Research Methods - Lessons 11-16 Flashcards
(26 cards)
Types of questionnaires
Structured and unstructured
What does a structured questionnaire include?
Closed questions and fixed answers with 3 main principles
- Exhaustiveness
- Exclusiveness
- Balancing
Favoured by positivists, uses Quantitative data
What does an unstructured questionnaire include?
Open questions that the respondents can answer with their own words.
Favoured by Interpretive sociologists
Uses qualitative data
What does a semi structured questionnaire include?
Closed and open questions, Favoured by realists, collects qualitative and quantitative data
What are types of administration for questionnaires?
Self completion by post, Internet based, Hand delivered, Face to Face on the street
Bryman (2004) Self completion questionnaires by post
1) Includes good cover letter that explains research
2) Uses stamped addressed envelopes so it’s easy to return
3) Follow up people who don’t respond
4) Keep it short
5) Make instructions and layout as clear as possible
6) Begin with interesting questions
7) Personalise letters by signing them
8) Include a small payment as an incentive
What is important to ensure in a structured interview?
1) To locate and secure the respondents cooperation
2) To motivate and guide the interviewee
3) To ask questions clearly
4) To carefully record answers in accordance with instructions
5) To maintain a rapport with the interviewee
6) To place questions in a sensible order
What are the disadvantages of a structured interview?
Interviewer effect, Social desirability bias, Researchers have to avoid becoming familiar with the interviewee so it’s reliable, Willing participants may be similar so not representative, Costly, Only a snap shot in time so not reliable
What are the advantages of a structured interview?
Quick and easy to administer so large sample size can be used, higher response rate so more reliable, Results can be easily compared and measured, Less social interaction, Less social interaction so less bias
What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?
Data has low reliability, Time consuming, Lacks representativeness, Cause and) effect not established, Interviewer bias, Social desirability bias
What are the advantages of an unstructured interview? High validity
High validity, Good rapport, Sensitive topics treated with empathy, Interviewed has some control, Questions can be clarified, Verstehen and insight gained
What are the advantages of a semi structured interview?
Qualitative and Quantitative data used, Reliability from planned questions, Can be quick
What are the disadvantages of a semi structured interview?
Validity limited, Reliability limited, Can be time consuming
Content analysis
A systematic analysis of the contents of documents where themes and categories are counted in terms of occurrence. Can turn quantitative data into qualitative data.
What are the stages of content analysis?
- Choosing appropriate document to analyse
- Breaking it into smaller units
- Deciding on relevant categories
- Counting how often each category occurs
- Analysing findings in terms of frequency and patterns
- Turning quantitative data into qualitative data
What are the advantages of content analysis?
Uses a mixed method approach, Is ethical as information is available, Inexpensive to conduct
What are the disadvantages of content analysis?
Very time consuming, Uses a subjective approach, Disregards context of the data
What are the types of observation?
Covert and Overt
Covert observation
When sociologist aims to observe a group or person and doesn’t reveal their identity and covers it.
What are the advantages of covert observation?
High ecological validity
No demand characteristics
What are the disadvantages of covert observation?
It is unethical due to no informed consent and deception.
Difficult to gain access to a group
Overt observation
When sociologist aims to observe a person or group and reveals their identity and the sociologist tells the participants they are a researcher who wishes to observe their behaviour and the identity is open
What are the advantages of overt observation?
Sociologist is being more ethical
Doesn’t have to make an effort to fit in
Participant observation
Sociologists join a group and observe a group of people, they participate in their daily activities and observe what people say and do