Methods in context key concepts Flashcards
key concepts to learn
Practical
How easy or hard research is to do, in terms of time, money, access, analysing data etc.
Ethical
How morally correct research is, in terms of causing harm, getting consent etc.
Representative
If the sample looks like the wider population
Reliable
Whether research can be repeated in exactly the same way
Valid
A true picture of behaviour gained from a representative sample
Generalisability
The ability to apply the findings to the whole group
Representative sample
A small proportion of the group is selected as a representation of the larger population
Informed consent
When people know exactly what the research involves and agree to take part
Anonymity
Keeping people’s names and identities secret
Covert
When participants don’t know about the research (closed)
Overt
When participants know research is taking place (open)
Response rate
How many people take part in the research
Primary research
Research you conduct yourself
Secondary research
Data that already exists that you then use
Unstructured
When there are few or no set questions or things to observe for
Structured
When there are set questions or things to observe for, like a check-list
Going Native
When the researcher becomes so much a part of the group they’re no longer objective
Positivism
A perspective on research which emphasises scientific, quantitative, reliable and representative methods
Interpretivism
A perspective on research which emphasises free will, and the importance of valid, subjective methods.
Social desireability
When people give answers or behave in a certain way to make themselves look good
Qualitative
Descriptive data, usually about thoughts & feelings, and presented in words.
Quantitative
Data, usually presented in numbers, presented as statistics, graphs etc
Hawthorne effect
When people change their behaviour because they know they’re being watched
Interviewer bias
When researchers ask leading questions, or influence the respondents’ answers with their body language
Interviewer effect
When the gender, age, class, ethnicity or other characteristics of the researcher affect the respondent
