Choice of topic, method and research design. Flashcards
What are the three main methods that influence the method that a sociologist will use ?
Practicality, Ethics, Theory (PET)
What are four examples of practical issues ?
Time, money, skills and logistics.
What has to sometimes happen to research methods for practical reasons ?
They are unable to go ahead as they cost too much money, very difficult to carry out or take a long period of time.
What is longitudinal research ?
Research that is done over a long period of time.
What is the main disadvantage of longitudinal research ?
It can cost a lot of money, meaning that the funding agencies may not be willing to offer the funds necessary for the project as the results might not be seen for years.
What is another disadvantage of using longitudinal research ?
It might be difficult to find participants willing to be part of a study for a long period of time and results could be lost if participants choose to drop out of the study.
What are the practical methods ?
Time, logistics (finding participants, gaining access to certain areas etc), characteristics and skills of the researcher.
What would concerns about the time and the cost lead to sociologists doing in terms of data.
Using secondary data rather than primary data.
What are the ethical methods ?
Informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, social sensitivity (not sharing data without asking), deception (giving false information to make them take part)
What is methodological pluralism ?
Using a range of research methods / combination.
What sociological groups prefer scientific research methods (theoretical) ?
Positivists, Functionalists, Marxists, Feminists prefer scientific methods that are reliable, easy to analyse and are more representative.
What sociological groups prefer non - scientific research methods ?
Interpretivists, social actionists such as interactionalists prefer non - scientific methods and valid data.
What does S.T.E.P.O.F stand for ? (Theoretical methods)
Specialism, Theoretical perspective, Ethics, Personal interest, Opportunity, Funding.
What does triangulate mean ?
Using a variety of methods to find the same result.
What is an advantage to using case studies ? (Ethical)
Ability to gain both qualitative and quantitative data and lack of expenses.
What is a disadvantage to using case studies ? (Ethical)
Inability to ensure the reliability of the data and the extent to which the findings can be generalised.
What is a pilot study ?
A trial run on a research method, using a very small sample.
Why do pilot study’s use very small samples ?
In order to ensure that the method will work as intended.
What is a main issue that researcher’s find when designing their research (Design methods)
That they need to operationalise their concepts in order to make them measurable. Sociologists need to consider all of the concepts they are using in their research (especially any that are central to their hypothesis / aim) and decide how to define, measure and use each concept.
What can be done with ethical issues ?
Many can be overcome.
What are academic funding bodies or universities most likely to be interested in ?
Precise research questions, the originality of the data and the research design.
