examples of research methods

Question 1

surveys

Answer 1

survey gizmo and survey monkey - income inequality at its highest level for past 50 years in OECD countries . average income of the top 10 is nine times bottom 0 across the OECD, 7 times higher than 25 years ago
validity could be strengthened by a pilot survey to revise any ambiguities surrounding how questions were put in the survey so it is not repeated in the actual one.
structured with closed questions which limits the scope of respondents to elaborate on given responses albeit it is easier for respondents to answer, so there are higher response rates
could lie or misunderstand questions

Question 2

face to face interviews

Answer 2

time consuming and impractical for the researchers to travel distances to collate data. follow up focus group study to affirm validity and reliability
respondents more likely to understand because they can ask what the researcher means
unstructured approach can result in more probing data.
humphreys 1965 research at washington uni when it unethically invaded privacy and threatened social standing when the identities of the subjects were exposed in his studies

Question 3

official statistics

Answer 3

office for national statistics - the number of uk parliamentary electoral registrations fell by 0.7% between dec 2020 and 2021 - around 350000 less.

Question 4

case studies

Answer 4

brexit case study by ivory research
“Vote Leave proponents believed that GBP350 million that is sent to the EU weekly is too much and this fund could be used for improving healthcare systems in the country”
“internationalism is soon fading, and each nation is beginning to consider their interest firsthand before those of others.”

Question 5

focus groups

Answer 5

mid80s - people spoke on the psychological effects on the aids community. one of the first studies that opened up more research and insight into the illness; many of the speakers in the group were unhappy with the fact that aids was not being taken seriously enough by doctors at the time

Question 6

covert observation

Answer 6

2009 sociologist pearson studied the behaviour of blackpool fc supporters, undercover as a law student. he attended 78 matches. he had to commit some offences to blend in with the other supporters. a lot of info was probably forgotten because he couldnt take notes at the actual games
1977 ditton on bakery fiddling, had to keep going to the toilet to takes notes. frequency led to concern and she had to reveal to the concerned coworkers that she was doing research

Question 7

semi structured interviews

Answer 7

“the impact of the transition to personal independence payment on claimants with mental health problems” - fiona and mccormack - 2021. asked the question what is the imapct of the transition from dla to pip on claimants who have mental health problems. semi structured highlighted flexibility and qualitative research which is good. the participants were recruited through the database of an independent social welfare advice agency, so the research may have been shaped by the views of people who were eager to express anger at the PIP system. all white british and over 35. not very representative.