5 Markers Flashcards
Define primary research
Information collected by sociologists for themselves for their own purposes to gain a first-hand picture of a group or society e.g. interviews/questionnaires
Define secondary research
Information that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose but sociologists can use e.g. official statistics
Define quantitative data
Data presented in numerical form which is preferred by positivists e.g. GCSE statistics/ official statistics
Define qualitative data
Data in the form of words and not numbers, rich data which allows explanations and feelings to be conveyed e.g. interviews with victims. Preferred by interpretivists
Define representative
To what extent the sample selected are typical of the research population. Stratified random sampling should provide more representative data
Define generalisable
Whether the findings from the study can be applied to the population as a whole
Define valid
Whether the research methods measure what they are supposed to measure and give a ‘true’ or accurate picture of what is being studied. Interviews tend to be more valid than questionnaires as the researcher can clarify whether answers given by respondents are accurate and can ask respondents to expand on answers
Define reliable
Whether the research can be replicated and gain the same results. Structured interviews or questionnaires tend to be reliable as responses are closed and can be repeated and should obtain the same results
Define overt observation
Where the participant is aware they are being observed, this minimises ethical issues but can cause the ‘hawthorne effect’ where the participant behaves differently as they are aware they’re being watched
Define covert observation
The participant is not aware they are being observed an example of this is the secret policeman. Highly unethical as participants are not able to withdraw from the study and provide consent
Define structured interview
Preferred by positivists, the most scientific way to perform an interview. Set questions are given and participants cannot expand on their responsesd
Define in depth/unstructured interview
Participants are able to expand on answers and rich qualitative data is gathered. The researcher can ask for clarification and therefore this type of study is high in validity. However it cannot be replicated easily and is low in reliability
Define participant observation
The researcher becomes involved in the group being studied in order to gain a full understanding of the participants and ask questions. Gain a sense of verstehen where they are able to put themselves in the shoes of the participants
Define non-participant observation
The researcher does not become involved in the study but watches from the side lines. An example of this would be observing the behaviour of children from a distance
Define Interpretivism
Theory that argues that sociology is not a science as people are unscientific, prefer methods such as interviews over questionnaires
Define Positivism
Theory that argues scientific methods should be used in sociology. Look for patterns, trends, numbers and statistics in order to establish cause-effect relationships
Define official statistics
Used by the government to gather data which can help establish trends and look for historic changes. An example of this would be the official crime statistics
Define content analysis
A scientific process which allows quantitative data to be gathered from media documents. A media report can be measured for the size of headlines or the frequency of certain words in order to draw conclusion. The only real method that can be used to examine magazines
Define practical problems
Issues such as cost/ funding, access to the sample or time that can prevent sociologists from carrying out certain research
Define survey
A method of sociological investigation that uses questions to collect data on a given topic, can be online, written or verbal
Define questionnaire
A list of questions asked by a researcher and completed by a group of respondents, questions can be closed or open ended
Define simple random sampling
Sampling technique where all members of the target population have an equal chance of being chosen an example of this would be names out of a hat. Should provide more representative data
Define stratified random sampling
Sampling technique where the target population are divided according to the numbers of people with the social characteristics required and the sample is selected to reflect the proportions of these characteristics
Define sampling frame
Refers to who you select your sample from
Define ethical issues
The rights or wrongs of conducting research. Governed by the British Sociological Association
Define informed consent
Where participants are aware of the true aims of the study and have agreed to participate
Define right to withdraw
Where participants are free to leave the study at any point
Describe deception
Where participants are unaware of the true aims of the study
Define confidentiality
Where the personal details of the participants of a study are not published in order to protect the rights of those involved
Define British sociological association
Decide on the rules/guidelines by which sociologists adhere to particularly ethical issues
Define protection from harm
Sociologists should ensure physical, psychological and emotional harm does not occur when carrying out their study
Define semi structured interview
Where there are set questions given to the participant but they can extend on their answers where necessary
Define operationalise
Clearly defining the key terms and variables in the research to ensure it can be replicated
Define standardised
Ensuring that they study and methods are the same each time
Define researcher bias
Where the researcher has an influence in the results of the study, this can affect the validity as participants answers may not be accurate as they have been affected by the researcher
Define statistical data
Numerical data such as the official statistics or divorce rates. Preferred by positivists
Define ethnography
The study of people in society
Define Verstehen
German word for empathy or ‘putting yourself in another’s shoes’.
Define empathise
The ability to understand the feelings and experiences of others
Define group interview/focus group
An interview where there are several participants who discuss a topic in detail whilst the researcher takes notes, often used to promote discussion
Define open ended questions
Questions which allow the participant to expand on their answers
Define scientific
Method preferred by positivists which allows sociologists to establish cause-effect relationships. More objective and less subjective method
Define triangulation/mixed methods
All methods in research have both strengths and weaknesses and a range of techniques must be used to ensure validity and reliability of the study e.g. questionnaires and interviews
Define Methodological pluralism
No single approach has all the answers to questions about understanding behaviour, similar to triangulation recognises the need to use several methodsd
Define sample
This is the group if people taken from the sampling frame with whom you actually do the research e.g. 1 person in every 10 from your year group
Define volunteer sampling
People volunteer to apply. E.G. school Estyn report want parents to come in and talk about the school and use volunteers who come in. Often get those who feel strongly on the topic one way or another
Define systematic sampling
Is when a researcher numbers the participants in a sampling frame (e.g. 1,2,3), and then picks their participants at a set interval, for example picking every participant given a number 1 or every 10th name on a school register
Define opportunity sampling
Otherwise known as convenience sampling. A practical method often used when you don’t have time or money to complete random sample. Those used are those who are convenient
Define snow ball sampling
This is normally used when investigating sensitive or illegal activity, such as prostitution or benefit fraud where there is not a handy list available or people to research. To get a sample, the researcher makes contact with one member of the research population and uses this contact to acquire more participants
Define quota sampling
This is where the researcher calculates the amount of people from each group required then approaches people until the places are filled. You don’t need a sampling frame for this
Define purposive sampling
Go and ask people who you want to speak to. E.G. want to speak to Goths and go to speak to these people- used if looking for a specific type of person
Define gatekeeper
The person who controls access to research and decides what is researched and what is not
Define realism (realists)
Recognises that both positivism and interpretivism are useful and we need to use the methods most suitable for the issue being studied e.g. use official statistics for numbers of people marrying but interviews for how expectations of marriage have changed. Sometimes they will use triangulation (combine methods) if they want to understand what is happening and meanings behind it
