Research Methods

Question 1

Define Reliability

Answer 1

Whether you get the same results when you repeat the experiment

Question 2

Define Validity

Answer 2

True and accurate picture of what you are measuring

Question 3

Define Ethics

Answer 3

Guidelines that define conduct and protect the welfare of participants

Question 4

Define Primary Data

Answer 4

Information collected by sociologists for their own research, using experiments, observations or social surveys

Question 5

Define Secondary Data

Answer 5

Information collected or created by someone else, which sociologists can also use in their research

Question 6

Define Quantitative Data

Answer 6

Type of data that involves use of numbers

Question 7

Define Qualitative Data

Answer 7

Type of data that relies on descriptions

Question 8

Define Observations

Answer 8

A research method that involve the researcher observing people’s behaviour in their natural environment which can be either disclosed (overt) or undisclosed (covert) to participants

Question 9

Define Questionnaires

Answer 9

A research method that involves asking people about their attitude, beliefs or experiences either in writing or verbally

Question 10

Define Experiments

Answer 10

A research method in which researchers manipulate situations to measure differences in people’s behaviour either in controlled environment (laboratory) or natural environment (field)

Question 11

List 6 Practical Factors

Answer 11

Requirements of funding bodies
Personal skills and characteristics of the researcher
Subject Matter
Research Opportunity
Access
Harm to Researcher

Question 12

List 5 Ethical Issues

Answer 12

Informed Consent
Confidentiality and Privacy
Protection from harm (participants)
Vulnerable Groups
Covert Research

Question 13

List 4 Theoretical Issues

Answer 13

Validity
Reliability
Representativeness
Methodological Perspective

Question 14

How is Personal skills and characteristics of researcher a practical factor?

Answer 14

Not all sociologists would feel comfortable infiltrating groups (Venkatesh) and may feel that they don’t have the necessary attributes to do this. They may instead prefer to use interviews/ questionnaires

Question 15

How is Access a practical factor?

Answer 15

Some groups are harder to study using particular methods than others. For example, making use of questionnaires may not be the best method to use when researching members of society who did not complete school

Question 16

How is Funding Body Requirements a practical factor?

Answer 16

The government may fund a piece of research into the impact of free school meals on achievement in the working class, therefore the sociologist would have to ensure the research meets the requirements of those who fund it

Question 17

How is Money a practical factor?

Answer 17

The access to funds may limit the choices that a researcher has when choosing the method they will use to research a topic.

Question 18

How is Time a practical factor?

Answer 18

The opportunity to carry out research can sometimes happen very quickly which could impact the length of time the researcher had to plan research. This would therefore impact on the method used.

Question 19

How is the Subject Matter a practical factor?

Answer 19

Venkatesh in his research of a Chicago gang took years, not all sociologists have this luxury and may use other research methods.

Question 20

How is Harm to Researcher a practical factor?

Answer 20

The researcher decides to put themselves in the position so they are aware of the risk

Question 21

Define informed consent

Answer 21

The participant has to know the aims of the investigation

Question 22

Define confidentiality and privacy

Answer 22

Any answers or results that come from a participant must be kept from everyone else because not everybody will want to be named or people to know their views on certain topics.

Question 23

Define Protection from harm (participants)

Answer 23

If there is a risk that the participants are going to be harmed then this would be breaching ethical guidelines.

Question 24

Define vulnerable groups

Answer 24

Vulnerable groups like young people or people with physical and mental illnesses may be unable to understand the aims of the research therefore they may also not be able to give informed consent.

Question 25

Define covert research

Answer 25

If it is a covert research then the participants will be unaware that they are being researched therefore they can’t give informed consent as they don’t know the aims of the research.

Question 26

Define representativeness

Answer 26

The research has to be representative of the target population (the sample that is being researched). If it isn’t then the research doesn’t apply to the majority.

Question 27

Define methodological perspective

Answer 27

This is whether you are positivist or interpretivist.

Question 28

What do interpretivists look for in their research?

Answer 28

Individuals.
Verstehen (human empathy).
Qualitative Data.
Validity.
Rich Data.
Paul Willis, study of the lads

Question 29

What do positivists look for in their research?

Answer 29

Scientific.
Quantitative Data.
Objective.
Generalised.
Reliability.
Representative.
Trends and patterns.
Durkheim's study of suicide.