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Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

What is the first stage of sociological research?

A

Choosing a topic, issue, or problem to investigate—this may involve social problems, sociological problems, social group experiences, or social processes.

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2
Q

What is a social problem in sociological research?

A

A behaviour or issue seen as undesirable or harmful by society, requiring collective solutions. It often sparks public concern or policy response.

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3
Q

Give examples of social problems sociologists might research.

A

Knife crime among youth, wealth inequality affecting education access, and long-term unemployment’s effect on mental health.

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4
Q

How are social problems usually studied?

A

Through a positivist lens using quantitative methods like surveys and crime statistics.

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5
Q

What is a sociological problem?

A

A behaviour or phenomenon that requires explanation, whether seen as positive, negative, or neutral. It doesn’t have to be harmful.

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6
Q

Give examples of sociological problems.

A

High educational achievement in ethnic groups, religious growth in secular societies, and workplace collaboration in multinationals.

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7
Q

How are sociological problems typically studied?

A

Using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide well-rounded insights.

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8
Q

What are ‘experiences of social groups’ in topic selection?

A

Research that focuses on how specific social groups perceive and navigate their lives, often explored using interpretivist approaches.

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9
Q

Give examples of research into social group experiences.

A
  • Ann Oakley on women’s dual burden of work and housework
  • Paul Willis’s Learning to Labour on working-class boys
  • LGBTQ+ identity formation in different cultures
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10
Q

What are social processes in sociological research?

A

Patterns and dynamics that underpin social change, such as how behaviours or institutions evolve over time.

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11
Q

Give examples of social processes.

A
  • Globalisation’s impact on culture
  • Push/pull factors in migration
  • Effects of digital communication on youth relationships
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12
Q

What methods are often used to study social processes?

A

Mixed methods—quantitative data to identify patterns, and qualitative data for deeper understanding.

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13
Q

What factors influence the choice of research topic?

A

Personal interest, theoretical perspective, access and opportunity, funding availability, and ethical sensitivity.

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14
Q

How does personal interest influence topic choice?

A

Sociologists often study topics they are passionate about or have personal experience with (e.g. Paul Willis and education/class).

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15
Q

How does theoretical perspective influence research focus?

A

Different perspectives view issues differently:
- Functionalists see divorce as social dysfunction
- Marxists see it through class inequality
- Postmodernists see it as personal freedom

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16
Q

How do access and opportunity influence research?

A

Research may depend on gaining access to specific groups. Closed communities or hidden populations can be difficult to study.

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17
Q

How does funding availability shape research topics?

A

Funding bodies prioritize certain issues. For instance, post-9/11 terrorism research surged due to increased funding.

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18
Q

Why must researchers consider ethics in topic choice?

A

Sensitive topics (e.g. trauma survivors) may cause harm or distress to participants, and must be avoided or handled ethically.

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19
Q

Why do sociologists conduct background research?

A

To assess relevance, formulate hypotheses, avoid duplication, and secure funding.

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20
Q

How does background research help formulate hypotheses?

A

It builds on existing theories to predict outcomes. E.g. Durkheim predicted that more social integration lowers suicide risk.

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21
Q

How does background research help avoid duplication?

A

It ensures the study is original and not repeating previous research, also helping avoid plagiarism.

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22
Q

Why is background research important for funding?

A

It shows funders the researcher understands the field and can contribute something new.

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23
Q

What determines whether a sociologist uses a hypothesis or research question?

A

Their theoretical perspective—positivists use hypotheses; interpretivists use open-ended questions.

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24
Q

What is a hypothesis and who favours it?

A

A specific, testable prediction based on prior knowledge. Favoured by positivists.
Example: Milgram predicted participants would obey authority even when harming others.

