11. RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards
What are the 4 types of data?
Primary
Secondary
Quantitative
Qualitative
Define RELIABILITY
the repeatability of an experiment
would the results be the same
Define REPRESENTATIVNESS
how far the research represents the whole of society or group.
Define VALIDITY
how far the results give a true or genuine picture (to real life)
POSITIVISM:
What are they and what to they like?
Macro approach
Likes structural theory’s like marxism and functionalism
They like quantitative, generalisable data
INTERPRETIVISM:
What are they and what do they like?
Micro approach
interactionism
like qualitative data and validity
PRACTICAL ISSUES:
what do they consist of?
Time
Money
Funding
Personal Factors like age
ETHICAL ISSUES:
what do they consist of?
Legality and Immorality Consent Deception Harm Vulnerable Groups
THEORETICAL ISSUES:
what do they consist of
Reliability
Representativeness
Validity
SAMPLING:
Random Sampling
What is it and how do you carry it out?
Pulling names out of a hat
Adv: cheap quick easy and equal
Dis: not representative
SAMPLING:
Stratified Random
What is it and how do you carry it out?
Categories that reflect the society.
EG if 2.5% of the society are indian, then 2.5% of the sample are indian.
Adv: all groups represented
Dis: Costs more
SAMPLING:
Systematic
What is it and how do you carry it out?
Every nth person is chosen eg every 3rd person.
Adv: easy and cheap
Dis: if you change n it will be completely different so it’s not representative
SAMPLING:
Opportunities
What is it and how do you carry it out?
Selecting people who are available at the time
Adv: quick convenient economic
Dis: Unrepresentative and biased
SAMPLING:
Snowball
What is it and how do you carry it out?
Gain access to initial contact and who help the researcher recruit more sample people.
Adv: allows access to hard to reach groups
Dis: lack of control, limited access, some groups won’t want to be found
PRIMARY METHODS:
Questionnaires:
Advantages
P = not time consuming, cheap, large sample size, large amounts of data E = anonymous response, informed consent R= large sample R= reliable, standardised and no researcher influence T= Positivists
PRIMARY METHODS:
Questionnaires
Disadvantages
P = you don’t know who fills it out, low response rate, might need and incentive E = no suitable for sensitive questions V = no in depth info, may lie R = represented low of response rate is low T = not enough validity
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Covert Participant
Advantages
P = the only way to get data from deviant groups V = valid as behaviour is witnessed first hand and they don’t know they’re being witnessed T = Interpretivists say it’s the best research method
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Covert Participant
Disadvantages
P = gaining access is difficult, can be dangerous E = no consent and there’s deception R = researcher it’s dangerous to repeat V = cannot openly make notes R = doesn’t represent society as a whole
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Covert Non-Participant
Advantages
V = valid as behaviour isn’t affected by researcher or hawthorne effect T = interpretivists favour as its high validity
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Covert Non-Participant
Disadvantages
P = access is difficult, staying covert is difficult if you’re not participating E = Deception and no consent R = reliability hard to access as quality of data is obtained V = hard to remember it all as cover you can’t make notes openly R = small sample size
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Overt Participant
Advantages
P = no bias, leaving will be easier and the researcher can ask open and naïve questions E = the group know they’re being observed so can give consent V = high depth info is collected T = interpretevists
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Overt Participant
Disadvantages
P = can be dangerous at times R = it’s unlikely it can be replicated V = hawthorne R = small size
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Overt Non-Participant
Advantages
E = consent V = high detail level T = I
PRIMARY METHODS:
Observations
Overt Non-Participant
Disadvantages
P = easy to record notes R = reliability hard to access data V = observers presence = hawthorne effect R = small sample size
PRIMARY METHODS:
Interviews
Structured
Advantages
P = high response rate, quick and cheap and no researcher training E = permission R = standardised with a set list of questions so can be repeated R = large sample size T = positivist
PRIMARY METHODS:
Interviews
Structured
Disadvantages
P = schedule means tight time, can’t elaborate on questions E = dead pan delivery, no emotion so sensitive questions could cause distress and harm V = can’t probe, hawthorne effect R = smaller sample size means no representative
PRIMARY METHODS:
Interviews
Unstructured
Advantages
P = can explore ideas not prior known E = consent V = high in validity and rich and interesting data, more questions can be asked T = I
PRIMARY METHODS:
Interviews
Unstructured
Disadvantages
P = no structure, expensive researcher training E = probing may cause distress V = lie R = small sample R = open ended questions mean any answer can be given therefore not standardised and impossible to replicate
PRIMARY METHODS:
Experiments
Lab
Advantages
P = controlled, statistical data R = can be repeated, it’s detached so the researcher can manipulate to get the same results V = less biased T = P
PRIMARY METHODS:
Experiments
Lab
Disadvantages
P = issues in society are difficult to test and manipulate so society can’t be measured for cause and effect E = lack of consent, deception and harm V = no in depth measuring, highly artificial and hawthorne effect R = small sample
PRIMARY METHODS:
Experiments
Field
Advantages
P = can properly experiment in society and see people act normal V = behaviour is real, no hawthorne effect and is true to real life T = I
PRIMARY METHODS:
Experiments
Field
Disadvantages
P = no control, access can be hard E = no consent and possible harm R = can’t be repeated R = small sample
SECONDARY METHODS
Official Statistics
Advantages
P = cheap, easy, quick E = no ethical concerns as it already exists R = high quantity and can be done again R = official statistics have large samples T = P
SECONDARY METHODS
Official Statistics
Disadvantages
P = trouble access, the definition used for the stats may be different for what the researcher needs E = how ethical was the original project R = no control over how reliable it is as there could be coding errors V = unaware of factors affecting validity and they can’t offer experience of emotion and could have political bias R = no control over sample size and some people may no report for crimes etc
SECONDARY METHODS
Documents
Advantages
P = ready available, cheap, the only source for past events E = informed consent V = in depth info from a perspective of the time, first hand experience, high validity as true to society T = I
SECONDARY METHODS
Documents
Disadvantages
P = access to personal can be hard, credibility is questionable E = invasion of privacy, confidentiality R = unreliable as the events can’t be repeated or cross checked / verified V = bias R = unrepresentative as its hard to find sources for the same topic
Comparative method
carried out in own brain
Durkheim suicide
