Methods Concepts Flashcards
Primary Data
First hand, original information, i.e. data collected by researchers themselves during the course of their work, e.g. interviews, questionnaires.
Secondary Data
Information that has already been produced, by other sociologists but often by people other than sociologists, e.g. official statistics, personal documents.
Quantitative data
Numerical information, i.e. data in statistical form, e.g. questionnaire, statistics.
Qualitative data
All types of information not in the form of numbers, but usually presented in words, e.g. an interview transcript.
Reliability
The degree to which something, if repeated, would give the same or very similar results.
Replicability
The ability to repeat a method. Reliability initially requires replicability.
Validity
The extent to which the research measures what it actually sets out to measure and the extent to which the findings are a true reflection of people’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour.
Representativness
How typical the sample is, i.e. a cross-section of the population. Representative data allows generalising.
Generalisability
The ability to apply research findings from one setting to another. The amount that information from a specific example / sample can be generalised to apply to the overall population.
Objectivity
When the researcher is detached, unprejudiced, unbiased and open to whatever the evidence may reveal.
Subjectivity
The viewpoint of the researcher features in the research; can lead to bias, i.e. distortion of results.
Value Freedom
The researcher’s values, beliefs and opinions are detached from the research process and do not prejudice the results.
Value laden
Belief that sociology cannot be value free and that it is a mistake to see it as such.
Operationalisation
Defining concepts so that they can be measured, e.g. social class via income / occupation.
Sample
A group selected by the researcher from the survey population for study purposes; a small version that represents something larger.
Triangulation
Using different researchers and / or combining different research methods and different types of data in order to check the validity and reliability of findings.
Methodological Pluralism
Combining different research methods and different kinds of data in order to build up a fuller picture of social life. Approaches are combined to add reliability and validity.
Ethics
Issues of right and wrong. There are professional ethical guidelines to help sociologists, e.g. the BSA. In research it is wrong to harm anyone so steps should be taken to protect participants.
Interpretivists
Adopt a non-scientific approach when examining social phenomena and favour the use of qualitative methods and sources of data.
Positivists
Adopt a scientific approach when examining social phenomena and favour the use of quantitative methods and sources of data.
Realists
Recognise that both interpretivism and positivism are useful. They select methods that are most suitable for the issue that is being studied.
Correlation
A connection between two things, e.g. two variables and how they relate to each other; may be positive or negative.
Casual relationship
One thing brings about / ‘causes’ another, e.g. declining stigma linked to rise in divorce.
Hypothesis
A testable statement or prediction. If research confirms a hypothesis, then it also supports the theory.
Variables
An identifiable social characteristic that can be isolated in research, e.g. gender, age etc. Positivists often investigate the relationship between variables.
Dependent Variables
The factor being acted upon, e.g. educational achievement. (effect)
Independent Variables
The active, change-causing factor, e.g. amount of study. (cause)
