EXAM TECHNIQUES

Question 1

Order of essay

Answer 1

• Introduction
• Para 1: Practical
• Para 2: Theoretical
• Conclusion

(30mins - 25mins write, 5mins read)

Question 2

Introduction

Answer 2

• explain the context (state item explicitly)
• definition
• who uses this method: interpretivists or positivists?
• quantitative and/or qualitative data?
• link method to context (briefly): “practical and theoretical issues must be considered when investigating…, such as the cost and the validity”

Question 3

Para 1: Practical

Answer 3

• practical advantage 1
• link to context (give example of how it coule be used)
• criticism
• practical advantage 2
• link to context
• criticism/disadvantage

Question 4

Para 2: Theoretical

Answer 4

• theoretical advantage 1
• link to context (give example of how it coule be used)
• criticism
• theoretical advantage 2
• link to context
• criticism/disadvantage

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

• overall…
• does pros outweigh the cons?
• state an ethical (dis)advantage
• state another (new/old) disadvantage
• state an alternative method and why (linking to context)
• end with a judgement of the two methods (methodical triangulation to improve validity?)

Question 6

Interpretivists

Answer 6

study of being, individuals, small scale (focus on meanings)

qualitative data

Question 7

Positivists

Answer 7

scientific, large scale (focus on patterns)

quantitative data

Question 8

Quantitative data

Answer 8

information in numerical form

Question 9

Qualitative data

Answer 9

gives a ‘feel’ for what something is, subjective opinions

Question 10

What to comment on?

Answer 10

who is being researched:

• students
• teachers
• parents

where is the research happening:

• classroom
• lab
• outside/natural environment

sensitivity of this type of research (ethical issues)

Question 11

Practical issues (overview)

Answer 11

• time and money
• requirements of funding bodies (using methods to obtain quantitative data)
• subject matter (male researching females?)
• personal skill level
• research opportunity (may be unexpected)

Question 12

Theoretical issues (overview)

Answer 12

• validity (true picture)
• reliability (gives the same results every time)
• representativeness (large-scale data is better)

Question 13

Ethical issues (overview)

Answer 13

• informed consent
• confidentiality and privacy
• harm to research participants (e.g. harm to employment prospects or social exclusions)
• vulnerable groups (e.g. children, elderly)
• covert research (seen as deceiving and lying)