Advantages of quantitative methods Flashcards
P1: What is the main advantage of structured interviews?
They offer reliability and ease of comparison due to their standardised format with pre-set questions and limited response options.
Why are structured interviews considered reliable?
Each participant is asked the same questions in the same way, ensuring consistency and replicability of results.
How do structured interviews aid in data analysis?
They allow for easy identification of patterns or correlations, such as trends in household roles or family structures across demographics.
What is an example of structured interviews in sociological research?
Young and Willmott used structured interviews in their study Family and Kinship in East London, collecting data from over 900 participants efficiently.
What is a limitation of structured interviews?
Interpretivists argue they lack depth and ignore the meanings behind people’s answers, reducing their validity for understanding social actions.
P2: What is the main advantage of official statistics?
They provide large-scale, accessible, and cost-effective data for sociologists to analyse trends and patterns.
How are official statistics useful for sociological research?
They give insight into areas like crime rates, education results, and employment, and are especially useful for spotting trends over time.
What is an example of official statistics in sociological research?
Durkheim used suicide statistics in Le Suicide to investigate patterns of suicide and argue they revealed social facts about integration and regulation.
How do official statistics support hypothesis testing?
They allow sociologists to test hypotheses and develop generalisable theories by comparing data across social groups (e.g., class, gender, ethnicity).
What is a limitation of official statistics?
They can reflect the biases of those in power (e.g., government crime definitions), and some crimes (e.g., domestic violence) go unreported, limiting their accuracy.
What is the main advantage of questionnaires?
They are an efficient and objective method for collecting large amounts of data quickly from thousands of participants.
Why are questionnaires considered efficient?
They are standardised and can be distributed online or in print, making data collection fast and cost-effective.
What is an example of questionnaires in sociological research?
The British Social Attitudes Survey uses questionnaires to collect public opinions on issues like immigration, education, and welfare.
How do questionnaires aid in data analysis?
They enable sociologists to examine relationships between variables (e.g., age and political views) and allow anonymity, reducing social desirability bias.
What is a limitation of questionnaires?
Interpretivists argue that closed questions restrict responses and fail to capture real meanings, reducing validity. Respondents may also misinterpret questions.
