Methods: research process Flashcards
Reliability
When research can be repeated in the exact same way, because the procedure is standardised. Correlations can be discovered as the results are comparable.
Positive sociologists
They argue, sociology can and should we replicate the natural sciences.
Objective
factual based research, no judgment/ interpretations are involved
Validity
When research reveals the true picture of what is being studied. it was allow for verstenn (having an empathetic understanding of the actions form the actors point of view)
Interprevist sociologists
They argue sociology cannot and should not try to replicate the natural sciences
Sample
A smaller sub-group drawn from a target group.
When you chose a sample, it’s called sampling
Target population
A group of individuals a researcher wants to study
Sampling frame
A list of all the member of the population the researcher is interested in studying
Representativeness
When the sample reflects the social characteristics of the target population
Generalist
When the data collected from a sample can be applied correctly to the target population
Over represent
When you use too many of the same people
Probability sampling
•Use a sampling frame
•Most are represented. as they reflect the population
•Everyone has the same chance of being selected
Non-probability sampling
•May not be a sampling frame to use
•Some target population are difficult to access
•Not representative
stratified sampling
The target population is divided into categories to complete the sampling process
Snowball sampling
When one participants recruit others from the same target population
7 steps of researching a topic
1) select a topic
2) literature review
3) create a research questions
4) acres a sample
5) collect data using a method
6) analyse data
7) present findings
Qualitative data
-people’s real opinions (documents)
-a lot of detail (interviews)
-detailed notes
Quantitative
Statistic
Strengths and limitations of qualitative
Strengths: Collect more descriptive data
limitations: Can’t see clear trends, time consuming
Strengths and limitations of quantitative
Strengths: can see trends
limitations: don’t get opinions
Pilot study
a small trial to test a particular research method before using it in a real investigation
Operationalisation
To change something from being subjective, to objective (only being able to interpret something one way)
Why operationalisation?
So everyone has the same understanding
Identity trends and patterns
Standardised
All the same
Why use pilot study??
To be in a safe environment, and to check it works and correct errors
This saves money
Random sampling
Every sampling unit has an equal chance of being chosen
Systematic sampling
A method is divides to enable systematic selection (pulling a name out the hat)
Stratified sampling
Population is divided into groups according to important variables (gender) the chosen in the same proportions as their prevalence in the population
Quota sampling
Determine how many people which specific characteristics are studied
Once quota is filled no more people in that category are included
Strengths and limitations of quantitative
Strengths: can see trends
limitations: don’t get opinions
Opportunity sampling
When the researcher selects participants based on their availability
Generalisability
The extent to which the findings of a study can be applied to other situations
Representatives
When sample mirrors a researchers target population and reflects its characteristics
Response rate
the number of people who answered the survey divided by the number of people in the sample
Validity
how far the research can provide a true picture of what is being studied
Reliability
Research that can be repeated because is had been standardised
Practical
Strengths or limitations relating to time, money and logistics of a research study
Ethical
Strengths or limitations relating to consent, protecting from harm and right to withdraw regarding the participants, the research and wider society
Theoretical
The framework that’s informs how a sociologist selects their favourite topic of study. Different types of data are favoured by different perspectives because of various reasons
