Research Methods Flashcards
(22 cards)
what is non-participant observation
scheduled categories
pre determined
researcher records on spot eg. using tally
used by positivits
advanatges of non-participant observations
- simple, quick, cheap
-can gather data on spot so data is valid
-participants give consent
-less chance of bias (researcer not involved in group)
-produces quantatative data (cause-effect relationship)
-standarsised (can be repliacted to compare)
disadvanatges of non-particpant observations
-hawthorne effect (unreliabel, invalid data)
-lack of insight into actions
-researchers impose own meaning - craetes bias and misunderstands- invalid
what is participant observation
used by interpretivists
can include joining group/ observing
advantages of participant observations
-qualatative data, valid data
-observes in natural setting- valid
disadvanatges of particpant observation
-hawthorne effect
what is overt observation
identifies and aims is known to resposnadnts
advantages of overt observation
-free to ask questions so they don’t misunderstand
-freely take notes- data is valid
-consent is given
disadvantages of overt observation
-group under study may not let all of activitie sbe shown- cam be secretive
-hawthorne effecr- undermines validity of data
what is covert observation
identifies and purpose of researcer is hidden
advanatges of covert observation
-avoids risk of hawthorne effect
-ensure behaviour is normal
disadvanatges of covert observation
-have to be highly trained sociologist
-can’t openly take notes
-notes based on memory/ bias- invalid data
-true identity hidden
-unethical to decieve and lie
- may be involved in illegal activities
example of covert observation
glasgow gang observed-
went undercover as criminal gang memeber by pretending to find out reasion for violence
what is structured interview
formal
predetermined
not allowed ot repharse
same questions in same order
advantages of structured interviews
-training is easy
(willmott adn young employed 90 uni students to conduct interviews)
-simple, straightforward data
-quantative data(anaylse and compare)
-large represenataiveness and data (interviwed 955 people)
-reliable and standaraised (easy to replicate)
disadvantages of structured interviews
-data is limited (close ended qs)
-interview biad, lie- invalid
-can’t repharse so may misundertsnad
-unflexible- limits insight
-ethnicity,class, gender affects ans
-interprevists say it fails to discover verstehen
-graham (femisnist) argues that s interviews ae patrciarchal-interviwer in control-systematic nature imposes categories on women from elaborating answer
evaluate disadvantge of strcuture inetrviews
graham (feminist) says that s interviwes are patricahal
systematic nature imposes catergories on women and interviwer in cntrol/ higher position
limits them from elaborating answer
what is unstructured interview
informal
discovery interview
usually recorded and tarnscribed
topics can vary
advantages of unstructured interview
-intrerviewee in control so can talk abotu important/relevant data- provides more imsight
-interpretivist prefer as it discover sverhensten
-can establsih rapport - feel comfortable
-gather valid data from sensitive topics
(dobash dobash used research to intevriew victims of doemstic abuse to show empathy)
-highly flexible cam rerse for better undertsaning and valid data
example of unsturcted interview
dobash dobash used unsrcuure dinterviews to interview vcitms of domestci abuse to show empathy
disadvantages of unstructured interviews
-highly trained interviwer
-costly
-must have excellent interperosnal skills to establish rapport
-time-consuming so limits no. of respsonses
-affect represnstaveness
-bbias in inevitable
-hawthonre efefct- limits validity
-data varies os difficult to quantify cause and effect relationship (compare and anaylse)
what is semi-strcutured interviewes
