Secondary Data: Case Studies And Longitudinal Studies

Question 1

Case study

Answer 1

An exploratory, descriptive analysis of a person, group or event

Question 2

Life history

Answer 2

The overall picture of an informant/ interviewees life

Question 3

Longitudinal studies

Answer 3

Most sociological research is done on a short time scale so is a snapshot of events therefore it is difficult to study changes over time
The longitudinal study attempts to overcome this problem by selecting a sample sometimes called a panel and collecting data from them over a period of years eg longitudinal studies are often large-scale surveys like the Census and conducted by interviews

Question 4

Longitudinal studies: study 1: The Census

Answer 4

This is a questionnaire sent to all households and residencies in the UK and is a longitudinal study of the population in effect. This enables researchers to look at trends of social change and compare historical periods of time

Question 5

Longitudinal studies: study 2: Parker et al

Answer 5

Studied illegal drug use among 1125 people ages 14 for 5 years between 1991 and 1996 using a combination of self-completion questionnaires and interviews

Question 6

Triangulation

Answer 6

Triangulation involves a researcher having three or more different methods or sources of data. This tends to result in a researcher using two primary research methods, as well as a secondary source

Question 7

Reasons for triangulation

Answer 7

1. Cross checking answers (using a variety if methods)
2. Facilitation (using one method to develop another method)
3. Complementary (combining methods to gain data for different aspects of research)