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A: RESEARCH METHODS Flashcards

1
Q

Positivism

A

Influenced by the natural sciences, adapt and apply ideas to human behaviour

Belief that we as humans have little control

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2
Q

Social facts

A

Durkheim

These shape our actions

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3
Q

Durkheim (1897) Study of suicide

A

Observed three trends

  1. Suicide rates remained constant and predictable
  2. Constant between societies
  3. Constant within societies

Suicide is not free will, but a social fact

‘Egotistic suicide’- failure to integrate

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4
Q

Reliability

A

The replicability of results

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5
Q

Representability

A

How well it reflects the wider research population

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6
Q

Generalisability

A

Can the sample results be true of individuals outside of the research population

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7
Q

Interpretivism

A

Rejects the view that human beings are objects

People are active, conscious beings

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8
Q

Verstehen

A

Engage with an empathetic understanding

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9
Q

Six factors that influence choice of research topic

A
  1. Social problems
  2. Sociological problems
  3. Funding
  4. Current academic debates
  5. The interests and values of the researcher
  6. Access to subjects
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10
Q

Atkinson (2003), Coroners and Suicide

A

Argued that suicide is socially constructed

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11
Q

PET

A

Practical, ethical, theoretical

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12
Q

Practical issues

A
  1. Cost
  2. Time
  3. Subject matter
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13
Q

Ethical issues

A
  1. Informed consent
  2. No deception
  3. Privacy/Anonymity
  4. Protection from harm
  5. Nothing illegal or immoral
  6. No risk of physical harm
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14
Q

Theoretical

A

Choice of method is likely to be influenced by positivism or Interpretivism

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15
Q

Detecting bias

A
  1. Pilot studies

2. Respondent validation

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16
Q

Operationalisation

A

To break down research aims into something that can be researched

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17
Q

Systematic random sampling

A

Randomly choosing a number between 1 and 10. and then picking every 10th number (7, 17, 27…)

However does not guarantee a representative sample

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18
Q

Stratified random sampling

A

Dividing the research population into frames and then using systematic random sampling

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19
Q

Quota

A

Similar to stratified random, but use a quota

Bias can come through

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20
Q

Purposive

A

Choosing an individual that fits the specific research need

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21
Q

Opportunity

A

Going to a place where they might find the research population

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22
Q

Snowball

A

Asking previous responded to recommend someone

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23
Q

Volunteer

A

Advertise for volunteers

24
Q

Venkatesh (2003)

A

Studied the Black Kings in Chicago. Covert. Criticised for being unethical

25
Q

Types of questionnaires

A
  1. Self report

2. Attitudinal

26
Q

Strengths of questionnaires

A

Short
Cheap
Reach wide areas

27
Q

Weaknesses of questionnaires

A

Biased

Can lead respondants- researcher imposition

28
Q

Strengths of statistics

A
  1. Easy and cheap
  2. Up to date
  3. Representative
29
Q

Weaknesses of statistics

A
  1. Open to abuse/manipulation

2. Don’t tell the story

30
Q

Strengths of content analysis

A
  1. Cheap
  2. Can be longitudinal
  3. Reliable
31
Q

Weaknesses of content analysis

A
  1. Time consuming

2. Can be taken out of context

32
Q

Freyenburger (2003)

A

Amanada Knox. US media showed sympathy

33
Q

Example of sociology influencing social policy

A

Left and right realist influence on tackling crime

New Right ideologies influence educational policy.

34
Q

Strengths of longitudinal studies (2)

A

Quantiatative data- patterns and trends

Reaches a large sample- representative

35
Q

Weaknesses of longitudinal studies (4)

A

Doesn’t allow for deeper understanding/ detail
Attrition
Bias may still exist
Expensive

36
Q

Strengths of questionnaires (3)

A

Can reach large samples
Cheap and quick
Good for sensitive topics

37
Q

Weaknesses of questionnaires (4)

A

Low response rate
Low validity- no understanding of emotions
Can be misinterpreted
Researcher imposition

38
Q

Strengths of structured interviews (2)

A

Scientific- high in validity

Quick to conduct

39
Q

Weaknesses of structured interviews

A

Researcher imposition
Inflexible
Cannot capture changes

40
Q

Strengths of unstructured interviews (2)

A

Allows for rapport

Provides richer data- valid

41
Q

Weaknesses of unstructured interviews (3)

A

Material may be biased
Cannot be quantified
High volume of data

42
Q

Strengths of focus groups (2)

A

Rich, bias free data

Comfortable environment produces highly valid data

43
Q

Weakness of focus groups

A

Strong personalities can dominate

44
Q

Weakness of semi-structured interviews

A

Researcher imposition

45
Q

Strength of triangulation

A

Increases validity

46
Q

Weakness of triangulation

A

Time consuming

47
Q

Strength of methodological pluralism

A

Collects both quantiatative and qualiatative data

48
Q

Strengths of statistics (4)

A

Easy and cheap
Up to date- reliable
Valid
Large samples- representative and generalisable

49
Q

Weaknesses of statistics (2)

A

May not represent the full picture

Open to abuse

50
Q

Strengths of content analysis (3)

A

Cheap
Comparative
Reliable

51
Q

Weaknesses of content analysis (2)

A

Time consuming

Subjective- can be taken out of context

52
Q

Strengths of participant observation (3)

A

Good understanding- valid
Can research otherwise inaccessible groups eg gangs
Access to experiences and attitudes

53
Q

Weaknesses of participant observation (2)

A

Observer/ researcher effect

Can get too invested

54
Q

Strengths of non-participant observation (1)

A

Objective- less bias

55
Q

Weaknesses of non-participant observation (2)

A

Behaviour may be shaped by researcher’s presence

Does not give behavioural insight

S2 (5 decks)

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