Research Methods Flashcards
(13 cards)
What does ethics refer to in sociological research?
Ethics refers to moral issues of right and wrong.
What is informed consent?
Participants should be offered the right to refuse involvement and be informed about all elements of the research.
What does confidentiality and privacy entail in research?
Researchers should keep the identity of participants secret and respect their privacy.
What is one potential harm to participants in sociological research?
Possible side effects include police intervention, harm to employment, social exclusion, and psychological damage.
What special care should researchers take when studying vulnerable groups?
Special care should be taken for groups vulnerable due to age, disability, or mental/physical health.
Fill in the blank: Covert research is when the researcher’s identity and purpose is _______.
[hidden from the people being studied]
What is a key ethical issue with covert research?
It can lead to deceiving or lying to obtain information.
What does validity mean in the context of research methods?
Validity means producing a true and genuine picture of what something is really like.
Which type of methods tend to provide a more valid account?
Qualitative methods.
What is reliability in research?
Reliability refers to the replicability of research results.
What type of data tends to produce more reliable results?
Quantitative data.
True or False: Informed consent should be obtained after the research begins.
False.
What are the five key ethical guidelines set out by the British Sociological Association?
- Informed Consent
- Confidentiality and Privacy
- Harm to Participants
- Vulnerable Groups
- Covert Research
