5 Markers

Question 1

Define primary research

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Define secondary research

Answer 2

Information that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose but sociologists can use e.g. official statistics

Question 3

Define quantitative data

Answer 3

Data presented in numerical form which is preferred by positivists e.g. GCSE statistics/ official statistics

Question 4

Define qualitative data

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Define representative

Answer 5

To what extent the sample selected are typical of the research population. Stratified random sampling should provide more representative data

Question 6

Define generalisable

Answer 6

Whether the findings from the study can be applied to the population as a whole

Question 7

Define valid

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Define reliable

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Define overt observation

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Define covert observation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Define structured interview

Answer 11

Preferred by positivists, the most scientific way to perform an interview. Set questions are given and participants cannot expand on their responsesd

Question 12

Define in depth/unstructured interview

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Define participant observation

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Define non-participant observation

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Define Interpretivism

Answer 15

Theory that argues that sociology is not a science as people are unscientific, prefer methods such as interviews over questionnaires

Question 16

Define Positivism

Answer 16

Theory that argues scientific methods should be used in sociology. Look for patterns, trends, numbers and statistics in order to establish cause-effect relationships

Question 17

Define official statistics

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Define content analysis

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Define practical problems

Answer 19

Issues such as cost/ funding, access to the sample or time that can prevent sociologists from carrying out certain research

Question 20

Define survey

Answer 20

A method of sociological investigation that uses questions to collect data on a given topic, can be online, written or verbal

Question 21

Define questionnaire

Answer 21

A list of questions asked by a researcher and completed by a group of respondents, questions can be closed or open ended

Question 22

Define simple random sampling

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Define stratified random sampling

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Define sampling frame

Answer 24

Refers to who you select your sample from

Question 25

Define ethical issues

Answer 25

The rights or wrongs of conducting research. Governed by the British Sociological Association

Question 26

Define informed consent

Answer 26

Where participants are aware of the true aims of the study and have agreed to participate

Question 27

Define right to withdraw

Answer 27

Where participants are free to leave the study at any point

Question 28

Describe deception

Answer 28

Where participants are unaware of the true aims of the study

Question 29

Define confidentiality

Answer 29

Where the personal details of the participants of a study are not published in order to protect the rights of those involved

Question 30

Define British sociological association

Answer 30

Decide on the rules/guidelines by which sociologists adhere to particularly ethical issues

Question 31

Define protection from harm

Answer 31

Sociologists should ensure physical, psychological and emotional harm does not occur when carrying out their study

Question 32

Define semi structured interview

Answer 32

Where there are set questions given to the participant but they can extend on their answers where necessary

Question 33

Define operationalise

Answer 33

Clearly defining the key terms and variables in the research to ensure it can be replicated

Question 34

Define standardised

Answer 34

Ensuring that they study and methods are the same each time

Question 35

Define researcher bias

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Define statistical data

Answer 36

Numerical data such as the official statistics or divorce rates. Preferred by positivists

Question 37

Define ethnography

Answer 37

The study of people in society

Question 38

Define Verstehen

Answer 38

German word for empathy or ‘putting yourself in another’s shoes’.

Question 39

Define empathise

Answer 39

The ability to understand the feelings and experiences of others

Question 40

Define group interview/focus group

Answer 40

An interview where there are several participants who discuss a topic in detail whilst the researcher takes notes, often used to promote discussion

Question 41

Define open ended questions

Answer 41

Questions which allow the participant to expand on their answers

Question 42

Define scientific

Answer 42

Method preferred by positivists which allows sociologists to establish cause-effect relationships. More objective and less subjective method

Question 43

Define triangulation/mixed methods

Answer 43

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

Question 44

Define Methodological pluralism

Answer 44

No single approach has all the answers to questions about understanding behaviour, similar to triangulation recognises the need to use several methodsd

Question 45

Define sample

Answer 45

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

Question 46

Define volunteer sampling

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Define systematic sampling

Answer 47

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

Question 48

Define opportunity sampling

Answer 48

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

Question 49

Define snow ball sampling

Answer 49

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

Question 50

Define quota sampling

Answer 50

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

Question 51

Define purposive sampling

Answer 51

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

Question 52

Define gatekeeper

Answer 52

The person who controls access to research and decides what is researched and what is not

Question 53

Define realism (realists)

Answer 53

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