2.1 Basic Concepts

Question 1

Quantitative Methods

Answer 1

Approaches to sociological research that draw on objective and statistical data.

Often focuses on documenting trends, comparing subgroups, or exploring correlations

Large study samples

Question 2

Qualitative Methods

Answer 2

Approaches to sociological research that often rely on:

1. Personal and/or collective interviews
2. Accounts
3. Observations of a person or situation

Small sample groups

Question 3

A Sample

Answer 3

A subset of a population.

It can refer to study participants, to places and times of observations, or to documents or other objects that are examined

Question 4

Sampling

Answer 4

The “design task of deciding which elements in a population will be chosen, and how those elements will be chosen” (Ibid)

Question 5

Random Sampling

Answer 5

A sampling method in which a sample is chosen so that every member of the population has the same probability of being included

Question 6

Non-Probability Sampling

Answer 6

Very specific group of people in the sample.

There is criteria so that only target participants get selected to participate.

Question 7

Non-Probability Sampling

Answer 7

Very specific group of people in the sample.

There is criteria so that only target participants get selected to participate.

Question 8

Inductive Research

Answer 8

Begin with a research question and the collection of empirical data, which are used to generate hypotheses and theory

Question 9

Deductive Research

Answer 9

Approaches usually begin with a theory-driven hypothesis, which guide dada collection and analysis

Question 10

The Research Process Stages

Answer 10

1. Define the (research problem)
2. Review the literature (literature review)
3. Make the problem precise (purpose/intent)
4. Work out a design (research design)
5. Carry out the research (data generation)
6. Interpret the results (data analysis)
7. Report the findings (discussion)

MUST HAVE ETHICS APPROVAL TOO (Around step 4/5)

Question 11

Characteristics of Good Research Questions

Answer 11

1. Is the question concise?
2. Can the question be answered using empirical data?
3. Is the question word appropriate to the question?
4. Is the question open-ended

Make sure the question is interesting to:

• you
• your reader
• scholars
• policy makers
• ordinary people/stekeholders

Question 12

Common Pitfalls of Research Questions

Answer 12

• The answer is yes or no. These type of questions are not open-ended, because they often assume an answer.

Question 13

Quantitative Question Words

Answer 13

• Why?
• What is the effect of…?
• What explains/causes…?
• Under what conditions…?
• Why do…?

Question 14

Qualitative Question Words

Answer 14

• How…?
• What…?

Question 15

Reasons to Review the Literature

Answer 15

• Have previous researchers spotted the same puzzle?
• How have they tried to solve it?
• What aspects of the problem has their research left unanalyzed (research gap)?

Question 16

What is a Literature Review + HOW

Answer 16

Surveys scholarly articles, books, and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory

HOW:
by providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work

Question 17

Make the Problem Precise

Answer 17

This stage involves clearly formulating the research problem.

Quantitative Inquiry
- Hypotheses
- For the research to be effective, the researcher must formulate a hypothesis in such a way that the factual material gathered will provide evidence either supporting or disproving it

Question 18

Work Out a Design

Answer 18

The researcher decides how to collect the research materials.

They can choose from a range of methods based on the study objectives and the aspects of behaviour under study

Question 19

Carry Out the Research

Answer 19

Researchers carry out the plan developed in the previous step.

During the actual research, unforeseen practical difficulties may arise that force the researcher to rethink his or her initial strategy

Question 20

Interpret the Results

Answer 20

Once the information has been gathered, the researcher must analyse the data.

Results must be interpreted in such a way that they tell a clear story and directly address the research puzzle outlined in the first step

Question 21

Report the Findings

Answer 21

The research report, usually published as a journal article or book, provides an account of the research question, methods, findings, and the implications of the findings for social theory, public policy, or practice.

Most reports:
1. Identify unanswered questions
2. Provide limitations of the study
3. Suggest new questions for further research