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25
What is a research question and who uses it?
An open-ended inquiry used to explore meanings and experiences. Favoured by interpretivists. Example: Ann Oakley asked women about housework experiences.
26
Why is choosing the right methodology important?
It affects the study’s alignment with aims, practical feasibility, ethics, theoretical integrity, and data quality.
27
How do research objectives affect method choice?
A study on social attitudes may use interviews; a study on crime trends may use surveys or official stats.
28
What are practical constraints on method selection?
Time, money, and access to participants (e.g. fieldwork is costlier than secondary analysis).
29
How does theoretical perspective influence methods?
- Positivists favour quantitative, scientific methods (surveys, stats) - Interpretivists favour qualitative, personal methods (interviews, observation)
30
What is triangulation in research?
Using multiple methods or sources to improve reliability and validity. Helps offset limitations of any single method.
31
Why is a sampling frame important in research?
It ensures: 1. Representativeness 2. Feasibility 3. Bias reduction E.g. studying inequality needs a socioeconomically diverse sample.
32
What is a pilot study?
A small-scale trial run of a research design to identify flaws and improve validity/reliability before the full study.
33
Example of a pilot study in sociology?
Milgram’s obedience study was first piloted in the U.S. before he abandoned plans to replicate it in Germany.
34
What are primary methods of data collection?
Original data collection from participants—e.g. interviews, observations, surveys.
35
Example of primary data collection?
Peter Townsend used surveys and interviews to study relative deprivation in the UK.
36
What are secondary methods in sociology?
Using existing data such as official stats, media reports, or previous research.
37
Example of secondary data in sociological research?
Hall et al.’s Policing the Crisis used crime stats and media to explore moral panic about mugging.
38
What is quantitative data analysis?
Using statistics to identify patterns and causal relationships. Example: Durkheim used suicide stats to link integration and regulation with suicide rates.
39
What is qualitative data analysis?
Interpreting non-numerical data (e.g. interviews, texts) to explore meanings and themes.
40
What happens in the conclusion and evaluation stage?
Researchers interpret findings and assess their study’s strengths, weaknesses, ethics, and limitations.
41
What example shows drawing sociological conclusions?
Durkheim concluded that low social integration or regulation increases suicide risk.
42
Why is evaluation important?
It identifies methodological flaws, ethical concerns, or sampling bias. E.g. Zimbardo’s prison study raised ethical issues about participant harm.
43
What is peer review in sociological research?
The process where experts evaluate a study before it’s published to ensure academic quality.
44
Why is peer review important?
1. Ensures quality and rigour 2. Identifies flaws or bias 3. Enhances credibility 4. Promotes ethical standards
45
Example of peer review improving research quality?
Durkheim’s Suicide underwent peer scrutiny to validate its statistical methods and interpretations.
46
What is the first stage of sociological research?
Choosing a topic, issue, or problem to investigate—this may involve social problems, sociological problems, social group experiences, or social processes.
47
What is a social problem in sociological research?
A behaviour or issue seen as undesirable or harmful by society, requiring collective solutions. It often sparks public concern or policy response.
48
Give examples of social problems sociologists might research.
Knife crime among youth, wealth inequality affecting education access, and long-term unemployment’s effect on mental health.
49
How are social problems usually studied?
Through a positivist lens using quantitative methods like surveys and crime statistics.
50
What is a sociological problem?
A behaviour or phenomenon that requires explanation, whether seen as positive, negative, or neutral. It doesn’t have to be harmful.
51
Give examples of sociological problems.
High educational achievement in ethnic groups, religious growth in secular societies, and workplace collaboration in multinationals.
52
How are sociological problems typically studied?
Using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide well-rounded insights.
53
What are ‘experiences of social groups’ in topic selection?
Research that focuses on how specific social groups perceive and navigate their lives, often explored using interpretivist approaches.
54
Give examples of research into social group experiences.
- Ann Oakley on women’s dual burden of work and housework - Paul Willis’s Learning to Labour on working-class boys - LGBTQ+ identity formation in different cultures
55
What are social processes in sociological research?
Patterns and dynamics that underpin social change, such as how behaviours or institutions evolve over time.
56
Give examples of social processes.
- Globalisation’s impact on culture - Push/pull factors in migration - Effects of digital communication on youth relationships
57
What methods are often used to study social processes?
Mixed methods—quantitative data to identify patterns, and qualitative data for deeper understanding.
58
