias where a researcher may interpret the data in a way that the participant did not intend

Answer 18

Ease of the relationship between people - this case = researcher and their subjects

Answer 19

-time -cost -access -subject matter of research -social characteristics of those being researched

Answer 20

Set of principles of conduct that govern the behaviour of individuals and/or groups

Answer 21

British Sociological Association - social network that promotes sociology

Answer 22

-anonymity -confidentiality -right to withdraw -protection of vulnerable groups -privacy -informed consent -safeguarding

Answer 23

Practical - cheap = easy to access data on research of topic = increase representativeness of research as you will be able to collect data that reflects characteristics of group interested in Ethical- no participants are required = ethical guidelines set out by the BSA are easy to follow. Validity is no concern as content is accurately represented Theoretical - quantitative data + reliable = positivists favour

Answer 24

Counting the number of times a sign, symbol, word, picture etc is used within a media text

Answer 25

Practical - time consuming = cannot collect data on a large amount of content = reduce generalisability as not able to make wider claims about how a group is represented Ethical - can be a subjective approach + could analyse text out of context leading to emotional harm which would reduce validity Theoretical - intepretivists : statistics would provide little information about human stories or behaviour as no opinions are given = decrease validity

Answer 26

List of questions subject to self-completion. Questions can either be open or closed

Answer 27

Practical - can be distributed to large geographical area so sample is likely to access participants required for research = increase representativeness as it reflects characteristics of target population Ethical - subject to self-completion = informed consent is given which increases validity as the participants feel comfortable answering questions meaning they are more likely to be honest and give a true insight into the topic being researched Theoretical - standardised questions + potential to pre-code data = method is replicable and therefore more reliable = positivists like

Answer 28

Practical - questionnaires can have low response rates = reduces sample size + affects generalisability of the data as wider claims might not be made about whole population Ethical - sensitive nature of topic = emotional harm = could potentially lie and give socially desirable responses = impact validity as not a true insight Theoretical - standardised nature of questions = respondent may select nearest answer that describes situation but may not be fully relevant = respondents cannot explain meaning behind answers = interpretivists may dislike

Answer 29

Researcher reads a list of closed questions and ticks boxes of pre-coded responses

Answer 30

Practical - interviews are pre-arranged = allow access to participants + response rate is higher = increase representativeness of research as sample will reflect the characteristics of the target population Ethical - interviewer explains interviewer aims = participant feels more comfortable = rapport built up = encourages informed consent = increases validity as participants will answer more honestly Theoretical - closed + standardised = data is objective, numerical and therefore increases reliability as it is replicable + ensures data has value freedom from researchers’ own biases = positivists like this method

Answer 31

Practical - time consuming, difficult to access large sample of participants = impacts generalisability as wider claims can’t be made Ethical - questions could make participants feel uncomfortable = emotional harm + safeguarding issues . Lack of conservational flow = participants feel uncomfortable = feel right to withdraw + impacts answers as they are socially desirable responses so impacts validity Theoretical - interpretivists = dislike as it causes sensitive issues . Participants can’t expand = reduces validity = meaningful insight cannot be found =can be biased, researcher memory could be hazy

Answer 32

Researcher has some set questions however they are able to explore responses and ask extra questions if needed

Answer 33

Practical - pre-arranged interview = allows access = increases representativeness of research as sample reflects characteristics of target population Ethical - interviews have more chance for rapport to be built up = encourages informed consent = allows for more empathy and understanding of sensitive topics = better safeguarded so potentially feels more comfortable to answer honestly = increases validity Theoretical - interpretivists would like due to qualitative data being produced. Nature = flexible and Therese can be explored. In depth data gathered = increase in validity

Answer 34

Practical - time consuming = difficult to access a large sample of participants = impacts generalisability as wider claims can’t be made Ethical - uncomfortable questions lead to emotional harm and safeguarding issues = decrease validity as participants feel they have to produce socially desirable responses. Interviewer effect can also lead to this Theoretical - positivists would not like flexibility as they argue if rapport is built, interviewer becomes biased = lose objectivity = impact reliability as it is difficult to replicate

