Chapter 1: Research Methods

Question 1

Define:

Case Study

Answer 1

A detailed analysis of a person or group especially as a model for medical, sociological or psychological phenomena.

Question 2

Define:

Causation

Answer 2

The action of causing something.

Question 3

Define:

Comparative Study

Answer 3

A research that aims to make comparison across different cultures, etc.

Question 4

Define:

Conflict

Answer 4

A disagreement or argument.

Question 5

Define:

Consensus

Answer 5

A general agreement

Question 6

Define:

Content Analysis

Answer 6

A research technique to analysis social life through interpretation of i.e. Documents, art

Question 7

Define:

Correlation

Answer 7

The strength between two connections of two things.

Question 8

Define:

Covert Participant Observation

Answer 8

Research done undercover by taking part in group activities.

Question 9

Define:

Overt Participant Observation

Answer 9

Involves the researcher being open with the group they are going to a study.

Question 10

Define:

Field Experiments

Answer 10

To examine an intervention in the real world rather than in a lab.

Question 11

Define:

Focus Group

Answer 11

A small group sampled from a wider population for opinions about or emotional response to a particular subject.

Question 12

Define:

Generalisability

Answer 12

When findings about a sample can be said to apply to a larger group of people sharing the same characteristics

Question 13

Define:

Group Interview

Answer 13

A session of q&a between an interviewer and a group.

Question 14

Define:

Hawthorne/Observer Effect

Answer 14

The alteration of behavior by the subjects of a study due to their awareness of being observed.

Question 15

Define:

Historical Documents

Answer 15

Documents that contain important information about a person, place or event from a time period.

Question 16

Define:

Hypothesis

Answer 16

An assumption made on limited evidence prior to an investigation.

Question 17

Define:

Interview Bias

Answer 17

Biases that appear in research findings because of the social nature of the interview i.e. Phrasing

Question 18

Define:

Interview effect

Answer 18

The influence an interviewer has over the response of the interviewee or results.

Question 19

Longitudinal Survey

Answer 19

Research done over a period of time

Question 20

Define:

Triangulation

Answer 20

Using more than one (usually 3) research methods.

Question 21

Macro approach

Answer 21

An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on large scale.

Question 22

Micro approach

Answer 22

An approach to sociology which emphasizes the analysis of social systems and population on small scale.

Question 23

Objectivity

Answer 23

In a Sociological research refers to the unbiased and impartial collection, analysis an presentation of data

Question 24

Positivism

Answer 24

An approach in sociology that takes a macro view of society, in a scientific manner using quantitative data.

Question 25

Interpretivism

Answer 25

Approach that start at individual level using micro view, valuing qualitative data

Question 26

Subjectivity

Answer 26

Allowing personal point of view to influence understanding and interpretation

Question 27

Define: Bias

Answer 27

Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person or group compared to another.

Question 28

Official statistics.

Answer 28

Results obtained from published by government agencies or other public bodies.

Question 29

Define: Open Closed Pre-coded Questions

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Define: Pilot Study

Answer 30

Short pre-study of a few people. Done to see for any changes to the research.

Question 31

Define: Primary Data

Answer 31

Data collected by the researcher, first hand, probably more reliable.

Question 32

Define: Secondary Data

Answer 32

Information that has been collected by someone other than the user.

Question 33

Define: Qualitative Data/Researcher

Answer 33

Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. Qualitative Data is descriptive, in depth.

Question 34

Define: Quantitative Research/Data

Answer 34

Quantitative Research is ‘Explaining phenomena by collection numerical data that are analyses using mathematically based methods.’ Quantitative Data is numerical data.

Question 35

Define: Questionnaires

Answer 35

Standaralised list of questions used in social surveys

Question 36

Define: Reliability

Answer 36

How much you can justify whether this information is true and whether is from a valid source.

Question 37

Define: Representativeness

Answer 37

A degree to which research findings about one group can be applied to a larger or similar groups.

Question 38

Define: Operationalisation

Answer 38

Finding ways to ask question or measure and observe abstract concepts so that research can be carried out

Question 39

Identify research stages

Answer 39

1. Identifying a topic for research 2. Reviewing existing evidence 3. Developing a hypothesis or aim 4. Identifying the target population 5. Choosing a research method 6. Operationalisation 7. Pilot studies 8. Implementing the research method

Question 40

Potential problem when identifying topic for research

Answer 40

There may be practical problems such as finding respondents. It may be difficult to get funding

Question 41

Potential problem when reviewing existing evidence

Answer 41

It may be difficult to find existing data; the researcher may have to check many possible sources

Question 42

Potential problem when developing a hypothesis or aim

Answer 42

It can be difficult to write a well focused aim or hypothesis, especially if the researcher is unsure what they are likely to discover

Question 43

Potential problem when identifying target population

Answer 43

The researcher will need to decide who will refer to and how they will choose and access a sample

Question 44

Potential problem when choosing a method

Answer 44

The method chosen may not produce data that can confirm or disprove the hypothesis, or that does not meet the aim of the project

Question 45

Potential problem with operationalisation

Answer 45

The researcher has to find ways of measuring the key ideas in the research

Question 46

Potential problem with Pilot studies

Answer 46

If the pilot study shows significant issues eg. with questions asked, the researcher may have to start over again

Question 47

Define: Random Sampling

Answer 47

Choosing a sample without a specific order or pattern

Question 48

Define: Snowballing Sampling

Answer 48

When one respondent put the research in contact with other respondents

Question 49

Define: Quota Sampling

Answer 49

When the researcher decides in advance how many people with certain characteristics to involve in the research then identifies them

Question 50

Define: Systematic Sampling

Answer 50

When there is a regular pattern in selecting respondents

Question 51

Define: Stratified Sampling

Answer 51

When the sampling frame is divided by example age or gender.

Question 52

Define: Sampling Frame

Answer 52

The population we take the sample from to answer the survey.

Question 53

Define: Structured Interview

Answer 53

An interview where there is a set list of questions to be asked.

Question 54

Define: Semi-structured Interview

Answer 54

an interview with some standarised questions but allowing the researcher some flexibility on what is asked an in what order

Question 55

Define: Unstructured Interview

Answer 55

An interview in which there is not specific set of predetermined questions, although they may have certain topics they may want to cover.

Question 56

Define: Validity

Answer 56

The extent to which findings reflect reality an give a true picture