Methodology Flashcards
Why we need people to research
To find out information about particular groups in society
People are adaptable
People can provide more in depth info
What issues do researchers research
Cultural impact Differences between genders Crime stats Rape Violence Ethnicity - offending rates Influences/behaviour Effects of the media
What are the 6 main research methods
Questionnaires Structured interviews Semi structured interviews Unstructured interviews Participant observation Non participant
What is a questionnaire
A list of written questions that are completed by a number of respondents. They are normally posted or handed out for self completion
What are the two types of questions that are asked in questionnaires
Closed questions
Open questions
What are closed questions
Often fixed choice and tick box
What are open questions
Questions you would ask if you wanted more in depth answers
Advantages of questionnaires
Reach to large numbers of people
Cheap
Standardised questions means you can compare findings
Provoke more truthful answers because they are anonymous
Disadvantage of questionnaires
Low response rate
People rush their answers
Cannot find peoples opinions if there is a lot of closed questions
Could get other people to fill it out for them (fraud)
What are structured interviews
The researcher reads a list of questions out to the respondent in a particular order. They typically contain closed questions and so produce largely quantitative data
What are unstructured interviews
Instead of having pre planned questions, the interviewer will just have some ideas and topics to cover. This should make the interview less formal & more like a conversation
What are semi structured interviews
Somewhere in between a structured and unstructured interview. Meaning that the interviewer can have pre-set questions but also has the flexibility to follow up on interesting answers given by the respondent
What are focus group interviews
Group interviews where respondents discuss something together, with the researcher present to listen, ask questions & make notes
Advantages of interviews
Respondents more likely to open up, if developed bond with researcher
Good response rate - people more likely to respond better to verbally asked questions
More depth from respondent allowing researcher to find out what they really think
Disadvantages of interviews
Interviewer bias - may encourage interviewee to respond in certain way
Interviewees may try to please interviewer and say what they think the interviewer wants to hear - social desirability
Success of interview lies on interviewer - if they don’t do well the data produced may be inadequate
Different types of observation
Non participant
Participant
Covert
Overt
What is non participant observation
The researcher simply observes the group or event without taking part in it e.g. a two way mirror to observe children playing
What is participant observation
The researcher actually takes part in the everyday life of the group while observing it
Examples of uses of observation
Training professionals Lesson observation in school - Ofsted Police interrogations Undercover police cases Media - Journalism Anthropological
What is overt observation
The researcher makes their true identity & purpose known to those being studied. The sociologist is open about what they are doing
What is covert observation
The study is carried out ‘undercover’. The researchers real identity and purpose is kept concealed from the group being studied. The researcher takes on a false identity and role, usually posing as a genuine member of the deviant or criminal group
Which type of data is obtained from observation
Qualitative
What are obstacles to ‘getting in’ to a group
A researcher’s age, gender, social class, ethnicity or personal appearance
Why is it a good idea to avoid taking leadership roles in participant observation
To not influence those you are observing and it also becomes difficult to get out
