RM Key concepts

Question 1

What is Qualitative data?

Answer 1

Any data which produces textual and detailed information; helps you understand what you are looking at

Question 2

What is Quantitative data?

Answer 2

Any data which produces numerical data, which can reveal patterns and trends; is quick and cheap

Question 3

What is primary data?

Answer 3

Data is collected by the sociologist for their specific research good as it is specific to the research.

Question 4

What is secondary data?

Answer 4

Data that is already collected and available to sociologists; which saves time and is more efficient.

Question 5

What is validity?

Answer 5

Research gives a true and accurate picture of what is being studied .

Question 6

What is reliability?

Answer 6

If the same research were carried out, the results produced would be the same - it should be reproducible.

Question 7

What is representativness?

Answer 7

The sample selected is a fair reflection of the target population, reflecting certain characteristics like gender or ethnicity.

Question 8

What is generalisability?

Answer 8

Being able to make claims about the wider target population from findings to conclude.

Question 9

What are pilot studies?

Answer 9

Small-scale practices for the main research can give early warning signs of any problems that may arise in the main research, like ethical problems.