Structured Observations/ Official Statistics /ethnography Flashcards
(24 cards)
What is structured observation in sociology?
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.
What is a key feature of structured observation?
It uses an observation schedule, a pre-set list of categories or behaviors to record, ensuring consistency and reducing subjectivity.
Give an example of structured observation in sociology.
Observing classroom behavior to count how often students ask questions, using a checklist to record specific actions
What is the main aim of structured observation?
To produce reliable, quantitative data that can be statistically analyzed to identify patterns or trends in social behavior.
Name two advantages of structured observation.
High reliability: Standardized categories allow for consistent data collection, replicable by other researchers.
Objective: Reduces researcher bias by focusing on specific, pre-defined behaviors.
Name two disadvantages of structured observation.
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.
What is the Hawthorne effect in the context of structured observation?
When participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed, potentially reducing the validity of the data collected.
What ethical issues might arise in structured observation?
Informed consent: Participants may not know they are being observed.
Privacy: Observing in public
spaces can raise concerns about intrusion or confidentiality.
What type of data does structured observation typically produce?
Quantitative data
How can structured observation be linked to positivism?
Structured observation aligns with positivism because it seeks objective, measurable data to identify patterns and test hypotheses, emphasizing scientific methods.
What are official statistics in sociology?
Quantitative data collected by government or other official bodies (e.g., census, crime rates, unemployment figures) used to analyze social trends and patterns.
Give an example of official statistics used in sociology.
UK Census data, which provides information on population size, age, ethnicity, and household composition for studying social change.
Name two advantages of using official statistics in sociological research.
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.
Name two disadvantages of official statistics.
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.
How do official statistics relate to positivism?
Official statistics align with positivism by providing objective, quantitative data that can be used to test hypotheses and identify social patterns scientifically.
What is a key criticism of official statistics from an interpretivist perspective?
Interpretivists argue official statistics lack validity because they focus on numbers and miss the subjective meanings behind social actions.
What is an example of a sociological issue studied using official statistics?
Analyzing suicide rates (e.g., Durkheim’s study) to explore social integration and anomie, using data like death records or coroner reports.
What is ethnography in sociology?
A qualitative research method involving in-depth, immersive observation and participation in a social group or culture to understand their behaviors, values, and interactions.
What is a key feature of ethnographic research?
Participant observation, where the researcher actively engages in the group’s activities while observing and recording their experiences.
Give an example of a sociological study using ethnography.
Willis’ “Learning to Labour”, where he immersed himself in a working-class school to study how boys developed anti-school subcultures.
Name two advantages of ethnography.
High validity: Provides rich, detailed insights into social meanings and lived experiences.
Contextual understanding: Captures the complexity of social settings through immersion.
Name two disadvantages of ethnography.
Low reliability: Subjective and difficult to replicate due to the researcher’s unique perspective.
Time-consuming: Requires long-term immersion, making it resource-intensive.
How does ethnography align with interpretivism?
Ethnography aligns with interpretivism by focusing on subjective meanings, social interactions, and understanding the world from participants’ perspectives.
What ethical issues might arise in ethnographic research?
Informed consent: Participants may not fully understand the research or their involvement
Covert observation: Observing without consent raises privacy and deception concerns.
