DJs: Research Methods Flashcards
A) What is primary data?
B) Give an advantage of using this data:
C) Give a disadvantage of using this data:
A) Primary data refers to information which was not present before the research began. It is produced by the research first-hand during the actual study from questionnaires, interviews, observations etc.
B) Sociologists will be gather precisely the information they need to test their hypotheses.
C) However, doing so can be both time-consuming and expensive.
A) What is secondary data?
B) Give an advantage of suing secondary data.
C) Give a disadvantage
A) Secondary data refers to data which already exists. It includes data from historical records, official statistics, government reports, newspapers, diaries, autobiographies, novels etc.
B) Can be a quick and cheap way of doing research.
C) The data may have been produced for a different reason than what the sociologist is researching into. This means that the sociologist may not be able to find data which links exactly to their topic. This can make it harder to prove their hypothesis.
What is quantitative data?
-Quantitative data refers to information in numerical form which can be subject to statistical analysis. It is particularly useful for measuring the strength of relationships between different factors/variables. It can be shown as statistics and displayed in pictorial form.
What qualitative data?
- All types of data that are not in numerical form. This data can often provide a richer and more in-depth picture of social life than the statistics provided by quantitative data. It gives you a ‘feel’ for what something is like.
What does it mean if data is valid?
-If it presents a true, genuine and accurate picture, description of measurement which enables the researcher t get close to the truth.
What does it mean if data is reliable?
-Data is reliable when different researchers using the same methods obtain the same results - it is replicated.
What are PET factors?
-P: practical
-E: Ethical
-T:Theoretical
List the practical issues which may affect which research method a sociologist uses:
-Time and money
-Funding body
-Personal skills and social status
-Research opportunity.
Explain the practical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Time and money
- The time they have to conduct research may influence the method they opt for, as some or much more time consuming than others. E.g. Interviews are more time consuming than questionnaires
-The amount of money available may restrict or allow for a certain type of method e.g. questionnaires are cheap to make and send out, interviews are more costly.
Explain the practical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Funding Body
-Whoever is funding the research can have a powerful influence over how the research is conducted, what form the results are in and the duration of the research.
Explain the practical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Personal skills and social status.
-personal skills can determine preferred research methods due to how attached they are e.g. some sociologists may like the idea of interviews, while others feel out of their comfort zone
-Social status can impact their ability to effectively carry out research. E.g., ethnicity, gender, class and age can all be factors which act as an advantage/barrier when it comes to a particular group being researched.
Explain the practical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Research opportunity
-sometimes the research opportunity turns up unexpectedly whereas in others it is planned well in advance, this will impact on the suitability of certain methods.
List the ethical issues which may affect which research method a sociologist uses:
-Informed consent
-Confidentiality and privacy
-Protection
-Vulnerable groups
Explain the ethical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Informed consent
-Research participants should be given the opportunity to agree or refuse to participate in research. The decision should be ‘informed’ so some information of the study should be offered so that they can make a fully informed decision and should not be deceived.
Explain the ethical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Confidentiality and privacy
-Researchers should respect the privacy of the participants and the identity and personal information of the participants should be kept confidential.
Explain the ethical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Protection
-Researchers need to be aware of the possible effects of their work on those they study and where possible should try to anticipate and prevent any harmful consequences.
Explain the ethical issue which may impact which research method a sociologist uses: Vulnerable groups
-Special care should be taken when research participants are particularly because of their age, physical or mental health, etc.
