Lesson 10 (Ethics And Pilot Studies)

Question 1

What is a pilot study?

Answer 1

A small scale preliminary study that sociologists do before their main research. It’s likes a text run using a small sample of participants to see if the research has any flaws/ need changes to it and whether or not is it bias.

Question 2

Advantages to pilot studies?

Disadvantages to pilot studies?

Answer 2

Ads: saves money and time as it prevents the main research from going wrong, ensures method is valid

Disadvs: the pilot study itself might be costly, may draw focus away from main study/ judgements in main study may be impacted, can’t use same sample

Question 3

Why is ethics/ participants consent important when conducting research?

Answer 3

To ensure participants’ (and even researchers’) safety is regarded

Question 4

What is Bulmers (2001) 7 principals of ethical research?

Answer 4

1) informed consent (better if its written) from participant
2) respect for privacy of participants
3) Protection from harm
4) safeguarding the confidentiality of data [data should be kept anonymous]
5) Avoid deception, no lying to participants [if its necessary to deceit a debriefing will be needed afterwards]
6) participants should have awareness of the consequences of publication
7) right to withdraw

Question 5

What are ethical issues?

Answer 5

Matters of moral principles that can effect research process