RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards
2 strengths of close ended questionnaires as a research method(6 marks)
It is easy to codify answers, because it allows researchers to easily convert responses into quantifiable data. Gaining information this way enables the collection of large amounts of data.
It is in a standardised format, because everyone answers the same question. It increases reliability as the research is been done. consistently.
2 limitations of close ended questionnaires as a research method
Limited scope inquiry. The format makes it difficult for the researcher to help if the respondent does not understand a question properly. It affects the validity of the data given. There is also lack of depth and detail. They restrict participants with pre-determined response options. It affects the generalizability of results as there is no way of knowing if everyone had the same meaning as others.
2 practical factors that can influence choice of research(8)
Time taken, some research methods take much longer than others, example longitudinal studies, they work out trends and patterns over time. Opportunity and access, some methods may require special requirements than others, example is participant observation, some groups such as defensive groups are difficult to enter and observe because gaining access is hard.
2 limitations of using overt approach to participant observation.
great potential for Hawthorne effect,
because participants may alter their behaviour as the know they are being observed. Reduces validity of the data as it will no longer accurately reflect the information the researcher is looking for. Less chances of gaining accurate data, because of the practical issue of noting down data collected from the observation is hard as the researcher engages with the participant’s everyday life. Affects validity of data as the researcher may forget to not everything down.
2 strengths of using overt approach to participant observation
Prioritises ethical considerations, this is because the researcher is honest by revealing to the participant the clear intentions of their observation. It makes the data more valid as the observer will have permission to get a closer experience of what is being researched on. Has great potential for access. The researcher is openly identifying themselves which can help gain access to groups that are hesitant making them more willing to share. It reduces the practical issue of accessibility.
2 ethical issues associated with research(8)
Consent, researcher should have the right to decide whether or not they want to get be involved in the research, covert observation, people do not know they are being observed and therefore unable to give their consent. Legal considerations, researcher should decide if it is ethical to research something that can involve observing or participating in illegal behaviour, some point during Venkatesh’s study a gang leader for a day, he completely acted like them. Researchers may choose to avoid immersive methods such as participant observation when studying criminal behaviour
Strengths of official statistics(6)
Removes the practical issues of time and money by using existing data, because they are produced by governments who have resources to conduct surveys on a large scale. Strength because a large sample is likely to be more generalizable. Conducted on a regular basis, because they show trends and patterns over time, strength as it makes the data a product of a reliable method because it is systematic according to positivists.
2 limitations of official statistic(6)
Sample bias, because it is interpreted by researchers who decide what the data means, reduces objectivity of the data as it is not conducted in a systematic manner.
Lacks context and detail, because it provides an overview of trends and patterns overall so it may fail to capture the complexities within different social groups. Limitation as it affects the validity of the data as there is less depth into the information found.
2 characteristics of the positivist approach to sociological research
Emphasis on objectivity, positivist believe that research should be done in a systematic manner to avoid bias, they prefer quantitative research rather than qualitative, quantitative research involves numbers that can be systematically analysed to show cause and effect. It prefers the use of scientific methods, want to collect data that enables comparisons across groups and over time, their preference to experimental methods such as laboratory experiments because it allows you to collect scientific data from your study group. An experimental method allows you to test a hypothesis making it scientific
2 strengths of structured interviews(6)
High in reliability, respondents will be answering the same questions making it easy to repeat the research, research can be replicated by other researchers to check findings. Has an ease of analysis, the structured format of the interview simplifies the analysis process, the data objective because it is done in a systematic manner.
2 limitations of structured interviews
Has potential for interview effect, because participants may feel pressured to provide answers, they think the researcher wants to make a good impression. It makes the data less valid as it is not an accurate depiction of how they behave in a natural environment. It is inflexible, the interviewer has already decided what is important which may clash with what the interviewer thinks is important. A limitation is that it makes the research not objective because the research has interpreted it subjectively instead of using facts.
2 ways in which researcher values may lead to bias in research findings
The collection of data,the researchers values may influence
2 limitations of using postal questionnaire as a research method
Low response rate, the method relies on respondents actively return the questionnaire. If people do not return them it will lead to a sample likely to be unrepresentative of the target population. Little opportunity to expand on answers and give more detail. The research limits the responses that can be given by putting pre-coded questions. It affects the validity as it does not allow the respondent to develop an answer beyond the categories.
2 ways research might be affected by how it is funded
Amount of money available, as some research methods are more expensive than others, example case studies, it takes long as you are studying a single group for a long period of time so you may need a large funding source. Funder’s interest may affect the objectivity, funder’s may have their own agendas or biases that they want in the research to support, government are more likely to sponsor research that is linked to social issues, this can influence how the research is conducted and reported making it less objective .
Strengths of using qualitative secondary data in research.