Answer 35

Researcher may have some themes to cover but no predetermined questions or themes that they should follow. Interviews take conversational flow

Answer 36

Theoretical - leads to in-depth data collection as interviewer can enquire and ask extra questions. Rapport and verstehen can also be built. = increases validity + liked by interpretivists Practical - interviews are pre-arranged = able to gain access = response rate is higher = higher representativeness as sample will reflect characteristics of target population Ethical - informed consent will be given and participants can build rapport between researcher and participants = conversational flow os no emotional harm. = genuinely comfortable = answer honestly so increases validity

Answer 37

Theoretical - positivists would not like the lack of structure of this method as if rapport builds, leads to bias and loss of objectivity and therefore impacts reliability of research as it becomes difficult to replicate Practical - interviews can be time consuming so only small sample is gathered = decrease generalisability as wider claims can’t be made Ethical - questions make respondent feel uncomfortable = emotional harm and safeguarding issue = decrease validity of research as the respondent may feel they have to provide socially desirable responses. Interviewer effect can also lead to this

Answer 38

Unstructured interview directed to a group of respondents who are encouraged to discuss with each other. Interviewer will set up themes and questions and manage the responses from participants

Answer 39

Theoretical - interpretivists would favour as in-depth discussions are encouraged. The questions target a specific group = they feel comfortable which increases validity Ethical - informed consent will be given and participants can build rapport = would not feel emotional harm due to relaxed environment = valid data Practical - focus group arranged = allows access to required participants = higher response rate and increases representativeness of research as sample will reflect characteristics of target population = no bias as little interference from sociologist

Answer 40

Theoretical - if rapport builds, interviewer can become biased and lose objectivity = reduce reliability as it will become difficult to replicate study in the same way. = positivists wont like method Ethical - respondents may feel uncomfortable with sensitive topics or if other respondents talk more = others feel uncomfortable or suffer emotional harm = decrease validity due to no input Practical - data recording + analysis = time consuming = sample size is likely to be smaller which decreases generalisability or results as wider claims can be made about whole population based on a small group of people

Answer 41

Participants know they are being studied but the researcher is not involved with the group being researched = qualitative data

Answer 42

Practical - researcher not involved in group meaning that it is fairly easy and cost effective method = researcher can gain access = increase representativeness and generalisability Ethical - participants know they are big observed = informed consent is likely to be gained = increases validity as the participants will be more informed and should feel more comfortable to behave normally Theoretical- interpretivists would favour as rich and in-depth insight can be gained = increases validity

Answer 43

Practical - observations can be fairly time consuming = researcher may not be able to carry out as many observations = reduce generalisability as wider claims cat be made based on a small number of observations Ethical - empathy and understanding reduced if participant feels uncomfortable being observed = my not display true behaviour = feel emotional harm = reduce validity of findings as behaviour may not be natural, may demonstrate social desirability Theoretical - positivists would not like this method as it is difficult to replicate = reliability reduced

Answer 44

Researcher is not fully participating it’s the group and the participants are unaware they are being studied. : qualitative data

Answer 45

Practical - researcher not involved = fairly easy and cost effective = researcher may be able to access more people to observe = increase representative and generalisability of research Ethical - researcher is unlikely to influence group studied = less risk of harm if they are not fully involved in the group = group is less likely to change their behaviour = increase validity Theoretical - interpretivists would favour as rich and in depth insight is gained = increase validity

Answer 46

Practical - observations = time consuming = researcher can’t carry out as many observations = reduce generalisability as wider claims can’t be made based on small number of observations Ethical - no informed consent can be given if participants don’t know they are being observed = searcher could hold prejudices / bias towards the group = decrease validity Theoretical - research would be hard to replicate = reduce reliability. Positivists would not like this method

