Theory of methods - key words Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is primary data
When a sociologist does their own research for their own purposes
Define social desirability effect
When the participants seek approval from the researcher
Secondary data
When a sociologist uses someone else’s previous research for themselves
Artificiality
Unreal quality that undermines the validity of research
What is quantitive data
Data in numerical form
What is detachment
Being withdrawn/separated from the participant
Qualititive data
Data done in words ,eg in interviews
What is Quota sampling
When the researcher goes out looking for the right number of each sort of person required in each category
Informed consent
When participant gives permission to be studied and has the right to refuse
Stratified random sampling
Dividing population into categories like gender/age/income and taking a % from each group
Define Confidentiality
Where the identity of the participants is kept secret
Quasi-random sampling
Picking out every ???th number person from a list
Covert research
Researchers identity & purpose is kept hidden
Validity
When the research produced gives a true/genuine picture
Random sampling
Sample is selected by random chance
Reliability
When the research is repeatable
Representativeness
Cross section of group studied
what is a sampling frame
a list of the members of population interested in study
methodological perspective
sociologists choice of method is dictated by their view of society
sample
a smaller sub-group drawn from a wider group being studied
interpretivists
belief there is no objective reality, individuals construct own meanings, feelings and motivation
pilot study
a small scale ‘practice’ study before doing the full study
positivists
actions based on external factors
operationalising concepts
creating a working definition of the key concepts or terms in a hypothesis