Provides information that may otherwise be unavailable. Qualitative data such as personal diaries can provide access to information about the past. It reduces the practical issues of time and money as researcher as using existing sources such as personal diaries to collect data. Allows researcher to gain in depth data, documentary evidence provide rich and contextual information that can offer a deep understanding about social processes and experiences. Increases validity according to interpretivists because it is in great detail and depth.
2 limitations of qualitative secondary research
Difficult to authenticate some historical documents such as Scott. You may not be sure who actually wrote the document. A limitation because data may not show a true picture decreasing its validity. Potential for bias and subjectivity, due to how the data is open interpretations and the data may not have the same meaning now as when it was first produced, particularly if the meaning is unclear. To positivists it makes it less objective as subjective interpretations introduce biases that hinder the scientific rigour of the research.
strengths of content analysis
It is high in reliability. This is because it uses a coding system which can be easily replicated by another researcher. It makes sure that when the same research is repeated by another researcher the results will be the same making it highly reliable. Identifies underlying themes and patterns encoded in representations. It has a systematic and quantitative approach to uncover hidden messages and patterns. It increases validity because it helps us understand the valuable insights into the ideas and norms of our society.
2 practical factors to consider when conducting observational studies.
How to take notes or record the data being observed. If the researcher is taking part in activities it can be hard to record accurately what is happening which can decrease the validity of the data. Participant observation, building relationship with the group being observed by taking part can restrict note taking.
2 practical factors to consider when conducting observational studies. pt two
Gaining access to the group you want to observe can be hard, researcher needs to ensure that they are conducted in an ethical and effective manner to make it objective, Venkatesh was able to gain access to a gang group because a gang leader sponsored and protected him during observation. Researchers must strategize on how to gain access so that they don’t have to choose an alternative group to modify their research design.
limitations of content analysis
Potential for researcher bias. Different researchers may interpret and code the same content differently due to subjective understandings. Research is less objective as coding categories may be affected by subjective judgement. Lacks context may affect generalisability of research. It only collects a quantitative tally of frequency making it harder to interpret the meanings behind the analysis. Since it has a lack of context it can affect the interpretation of the data so it may not represent the diversity of perspectives and experiences making it less generalizable.
2 ways sociological research may be affected by research bias.
The conduct of research. When researchers interact with respondents their presence and behaviour can cause effects such as the interviewer effect. A researcher is conducting an interview on a sensitive topic like drug use and the researcher displays judgement it may cause the respondent to alter their response to make it socially desirable. Researchers own bias has led to biased data due to their behaviour towards the respondent decreasing the validity and objectivity of the data.
2 ways sociological research may be affected by research bias.
Theoretical factors of personal values of the sociologists. A researcher’s interests may influence the decisions they make about choice of topic. An example is a feminist sociologist because they believe in feminism, they want to improve the position of society. They would sympathise with the woman they are studying making the research lose its objectivity.
2 strengths of unstructured interviews
Flexible, they do not have a standardised form which allows for further explanation of a topic or issue and clarifications. Likely to increase the validity of the data. More suited for sensitive topics due to rapport and trust. The conversational nature of the interview helps establish a trusting relationship with the respondent. It enables researchers to understand what people really think and feel increasing the validity of the data.
2 limitations of unstructured interviews
Has potential for interviewer effect. It allows open ended questions where researcher bias may influence the direction of the interview. A limitation because it affects the objectivity of the data collected due to how the research is conducted. Practical factor of being time consuming. The time and cost of conducting them means that only a small number of interviews take place. The small sample size raises problems of generalizability.
2 features of the interpretivist approach to research
Put emphasis on subjective understanding. They believe that social reality is constructed through the meanings and interpretations that individuals give to their experience. They would favour unstructured interviews over structured interviews. unstructured interviews give people the freedom to explain the reasons behind their actions.
2 features of the interpretivist approach to research
Rejects the use of scientific methods and its use of quantitative data. They want to gain verstehen by gaining in depth quality data about an individual’s experiences.
They prefer qualitative methods over quantitative methods. Qualitative methods allow researchers to gain in depth data about their research which is what they want as they care more about validity than objectivity.
2 strengths of using questionnaires as a research method.
There is less research bias, it can be completed without the presence of the researcher. Less likely to influence the respondent making the research objective. High in reliability. Questionnaires like postal have a standardised format. Everyone answers the same questions so the research can be replicated which increases reliability
2 limitations of using questionnaires as a research method.
Has a low response rate. People might have privacy concerns lack of motivation and may not have accessibility. Reduces generalisability if the sample chosen does not respond. Less likely to give in depth data. Closed questions are used, and they do not allow respondents to answer in detail. You are unable to gain an in depth understanding which can decrease the validity of the research.