Answer 47

Participants know they are being studied and the researcher is fully involved with the group being researched

Answer 48

Practical - participants know they are being observed + researcher part of observation = gain access = increase representativeness + generalisability Ethical - researcher can be fully immersed in the group = experience verstehen/understanding = true insight as they know they are being researched, BSA ethical guidelines are followed and informed consent = increase validity Theoretical - interpretivists favour as rich and in depth insight = increases validity

Answer 49

Practical - observations fairly time consuming = reader not able to carry out many observations = reduce generalisability as wider claims cannot be made based on small number of observations Ethical - participants may feel uncomfortable = emotional harm, may treat researcher like an outsider = reduce validty as May to act natural / act socially desirable. Researcher too involved = researcher bias = reduces validity Theoretical - positivists would not like method as it is difficult to replicate = reliability is reduced

Answer 50

Researcher is participating with the group and the participants are unaware they are being studied

Answer 51

Practical - researcher part of observation = gain access through discussion = increase representativeness and generalisability Ethical - researcher is fully immersed in group to be studied and expertise verstehen / understanding = true insight = increases validity as researcher can build up rapport = participants should feel more comfortable = less risk of emotional harm Theoretical - interpretivists would favour as rich and in - depth insight is gained = increase validity

Answer 52

Practical - observations can be time consuming = researcher can’t carry out as many observations = reduce generalisability as wider claims can’t be made based on small number of observations Ethical - no informed consent if participants don’t know they are being observed = researcher bias = reduce validity = higher possibility of going native or losing objectivity = decrease validity Theoretical - researcher would be hard to replicate reducing reliability = positivists would not like this method

Answer 53

Involves the researcher immersing themselves into natural setting of the social group being studied and participating in and observing their daily activities

Answer 54

Practical - immersing yourself = gain access = increase representativeness as researcher reflects characteristics of target population Ethical - allows researcher to gain informed consent from participants = increases validity = feel more comfortable so answer honestly Theoretical - preferred by interpretivists = rapport can be built and verstehen can be gained = allows researcher to access ‘lived experience’ of particular social groups = increases validity

Answer 55

Practical - time consuming = small sample researched = decrease generalisability Ethical - sensitive topics = emotional harm as participants feel uncomfortable = reduce validity , safeguarding issues if participant is under 18 = reduces validity. Researcher immersed = harmful for researcher = dangerous situation = go native or lose objectivity = decrease validity Theoretical - positivists do not favour because quantitative data is not gained = not objective or reliable = decrease reliability

Answer 56

Quantitative data collected by the government which is often gathered through other research methods such as questionnaires. Two of the biggest sources = Office for National Statistics and the Census

Answer 57

Practical - not time consuming, largely representative can be accessed = increase generalisability Ethical - official statistics = secondary data = following ethical guidelines s not an issue because research is already done. Data gathered by questionnaires = likely to be anonymous = responses are honest so increases validity Theoretical - positivists would like = very objective and has been collected in a systematic, scientific and standardised way = increases reliability as it can be replicated easily

Answer 58

Practical - may not represent whole picture, large sample = response rate can be low = reduce generalisability = wider claims cannot be made about whole population Ethical - official statistics = open to political abuse = manipulated to look better = leads to harm as some groups are misrepresented = validity is reduced Theoretical - quantitative data = tells us nothing Interpretivists would not like = low in validity as no verstehen

Answer 59

Quantitative data collected by a non-government source = often gathered through other research methods such as questionnaires

Answer 60

-easy and cheap to access -extremely up to date Large representative sample as gathered by surveys -trends over a long period of time can be seen

Answer 61

-may not represent compete picture -socially constructed = do not appear/happen -tell us very little about human stories / interpretations

Answer 62

Research designed to collect data on a sample (of people/documents) on at least 2 occasions. Generically aim to generate trends and patterns = quantitative data found

