Methods in context

Question 1

When answering methods questions, what does PERVERT stand for?

Answer 1

Practicality
Evidence
Reliability
Validity
Ethical concerns
Representativeness
Theoretical standing

Question 2

What is Quantitative data? Give examples and advantages.

Answer 2

It is numerical data and anything that can be recorded statistically. It can include surveys, some questionnaires and experiments. High reliability and low validity.

Question 3

What is Qualitative data? Give examples and advantages.

Answer 3

Any data that is non numerical, includes observations, unstructured interviews and focus groups. High Validity but low reliability.

Question 4

What is primary data?

Answer 4

Data collected directly by the researcher.

Question 5

What is secondary data?

Answer 5

Existing data that is looked at by the researcher. examples include Ofsted reports and government statistics.

Question 6

What is methodological pluralism?

Answer 6

It is the use of a variety of methods and types of data in a single research study.

Question 7

What is triangulation?

Answer 7

This is using a variety of different methods to check that the results obtained from one method are valid and reliable. This can be qualitative and quantitative

Question 8

Which sociological perspectives are considered positivist and how do they approach research?

Answer 8

It is an approach based on objectivity and science. It includes Marists and Functionalists and usually uses quantitative data to draw reliable conclusions.

Question 9

Do positivists see sociology as a science and what do they seek to discover through research?

Answer 9

Positivists seek to discover patterns of behaviour and see sociology as a science.

Question 10

Strengths of the positivist approach :

Answer 10

Scientific, easy to replicate, less time consuming to examine data, high reliability and supports individual responsibility for behaviours.

Question 11

Limitations of the Positivist approach :

Answer 11

Doesn’t look at social factors that impact on individuals, Gives facts / figures not reasons. It is reductionist meaning it oversimplifies causes for behaviour to one thing. It undervalues societal structure and doesn’t give an in depth analysis.

Question 12

Which sociological perspectives are considered interpretivist and how do they approach research?

Answer 12

It uses an approach from the subjects perspective. Tends to use qualitative data as it is more valid and this approach derives from social action theory.

Question 13

Do interpretivists see sociology as a science and what do they seek to discover through research?

Answer 13

Interpretivists seek to understand the meanings of social actors and they reject the view that sociology is a science.

Question 14

What is the general view of interpretivists on society?

Answer 14

They see the world socially constructed where knowledge is created by society and it changes within cultures. Something we see as an everyday item may be seen as a danger within another culture.

Question 15

Strengths of interpretivist view?

Answer 15

Allows us to see that behaviour is affected by society. Allows us to examine external factors. Suggests behaviour is unpredictable. Allows for in depth research with high validity.

Question 16

Limitations of the interpretivist approach?

Answer 16

Controlled by a researcher so can lead to biased results. Time consuming and difficult to replicate. Takes away from individual responsibility. Focus on external forces.

Question 17

What is the 3 main differences between studying young people and studying adults?

Answer 17

1. Power and status – When researching pupils researchers might do group interviews rather than formal interviews to overcome the inherent power difference.
2. Ability – researchers must think about wording that is applicable for the person they are interviewing. Eg less developed language with younger students.
3. Vulnerability and ethical issues – Should the interviewees be made aware of what the research entails or is trying to prove. Will they understand? How long should they be questioned for? Is involvement from the child necessary and will it benefit them? Guidelines must be followed.

Question 18

How should teachers be researched?

Answer 18

Teachers may see classroom as ‘their’ classroom, so researcher could be seen as a trespasser.
Teachers may be over worked so questions should be kept brief and insightful. Teachers may put on an act for the researcher this is impression management.

Question 19

How should schools be researched?

Answer 19

Because of legal framework, researchers will be restricted as to what information and how much they can receive.
Some situations off limits for example teacher meetings with students and their parents.
Beynon and Atkinson (1984) ‘gatekeepers’ such as head teachers will often steer the researcher away from sensitive situations, such as classes where the teacher may have poor classroom management.
Schools operate on a timetable that may pose restrictions to when the research can be carried out.

Question 20

Researching parents :

Answer 20

Parents influence schools by how they bring up their children and if they are involved in schools i.e. attending parent teacher meetings and sitting on a board of Governors.
Parents are usually physically outside of the school, this makes them more difficult to research.
Social class and ethnicity of parents play a very important role within schooling. Unfortunately class and ethnic differences between sociologists and some parents may be a barrier to researching this issue, e.g. language barriers.