Introduction to research methods

Question 1

Primary data:

Answer 1

data that is collected first hand, for the purpose of the research
- questionnaires
- interviews
- experiments
- observations

Question 2

Secondary data:

Answer 2

data that is collected by others, not for their purpose
- official statistics
- documents
- interviews

Question 3

quantitative data:

Answer 3

data that includes numbers, numerical data = trends and patterns

Question 4

qualitative data:

Answer 4

data that includes words, documents - insight and meaning

Question 5

Positivists :

Answer 5

quantitative data
data = social facts, scientific explanation
look for official stats etc.

Question 6

Interpretivists :

Answer 6

Qualitative data
interpret, meaning
look for the meaning behind things

Question 7

Practical issues:

Answer 7

Time and Money
Requirement of funding bodies
Personal skills and characteristics
Subject matter
Research opportunity

Question 8

Ethical issues:

Answer 8

informed consent
confidentiality and privacy
Effects on research participants
Vulnerable groups
Covert Research

Question 9

Theoretical issues:

Answer 9

validity
reliability
representatives
methodological perspective

Question 10

Define validity:

Answer 10

true to real life and applicable to the real world

Question 11

Define reliability:

Answer 11

it can be repeated

Question 12

types of sampling:

Answer 12

Random - This method involves randomly selecting items without any specific pattern or criteria. Each member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen. For example, drawing names from a hat, quick and easy
Systematic - involves selecting a smaller group of participants from a larger population. Here’s how it works:
Researchers start at a random point and then select subjects at regular intervals (every n th member of the population).
The sampling interval is calculated by dividing the population size by the desired sample size
Stratified - Researchers divide the population into smaller subgroups based on shared characteristics.
They then randomly select samples from each stratum to form the final sample.
Stratified sampling ensures specific subgroups are present in the sample and provides precise estimates of each group’s characteristics.
Snowball - non-probability sampling method where currently enrolled research participants help recruit future subjects for a study
Volunteer - ask for people to volunteer for your study