P1 Research Methods

Question 1

Researching Social Life

Answer 1

• Sociologists aim to provide insights into the social world that the ordinary person would not have
• Sociologists argue that common sense is based on our own opinions already held.
  -Sociologists claim the best way to study society is to uncover patterns that would normally remain hidden

Question 2

Gathering data

Answer 2

The first task of research is to simply gather information about the social world.
-Knowledge can take the form of statistical information or it can be observations of people in social solutions
-We need to be careful about accepting these data at face value, as what is a fact for some may not be for others.

Question 3

Establishing Correlations

Answer 3

Research can help us explore relationships between elements of society
-It can be a form of simple correlation
-Sociologists describe correlations as the situation where one social event occurs, another tends to as well.

Question 4

Developing Theories

Answer 4

-The final role of research is to support or disprove a sociological theory
-The information gathered helps sociologists explain why certain social events occur.
-This often involves providing explanations for correlations

Question 5

What is primary data?

Answer 5

Those collected directly by the researcher themselves

Question 6

What is secondary data?

Answer 6

Those which are used by sociologists but have been collected by other people

Question 7

What is quantitative data?

Answer 7

The term used for statistical charts and tables (use things like questionnaires / forms)

Question 8

What is qualitative data?

Answer 8

The term used to describe data in the form of observation or opinion (polls, questionnaires)

Question 9

Reliability

Answer 9

Quality of repeatability, if the same piece of research were repeated by different sociologists

Question 10

Validity

Answer 10

Based on the degree of achieving the intended result

Question 11

Objectivity

Answer 11

The unbiased, neutral perspective of the researcher in conducting social science research

Question 12

Representativeness

Answer 12

The extent to which sample reflects a researchers target population and reflects its characteristics

Question 13

Generalisability

Answer 13

The degree to which you can apply the results of your study to a broader context

Question 14

Informed consent

Answer 14

-Many researchers argue that those they are studying should be given the opportunity to agree or refuse to participate in the research
-This decision should be informed
-Researchers should therefore provide information about the aims of the research

Question 15

Deception

Answer 15

-This means that information is withheld from participant and/or they are provided with false information
-They may be misled about the purpose of the study and the events that may take place during the research
-Participants cannot give their informed consent if they are deceived
-Some researchers argue that deception is justified if there is no other way of gathering data

Question 16

Perception

Answer 16

-Participants privacy should be respected at all times
-Even when participants have given their informed consent, they may be unaware of the extent of intrusion
-Certain methods e.g informal interviews may be like a friendly chat between a researcher and participant
-In this relaxed atmosphere, participants may reveal all sorts of personal and private matters which they may regret later

Question 17

Confidentiality

Answer 17

It is generally agreed that the identity of research participants should be kept confidential

Question 18

Protection from harm

Answer 18

-There is a general agreement that research participant should be protected from harm
-This includes the harmful effects of participating in the research as well as any harmful consequences of the research
Sociological research should not risk physical harm to participants
-There may be a risk of hammering someone emotionally ( asking someone sensitive questions ) / socially ( damaging someone’s reputation or exposing them to ridicule or punishment )

Question 19

What does PERVERT stand for?

Answer 19

Practical
Ethical
Reliability
Validity
Examples
Representatives
Theoretical