Chapter 1: Research Methods Flashcards
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Case Study
A detailed analysis of a person or group especially as a model for medical, sociological or psychological phenomena.
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Causation
The action of causing something.
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Comparative Study
A research that aims to make comparison across different cultures, etc.
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Conflict
A disagreement or argument.
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Consensus
A general agreement
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Content Analysis
A research technique to analysis social life through interpretation of i.e. Documents, art
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Correlation
The strength between two connections of two things.
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Covert Participant Observation
Research done undercover by taking part in group activities.
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Overt Participant Observation
Involves the researcher being open with the group they are going to a study.
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Field Experiments
To examine an intervention in the real world rather than in a lab.
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Focus Group
A small group sampled from a wider population for opinions about or emotional response to a particular subject.
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Generalisability
When findings about a sample can be said to apply to a larger group of people sharing the same characteristics
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Group Interview
A session of q&a between an interviewer and a group.
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Hawthorne/Observer Effect
The alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.
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Historical Documents
Documents that contain important information about a person, place or event from a time period.
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Hypothesis
An assumption made on limited evidence prior to an investigation.
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Interview Bias
Biases that appear in research findings because of the social nature of the interview i.e. Phrasing
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Interview effect
The influence an interviewer has over the response of the interviewee or results.
Longitudinal Survey
Research done over a period of time
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Triangulation
Using more than one (usually 3) research methods.
Macro approach
An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on large scale.
Micro approach
An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on small scale.
Objectivity
In a Sociological research refers to the unbiased and impartial collection, analysis an presentation of data
Positivism
An approach in sociology that takes a macro view of society, in a scientific manner using quantitative data.
Interpretivism
Approach that start at individual level using micro view, valuing qualitative data
Subjectivity
Allowing personal point of view to influence understanding and interpretation
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Bias
Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person or group compared to another.
Official statistics.
Results obtained from published by government agencies or other public bodies.
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Open
Closed
Pre-coded Questions
Open: where any response or opinion is applicable
Closed: where a set of choices have been given for the person to select
Pre-Coded: questions that have been written in such a way that the categories for answers have been decided.
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Pilot Study
Short pre-study of a few people. Done to see for any changes to the research.
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Primary Data
Data collected by the researcher, first hand, probably more reliable.
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Secondary Data
Information that has been collected by someone other than the user.
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Qualitative Data/Researcher
Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. Qualitative Data is descriptive, in depth.
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Quantitative Research/Data
Quantitative Research is ‘Explaining phenomena by collection numerical data that are analyses using mathematically based methods.’
Quantitative Data is numerical data.
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Questionnaires
Standaralised list of questions used in social surveys
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Reliability
How much you can justify whether this information is true and whether is from a valid source.
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Representativeness
A degree to which research findings about one group can be applied to a larger or similar groups.
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Operationalisation
Finding ways to ask question or measure and observe abstract concepts so that research can be carried out
Identify research stages
- Identifying a topic for research
- Reviewing existing evidence
- Developing a hypothesis or aim
- Identifying the target population
- Choosing a research method
- Operationalisation
- Pilot studies
- Implementing the research method
Potential problem when identifying topic for research
There may be practical problems such as finding respondents. It may be difficult to get funding
Potential problem when reviewing existing evidence
It may be difficult to find existing data; the researcher may have to check many possible sources
Potential problem when developing a hypothesis or aim
It can be difficult to write a well focused aim or hypothesis, especially if the researcher is unsure what they are likely to discover
Potential problem when identifying target population
The researcher will need to decide who will refer to and how they will choose and access a sample
Potential problem when choosing a method
The method chosen may not produce data that can confirm or disprove the hypothesis, or that does not meet the aim of the project
Potential problem with operationalisation
The researcher has to find ways of measuring the key ideas in the research
Potential problem with Pilot studies
If the pilot study shows significant issues eg. with questions asked, the researcher may have to start over again
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Random Sampling
Choosing a sample without a specific order or pattern
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Snowballing Sampling
When one respondent put the research in contact with other respondents
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Quota Sampling
When the researcher decides in advance how many people with certain characteristics to involve in the research then identifies them
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Systematic Sampling
When there is a regular pattern in selecting respondents
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Stratified Sampling
When the sampling frame is divided by example age or gender.
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Sampling Frame
The population we take the sample from to answer the survey.
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Structured Interview
An interview where there is a set list of questions to be asked.
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Semi-structured Interview
an interview with some standarised questions but allowing the researcher some flexibility on what is asked an in what order
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Unstructured Interview
An interview in which there is not specific set of predetermined questions, although they may have certain topics they may want to cover.
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Validity
The extent to which findings reflect reality an give a true picture
