Research Methods

Question 1

List 4 disadvantages of questionnaires

Answer 1

1) Impositional bias
2) Interviewer bias
3) People opt to lie
4) Leading questions

Question 2

1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for closed questionnaires

Answer 2

(+) Easy to analyse

(-) Limited answers

Question 3

1 advantage and 1 disadvantage for open questionnaires

Answer 3

(+) Gives insight/understanding

(-) Difficult to analyse

Question 4

List 4 advantages of questionnaires

Answer 4

1) Practical
2) Reliable
3) Large sample size
4) Confidential

Question 5

List 4 types of interviews

Answer 5

1) Structured
2) Unstructured
3) Semi-structured
4) Group

Question 6

Outline the concept of ‘triangulation’

Answer 6

Use of 2 research methods to gain full understanding of study

Question 7

List 3 advantages of interviews

Answer 7

1) Interviewer can explain questions/make sure it is clear
2) Provides rich information/insight
3) Reliable (structured interviews)

Question 8

List 5 disadvantages of interviews

Answer 8

1) Impositional bias
2) Interviewer bias
3) Lying interviewee
4) Leading questions
5) Group may conform to one person in groups answer when interviewed

Question 9

List 2 advantages of participant observation

Answer 9

1) Primary data

2) Rich information/gives insight

Question 10

List 6 disadvantages of participant observation

Answer 10

1) Time consuming
2) Small groups studied; can’t generalise
3) Chance of researcher “going native”
4) Unsafe for researcher
5) Observational bias
6) Low reliability (relies on memory)

Question 11

List 5 human ethical considerations

Answer 11

1) Right to withdraw
2) Deception
3) Protection from harm
4) Confidentiality
5) Informed consent

Question 12

Define ‘random sampling’

Answer 12

Picking names at random - everyone has equal chance of selection

Question 13

Define ‘systematic sampling’

Answer 13

Every nth name selected from the sample

Question 14

Define ‘stratified sampling’

Answer 14

Sample population divided by factors such as age, gender etc then people randomly selected from each factor

Question 15

Define ‘cluster sampling’

Answer 15

Random sampling of geographical locations split into zones or districts

Question 16

Define ‘quota sampling’

Answer 16

Sample population interviewed to see if they fulfil correct criteria

Question 17

Define ‘snowball sampling’

Answer 17

A sample becoming bigger through meeting/finding new people

Question 18

Define ‘volunteer sampling’

Answer 18

Members of sample self select themselves