Methods Short Mark Questions Flashcards
2 marks
What is meant by interview schedule
The order of questions
2 marks
What is meant by the term objectivity
When a researcher’s values aren’t affecting their work
2 marks
What is meant by the ‘operationalisation’ of sociological concepts
Ensuring that the variables used are something that you can measure effectively
2 marks
What is meant by the ‘Hawthorne effect’
Tendency of participants to change their behaviour when they know they are being observed
2 marks
What is meant by ‘validity’ in sociological reseacrh
The extent to which data gives a true picture of the subject being studied
2 marks
What is meant by primary data
Data which is collected by yourself
4 marks
Suggest 2 advantages of using unstructured interviews in sociological research
People more likely to talk about sensitive issues
Reliable as it can be repeated
Allows participants to express feeling and for the interviewer to explain any questions
4 marks
Suggest 2 reasons why sociologists sometimes use a pilot study as part of their research
Change any questions that people don’t understand
Ensure that it is a appropriate method to test aims
tests whether they get the same results that they predict
4 marks
Suggest 2 problems of using official statistics in sociological research
Could be false
They may have a political agenda
Some results could be missing due to bias
4 marks
Suggest 2 reasons why the results obtained from a postal questionnaire may not be representative of the population that it aims to study
The aim of the study may not be suited to the population who respond
You don’t know who is filling in the questionnaire
Low response rate - target population may not fill out the questionnaire
4 marks
Suggest 2 factors that may influence a sociologist’s choice of research topic
What they are interested in
Funding
Theoretical approach
Ethical issues
4 marks
Suggest 2 disadvantages that sociologists might find when using unstructured interviews
Closed questions doesn’t allow as much information to be received
Interviewer bias causes socially desirable answers
They may not allow the participant to express their feelings as much as unstructured interviews
4 marks
Suggest 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of using lab experiments
All variables are controlled
Artificial -lack ecological validity
4 marks
Suggest 2 problems of covert participant observation
ethical issues - consent Could put obsever at risk Taks of a lot of training diffiult to interpret information Issues with writing notes down
4 marks
Identify 2 sampling techniques used by sociologists
Snowball sample
Random sample
Stratified sample
Theoretical sample
