Methods Past Paper Short Markers Flashcards
4 marks
Suggest two disadvantages of longitudinal studies
Sample attrition
Problems processing the large amount of info produced
Hawthorne effect
Costly
Demographic changes in the research population
2 marks
Explain what is meant by the term objectivity
Absence of bias or prejudice - keeping personal opinions out of research
4 marks
Suggest two advantages of using structured interviews in sociological research
Cheap Quick Training is straightforward High response rate Repeatable
4 marks
Suggest two reasons why sociologists sometimes use a pilot study
Test the sampling method
Give interviewers practice
Refine/clarify questions to be asked
Test the data analysis technique
4 marks
Suggest two problems of using official stats
They lack validity
May be politically biased
May be out of date
Errors may be made when collecting the data
2 marks
Explain what is meant by the term interview schedule
List of questions to be asked in an interview
2 marks
Explain what is meant by the operationalisation of sociological concepts
Defining sociological concept in such a way that they can be studied/measured
4 marks
Suggest two reasons why the results obtained from a postal questionnaire may not be representative of the population it aims to study
Those with strong views are more likely to complete the questionnaire
Only those with time will complete it
Only those will adequate literacy skills complete it
May be lost due to low response rate
May be complete by someone who isn’t apart of the research population
4 marks
Suggest two factors that may influence a sociologists choice of research topic
Theoretical perspective Funding bodies Availability of data Personal interest Accessibility of the research context or group
4 marks
Suggest two problems of covert participant observation
Lack of informed consent Unrepresentative Not reliable Difficultly recording/remembering data Negative consequences of the researchers cover being blown
4 marks
Suggest two sampling techniques
Random Quota Snowball Opportunity Stratified random
4 marks
Suggest two problems of using documents in sociological research
Lack of representativeness
Difficultly of access
Lack of authentically/credibility
Interpreting authors meanings
4 marks
Explain the difference between a sampling frame and a sample
Sample frame is a list of people in a population
A sample is the individuals selected from the population to take part in the research
2 marks
Explain what is meant by validity
A true authentic picture of the thing being studied
2 marks
Explain what is meant by the Hawthorne effect
When people behave differently because they know they are being studied
