Research Methods And Theory Flashcards
(15 cards)
Give examples of practical strengths and limitations?
Cheap, ease of access, open record of data
Needing certain skills, time consuming, cost of resources
Give examples of ethical strengths and limitations?
Informed consent, protecting vulnerable groups, lack of deception, right to withdraw
Harm to participants, covert research, power imbalance
Give examples of theoretical strengths and limitations?
Reliability, observed in a natural setting, representativeness
validity, hawthorn effect,gatekeepers
What are questionnaires and what are the strengths and limitations ?
- quantitative research method that involves asking respondents a series of standardised written question.
Practical
+ quick and cheap, - low response rate- reduces amount of data
Ethical
+ informed consent - sensitive topics
Theoretical
+ objectivity-reduced bias, limited contact- positivists - misinterpretation
What are structured interviews + give strengths and limitations?
Type of quantitative research method used method where the interviewer ass each participant the same set of pre-determined questions
Practical
+quick - follow fixed script- large samples
- less flexible
Ethical
+informed consent
- power imbalance - intimidating
Theoretical
+objectivity
-lack of depth/ meaning- interpretivists
What are unstructured interviews + give strength and limitations?
- qualitative research method where interview has no set question but follows topic to allow for natural talk
Practical
+flexible
-time consuming
Ethical
+informed consent
-emotional distress/ power imbalance
Theoretical
+validity- captures meanings
-no large sample size
What are semi-structured interviews + what are the strenghts and limitations ?
- qualitative research that combines a set of prepared questions with flexibility to explore depth
Practical
+flexible but focused
- time consuming
Ethical
+informed consent
-emotional distress
Theoretical
+validity- meanings captured
-subjectivity- depends on interviewer interpretation
What are group interviews + what are the strengths and limitations?
Research method where an interviewer talks to a small group of people together to explore their views
Practical
+natural social setting
- recording difficulties- overlapping talk
Ethical
+ informed consent
-peer pressure
Theoretical
+validity- captures social interaction
-potential bias- domination, silencing others- limiting representativeness
What is non participant observation?
Research observes the group without taking part
Practical
+ observed in natural setting
-observer bias
Ethical
+less intrusive- doesn’t interfere with activities
- deception if covert
Theoretical
+reliability- detachment can make observations easier to replicate
-Hawthorne effect if overt
What is participant observation and what are the strengths/ limitations?
-researcher takes part in group activities whilst observing it
Practical
+ access to in depth data- gain understanding
- time consuming
Ethical
+informed consent if overt
-deception if covert
Theoretical
+validity- first hand experiences to meanings
-low representativeness- small specific groups- hard to generalise
What is overt observation?
Participants are aware that they are being observed
Practical
+ open note taking
-time consuming Ethical
Ethical
+builds trust
-consent from vulnerable groups- may require parental approval
Theoretical
+observed in natural setting
-Hawthorne effect
What is covert observation + what’s are the strengths/ limitations?
Study is carried out ‘under cover’- takes on false identity
Practical
+access hidden interactions
-time consuming
Ethical
+ uncovers real issues
- deception
Theoretical
+validity- no Hawthorne effect
-researcher bias- attachment, affects objectivity
What is official statistics and what are the strengths/ limitations?
Quantitative data gathered by government or other official bodies. E.g births, deaths
Practical
+easily accessible
- may not fit researchers needs- limited needs
Ethical
+non intrusive
-may misinterpretate- stigmatise/ label, - discrimination
Theoretical
+representative- large samples
-low validity- may not reflect true meaning- underreport
What are documents and what are the strengths/limitations?
Refers to any written text, such as diaries, letters
Practical
+easy access- public online
-hard to confirm if they are genuine
Ethical
+no risk of harm- unaffected
- confidentiality concerns- no permission can breach privacy
Theoretical
+reflects culture, values of institution
- potential bias-left out info