What factors influence the choice of research topic?
Personal interest, theoretical perspective, access and opportunity, funding availability, and ethical sensitivity.
59
How does personal interest influence topic choice?
Sociologists often study topics they are passionate about or have personal experience with (e.g. Paul Willis and education/class).
60
How does theoretical perspective influence research focus?
Different perspectives view issues differently: - Functionalists see divorce as social dysfunction - Marxists see it through class inequality - Postmodernists see it as personal freedom
61
How do access and opportunity influence research?
Research may depend on gaining access to specific groups. Closed communities or hidden populations can be difficult to study.
62
How does funding availability shape research topics?
Funding bodies prioritize certain issues. For instance, post-9/11 terrorism research surged due to increased funding.
63
Why must researchers consider ethics in topic choice?
Sensitive topics (e.g. trauma survivors) may cause harm or distress to participants, and must be avoided or handled ethically.
64
Why do sociologists conduct background research?
To assess relevance, formulate hypotheses, avoid duplication, and secure funding.
65
How does background research help formulate hypotheses?
It builds on existing theories to predict outcomes. E.g. Durkheim predicted that more social integration lowers suicide risk.
66
How does background research help avoid duplication?
It ensures the study is original and not repeating previous research, also helping avoid plagiarism.
67
Why is background research important for funding?
It shows funders the researcher understands the field and can contribute something new.
68
What determines whether a sociologist uses a hypothesis or research question?
Their theoretical perspective—positivists use hypotheses; interpretivists use open-ended questions.
69
What is a hypothesis and who favours it?
A specific, testable prediction based on prior knowledge. Favoured by positivists. Example: Milgram predicted participants would obey authority even when harming others.
70
What is a research question and who uses it?
An open-ended inquiry used to explore meanings and experiences. Favoured by interpretivists. Example: Ann Oakley asked women about housework experiences.
71
Why is choosing the right methodology important?
It affects the study’s alignment with aims, practical feasibility, ethics, theoretical integrity, and data quality.
72
How do research objectives affect method choice?
A study on social attitudes may use interviews; a study on crime trends may use surveys or official stats.
73
What are practical constraints on method selection?
Time, money, and access to participants (e.g. fieldwork is costlier than secondary analysis).
74
How does theoretical perspective influence methods?
- Positivists favour quantitative, scientific methods (surveys, stats) - Interpretivists favour qualitative, personal methods (interviews, observation)
75
What is triangulation in research?
Using multiple methods or sources to improve reliability and validity. Helps offset limitations of any single method.
76
Why is a sampling frame important in research?
It ensures: 1. Representativeness 2. Feasibility 3. Bias reduction E.g. studying inequality needs a socioeconomically diverse sample.
77
What is a pilot study?
A small-scale trial run of a research design to identify flaws and improve validity/reliability before the full study.
78
Example of a pilot study in sociology?
Milgram’s obedience study was first piloted in the U.S. before he abandoned plans to replicate it in Germany.
79
What are primary methods of data collection?
Original data collection from participants—e.g. interviews, observations, surveys.
80
Example of primary data collection?
Peter Townsend used surveys and interviews to study relative deprivation in the UK.
81
What are secondary methods in sociology?
Using existing data such as official stats, media reports, or previous research.
82
Example of secondary data in sociological research?
Hall et al.’s Policing the Crisis used crime stats and media to explore moral panic about mugging.
83
What is quantitative data analysis?
Using statistics to identify patterns and causal relationships. Example: Durkheim used suicide stats to link integration and regulation with suicide rates.
84
What is qualitative data analysis?
Interpreting non-numerical data (e.g. interviews, texts) to explore meanings and themes.
85
What happens in the conclusion and evaluation stage?
Researchers interpret findings and assess their study’s strengths, weaknesses, ethics, and limitations.
86
What example shows drawing sociological conclusions?
Durkheim concluded that low social integration or regulation increases suicide risk.
87
Why is evaluation important?
It identifies methodological flaws, ethical concerns, or sampling bias. E.g. Zimbardo’s prison study raised ethical issues about participant harm.
88
What is peer review in sociological research?
The process where experts evaluate a study before it’s published to ensure academic quality.
89
Why is peer review important?
1. Ensures quality and rigour 2. Identifies flaws or bias 3. Enhances credibility 4. Promotes ethical standards
90
Example of peer review improving research quality?
Durkheim’s Suicide underwent peer scrutiny to validate its statistical methods and interpretations.

sociology (10 decks)

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