RM research procces Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the first key stage in the research process?
Select a Topic/Devise an Aim
What must researchers do after selecting a topic?
Conduct Secondary Research/Operationalise Concepts
What is the importance of operationalising concepts in research?
Essential for the validity of the research
What factors may influence the choice of research topic?
- Relationship between sociology and social policy
- Interest and values of the researcher
- Current debates in the academic world
- Funding
- Access to research subjects
True or False: A hypothesis must be a clear prediction with key concepts operationalised.
True
What does it mean to operationalise a concept?
To define it so that you can accurately measure it
Give an example of a simple concept that can be operationalised.
Disabled people: People with a registered mental or physical disability
What is an example of a complex concept that requires operationalisation?
Religious belief: The extent to which one has a strong belief in a supernatural power
What is a gatekeeper?
A person who has contact with a relevant or appropriate set of individuals who are involved with the sociologist.
Which groups are difficult to access, which gatekeepers are essential for?
Victims of domestic abuse
Organised criminal gangs.
What is a target population?
The group of people you want to research
What is random sampling?
& it’s strengths/ weaknesses
Selecting research subjects randomly, so every member has a chance to be included.
e.g. drawing names from a hat
Strength:
No bias - equal chance to be picked
Weakness:
Unrepresentative
What is non-random sampling?
When the target population didn’t have an equal chance of getting picked.
What is systematic sampling?
Every nth member of the target population is selected for the sample.
Strengths:
More representative, less likelihood of bias from one group
Weakness:
No guarantee of a representative sample
What is stratified sampling?
Dividing the research population into a number of different sampling frames, then selecting from each frame to create a research sample.
-This avoids the highest population from being over-represented in the sample.
Strength:
Increased precision
Weakness:
Biased to large groups
What is quota sampling?
The researcher had a clear sample of what they wanted, so they picked participants who met those criteria to fit the nature of the research.
Strength:
Representative
Weakness:
Lacks randomness so is biased
What is snowball sampling?
One contact will recruit other participants to get involved in that research, often used for hard to reach groups.
Strength:
The sample size can grow as large as the researcher wants
Weakness:
Potential bias
What is volunteer sampling?
Participants are putting themselves forward to be studied.
Strength:
The sample size can be larger
Weakness:
People who take part may not be what the researcher was looking for.
What is opportunity sampling?
Where participants are gained by making the most of situations or opportunities in which the research population is likely to be found.
Strength:
The group is specific to what the researcher wants
Weakness:
Bias
What is purposive sampling?
Choosing individuals or cases that fit the researcher’s nature.
Strength:
The group is specific to what the researcher wants
Weakness:
Bias
