Factors influencing choice of methods Flashcards
1
Q
Three Issues influencing choice of methods
A
- Practical
- Ethical
- Theoretical
2
Q
Practical Issues
A
- Time and money
- Funding bodies
- Personal skills and characteristics
- Subject matter
- Research opportunity
3
Q
Time and money (P)
A
- Different methods require different time and money
- Researcher’s access to resources can be a major factor in determining which methods they employ.
4
Q
Funding bodies (P)
A
- Organisations that provide funding for research may require results to be in a particular form. (Qual / Quan)
- Sociologist will have to use a method capable of producing such data.
5
Q
Personal skills and characteristics (P)
A
- Each sociologist possessed different skills and this may affect their ability to use different methods.
- Participant observation: ability to mix easily with others as well as good powers of observation and recall.
- Depth interviews: ability to establish a rapport with interviewee.
6
Q
Subject matter (P)
A
- Much harder to study certain subjects
- e.g. Fielding’s study of the National Front (would have been met with suspicion had he not appeared sympathetic to views and been white)
7
Q
Research opportunity (P)
A
- Sometimes opportunities for research occur unexpectedly. (not possible to use structured methods0
- Glasgow gang leader offered Patrick the chance to spend time with his gang ‘out of the blue’.
8
Q
Ethical Issues
A
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Harm to research participants
- Vulnerable Groups
- Covert Research
9
Q
Informed consent (E)
A
- Participants should be able to refuse to be involved.
- The researcher should also tell them about all relevant aspects of the research
- Consent should be obtained before research begins
10
Q
Confidentiality (E)
A
- Researchers should keep identity of research participants secret in order to help to prevent possible negative effects on them.
