Unit 2A - Research Methods

Question 1

Positivism

Answer 1

The application of the scientific approach to the social world, emphasising the use of quantitative data in order to remain detached from the research process

• Macro approach, large scale
• Social facts
• Detached, objective and value free
• High reliability

Primary: questionnaires, formal interviews, field, experiments, content analysis
Secondary: statistics

Question 2

Interpretativism

Answer 2

Emphasises respondent led qualitative methods to achieve insight, in depth explanations and empathy to realise a humanistic understanding

• Micro approach, small scale
• Reveals meanings
• Should build trust and rapport and
  develop empathy (verstehen)
• High validity

Primary: informal interviews, observation
Secondary: documents, such as letters, diaries

Question 3

Mixed Methods

Answer 3

2 or more methods when conducting research

strengths:
- qualative and quantative
- more accurate

weaknesses:
- requires more time and money
- can be difficult and complex

[Methological pluralism = combining research methods to build up a bigger picture at outset]

Question 4

Observations

Answer 4

Ethnographic research (observing people in their environment), first hand insight into people’s behaviours

Question 5

Participant Observations
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 5

Pros -
- being inside not outside
- accurate as shared experience of the social
reality
- can be the only way to research hard to
reach groups

Cons -
- gatekeeper may control what is observed
- time consuming
- emotional
- may act differently as they know they are
being observed

Question 6

Non-partcipant Observations
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 6

Pros -
- produces facts and quantative data
- detached = less bias
- group’s behaviour not influenced by
researcher
- positivists like this

Cons -
- observer is artificial as researcher is
present
- little true insight into why they behave this
way
- objectivity difficult to achieve as they have
to judge

Question 7

Interviews
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 7

Pros -
Useful for studying topical, inaccessible topics through their methods

Cons -
Quality of the interview depends on the interviewers technique

Question 8

Structured Interviews
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 8

Pros -
- comparable answers
- more generalised across the study
- quantitative data

Cons -
- participants don’t reveal as much because
of strict design

Question 9

Unstructured Interviews
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 9

Pros -
- establish qualitative interactions
- generates trust therefore more likely to
open up
- valid data (honest)

Cons -
- difficult to analyse and compare
- can’t categorise
- has to be selective in material and what is
published = bias

Question 10

Semi-structured Interviews
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 10

Pros -
- allows interviewers to ask follow up
questions = depth

Cons -
- each interview differs so less comparable
- lots of time and planning

Question 11

Group Interviews
(Pros & Cons)

Answer 11

Pros -
- deeper insights ‘encourage’ eachother to
open up
- high validity
- less time consuming

Cons -
- peer pressure, conforming to the norms of
those around you so results become
invalid
- 1/2 may dominate the conversation
- hard to analyse

Question 12

Pilot Studies

Answer 12

A trial run of a research method with a small sample to ensure it works

strengths:
- determines best research methods
- troubleshoot anything wrong

weaknesses:
- expensive and time consuming

Question 13

Longitudinal Studies

Answer 13

Studying a group of people over a long period of time

strengths:
- clear image of changes in attitude and
behaviour
- unveils hidden patterns in social groups
- in depth knowledge

weaknesses:
- time consuming, expensive
- people drop out
- get too friendly

Question 14

Questionnaires

Answer 14

List of questions written in advance handed out for self completion

strengths:
- very representative
- reach lots of people
- less time consuming

weaknesses:
- needs to be short and concise
- may be misinterpreted

Question 15

Content Analysis

Answer 15

Interpret words and images from various sources of communication

strengths:
- cheap
- comparative method

weaknesses:
- time consuming
- subjective
- only beliefs of people who created

Question 16

Triangulation

Answer 16

Combining research methods to check or verify validity eg observation checked by questionnaires

strengths:
- increased validity and reliability
- more comprehensive understanding
- minimises bias

weaknesses:
- resource intensive
- may be contradictory

Question 17

Verstehen

Answer 17

‘Understand in a deep way’ - The researcher puts themselves in another’s shoes

Question 18

Rapport

Answer 18

Build a relationship - eases into topics for main interview