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Structured Observations/ Official Statistics /ethnography Flashcards

(24 cards)

1
Q

What is structured observation in sociology?

A

A research method where the researcher systematically observes and records specific behaviors or events using a pre-determined checklist or coding scheme. It is often quantitative and used to collect data in a controlled, standardized way.

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2
Q

What is a key feature of structured observation?

A

It uses an observation schedule, a pre-set list of categories or behaviors to record, ensuring consistency and reducing subjectivity.

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3
Q

Give an example of structured observation in sociology.

A

Observing classroom behavior to count how often students ask questions, using a checklist to record specific actions

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4
Q

What is the main aim of structured observation?

A

To produce reliable, quantitative data that can be statistically analyzed to identify patterns or trends in social behavior.

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5
Q

Name two advantages of structured observation.

A

High reliability: Standardized categories allow for consistent data collection, replicable by other researchers.

Objective: Reduces researcher bias by focusing on specific, pre-defined behaviors.

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6
Q

Name two disadvantages of structured observation.

A

Low validity: May miss deeper meanings or context of behaviors due to rigid categories.

Limited scope: Only captures pre-defined behaviors, potentially overlooking unexpected or complex actions.

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7
Q

What is the Hawthorne effect in the context of structured observation?

A

When participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed, potentially reducing the validity of the data collected.

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8
Q

What ethical issues might arise in structured observation?

A

Informed consent: Participants may not know they are being observed.

Privacy: Observing in public
spaces can raise concerns about intrusion or confidentiality.

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9
Q

What type of data does structured observation typically produce?

A

Quantitative data

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10
Q

How can structured observation be linked to positivism?

A

Structured observation aligns with positivism because it seeks objective, measurable data to identify patterns and test hypotheses, emphasizing scientific methods.

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11
Q

What are official statistics in sociology?

A

Quantitative data collected by government or other official bodies (e.g., census, crime rates, unemployment figures) used to analyze social trends and patterns.

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12
Q

Give an example of official statistics used in sociology.

A

UK Census data, which provides information on population size, age, ethnicity, and household composition for studying social change.

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13
Q

Name two advantages of using official statistics in sociological research.

A

Wide coverage: Large-scale data representing entire populations, e.g., national crime statistics.

Cost-effective: Freely available or low-cost, saving researchers time and resources.

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14
Q

Name two disadvantages of official statistics.

A

Validity issues: May not reflect reality due to under-reporting or biased collection (e.g., unreported crimes).

Limited scope: Collected for administrative purposes, not sociological research, so may lack relevant variables.

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15
Q

How do official statistics relate to positivism?

A

Official statistics align with positivism by providing objective, quantitative data that can be used to test hypotheses and identify social patterns scientifically.

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16
Q

What is a key criticism of official statistics from an interpretivist perspective?

A

Interpretivists argue official statistics lack validity because they focus on numbers and miss the subjective meanings behind social actions.

17
Q

What is an example of a sociological issue studied using official statistics?

A

Analyzing suicide rates (e.g., Durkheim’s study) to explore social integration and anomie, using data like death records or coroner reports.

18
Q

What is ethnography in sociology?

A

A qualitative research method involving in-depth, immersive observation and participation in a social group or culture to understand their behaviors, values, and interactions.

19
Q

What is a key feature of ethnographic research?

A

Participant observation, where the researcher actively engages in the group’s activities while observing and recording their experiences.

20
Q

Give an example of a sociological study using ethnography.

A

Willis’ “Learning to Labour”, where he immersed himself in a working-class school to study how boys developed anti-school subcultures.

21
Q

Name two advantages of ethnography.

A

High validity: Provides rich, detailed insights into social meanings and lived experiences.

Contextual understanding: Captures the complexity of social settings through immersion.

22
Q

Name two disadvantages of ethnography.

A

Low reliability: Subjective and difficult to replicate due to the researcher’s unique perspective.

Time-consuming: Requires long-term immersion, making it resource-intensive.

23
Q

How does ethnography align with interpretivism?

A

Ethnography aligns with interpretivism by focusing on subjective meanings, social interactions, and understanding the world from participants’ perspectives.

24
Q

What ethical issues might arise in ethnographic research?

A

Informed consent: Participants may not fully understand the research or their involvement

Covert observation: Observing without consent raises privacy and deception concerns.