Choosing A Research Method

Question 1

Define primary data.

Answer 1

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Question 2

Give examples of primary data.

Answer 2

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Question 3

Define secondary data.

Answer 3

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Question 4

Give examples of secondary data.

Answer 4

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Question 5

Summarise the following practical issue:

- Time and money

Answer 5

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Question 6

Summarise the following practical issue:

- Requirements of funding bodies

Answer 6

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Question 7

Summarise the following practical issue:

- Personal skills and characteristics

Answer 7

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Question 8

Summarise the following practical issue:

- Subject matter

Answer 8

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Question 9

Summarise the following practical issue:

- Research opportunity

Answer 9

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Question 10

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Informed consent

Answer 10

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Question 11

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Confidentiality and privacy

Answer 11

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Question 12

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Harm to research participants

Answer 12

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Question 13

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Vulnerable groups

Answer 13

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Question 14

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Covert research

Answer 14

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Question 15

Summarise the following theoretical issue:

- Validity

Answer 15

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Question 16

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Reliability

Answer 16

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Question 17

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Representativeness

Answer 17

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Question 18

Summarise the following ethical issue:

- Methodological perspective

Answer 18

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Question 19

Summarise the following factors influencing choice of topic:

• The sociologist’s perspective
• Society’s values

Answer 19

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Question 20

Summarise the following factors influencing choice of topic:

• Practical factors
• Funding bodies

Answer 20

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Question 21

List advantages of an aim.

Answer 21

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Question 22

Summarise the reasons why sociologists may use a pilot study.

Answer 22

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Question 23

Explain the purpose of sampling.

Answer 23

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Question 24

Explain representativeness.

Answer 24

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Question 25

Explain the sampling frame.

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Question 26

List three reasons for using a non-representative sample.

Answer 26

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Question 27

Define the following sample technique and briefly explain why they would not be representative:
- Snowballing sample

Answer 27

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Question 28

Define the following sample technique and briefly explain why they would not be representative:
- Opportunity sampling

Answer 28

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Question 29

Define the following sample technique and briefly explain why they would not be representative:
- Opportunity sampling

Answer 29

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Question 30

Explain why interpretivists do not see representativeness as important.

Answer 30

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