Answer 63

Practical - lengthy time = gain access Ethical- regular contact = create trust and rapport = increase validity = feel more comfortable so less risk of emotional harm Theoretical - positivists would favour due to numerical data = trends are gained which increases reliability = same/similar results are found

Answer 64

Practical - high drop out rate = Time consuming, participant may get bored = tracking sample can be complex = reduce generalisability Ethical - research is sensitive = emotional harm, participants may change answer = reduce validity Theoretical - interpretivists less likely to use method because it provides quantitative data = assess patterns and trends = low in validity = deeper explanations are not gained

Answer 65

Data carried out by someone else = quantitative or qualitative

Answer 66

Practical - extremely cheap + easy to access = method is reliable as it is scientific = easy to replicate Ethical - no participants are required = ethical guidelines set out by the BSA = easy to follow = increase reliability as easy to replicate Theoretical - positives would favour numerical data as it increases reliability of data same/similar results are achieved

Answer 67

Practical - statistics show trends but not explanations = validity is reduced : honest insight into social reality isn’t gained Ethical - statistics open to political ‘abuse’ = manipulated incorrectly = groups being researched are not presented fairly = impacts validity and causes harm + researcher has no control over data collected Theoretical - interpretivists say it provides little information about human stories or no behaviour has no feelings / opinions are given = decrease validity

Answer 68

Use of more than one method to cross check validity of the data being collected e.g to counter the bias of using a single method or to increase confidence in the findings

Answer 69

Practical - eliminates bias as range of methods = cross check data/findings = increases validity Ethical - participants are fully represented y different methods = reduces emotional harm = increases validity Theoretical - supported by positivists and interpretivists

Answer 70

Practical - time consuming = will potentially reduce sample size = reduce representativeness and generalisability Ethical - depending on methods, may be difficult to uphold some ethical guidelines = could impact validity of results

Answer 71

Generally used by interpretivists where they keep track of the strengths and weakness of the research to evaluate their work wit the aim of improving its validity

Answer 72

Practical - researcher thinks critically = ensures groups are examined effectively + gives true picture = increases validity -reflexive = reviewing how role affects validity = look out for issues surrounding interviewer effect = respondents change their responses and give socially desirable ones Theoretical - interpretivists would favour method as it aims to ensure a true insight into social reality = increase validity and verstehen about group is gained

Answer 73

Practical - time consuming = done on a regular basis = notes made about each time ensure it is done effectively Theoretical - positivists may not be interested in reflexivity as methods used are often objective = less likelihood of there being biases to influence their results

Answer 74

Technique to check results from participants viewpoint. Results are returned to participants to check it accurately reflects their experiences/views

Answer 75

Practical - researcher gain feedback from participants who were involves in event = check how behaviour was interpreted = avoids bias + improves validity = ensures accuracy Ethical - reduces emotional arm = participants able to check they they are being portrayed fairly and accurately = increase validity = accurate and fair representation of group being researched Theoretical - interpretivists favour due to allowing researcher to develop rapport and verstehen = increase validity and people are more likely to be honest = deeper insight into their life

Answer 76

Practical - time consuming, check findings = time spent more wisely = reduce generalisability of findings overall as researchers don’t have time = can’t make wider claims Ethical - could cause emotional harm = going over experiences = decrease validity as participants may change responses = lack of true insight Theoretical - positivists would dislike method = not objective or scientific = decrease reliability as can’t be replicated

Answer 77

Mixed method approach where method are coming to provide fuller more detailed and comprehensive picture of the topic

Answer 78

Theoretical - interpretivists prefer as gives in depth examination = comprehensive insight into study area Ethical - participants reflected more accurately = validity increased which reduces risk of emotional harm Practical - eliminates bias = get true understanding = increases validity

Answer 79

Theoretical - positivists dislike = using mixed method = no comprehensive understanding =like to produce qualitative data = cannot be analysed objectively = deuce reliability Ethical - depending on methods used, may be difficult to uphold ethical guidelines = could impact validity Practical - time consuming = reduce sample size = reduce representativeness + generalisability