P.E.T

Question 1

Practical

Answer 1

is it possible and realistic to conduct the research in real life circumstances

Question 2

ethical

Answer 2

does the research have the potential to cause harm to anyone? are there any moral issues to consider?

Question 3

Theoretical

Answer 3

what types of data will be gained? what are the strengths and limitations of data

Question 4

practical factors, time

Answer 4

participant observations are a more time consuming than questionaries

Question 5

practical factors, researcher characteristics

Answer 5

Some researchers may be unable to do undercover research due to their CAGE.​

Some may not be skilled e.g. at interviews and need training.​

Lab experiments require high skill.​

Question 6

practical factors, access

Answer 6

How easy is it for the researcher to access the participants?​

e.g. access to schools will need a DBS check and agreement from a gatekeeper (headteacher).​

Secondary research does not require participants so easier.​

Question 7

practical factors, money and funding

Answer 7

Researcher needs to consider how to fund the research.​

Some methods are more expensive than others​

Research may be funded by government, charities or universities but government prefer quantitative research.

Question 8

ethical factors, deception

Answer 8

This means concealing the truth from the participants being studied.​

The participants should know who you are and that you are researching them​

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Covert observations do not allow this – sometimes can be justified if participants are debriefed after

Question 9

ethical factors, right to withdraw

Answer 9

Participants should be able to drop out of the research at any point if they wish.​

This is easily done with interviews, questionnaires and experiments​

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Covert research does not allow for this​

Question 10

ethical factors, informed consent

Answer 10

Participants need to read and sign a consent form as proof they are aware of the research and agree to take part.​

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Covert observations and some experiments are unable to do this.​

Question 11

ethical factors, protection from harm

Answer 11

This applies to both participants and researcher.​

Should not place anybody at risk – e.g. danger/illegal activity/ stress etc. ​

Information gained should be kept confidential ​

Question 12

ethical factors, sensitivity of topic

Answer 12

Topics that participants may find embarrassing, awkward or distressing e.g. sex, poverty, domestic abuse.​

​People may prefer to answer anonymously. Group interviews should not be used.

Question 13

theoretical factors, positivism

Answer 13

Prefer scientific research and like methods that are large scale like questionnaires that can be generalised.​
Methods tend to be high in reliability and quantitative ​

Question 14

theoretical factors, interpretivism

Answer 14

Look to achieve understanding of human behaviour.​

They look for insight (verstehen) into the lives of those that they are studying.​

Smaller scale, qualitative and valid methods are favoured.​

Question 15

theoretical factors, quantitative data

Answer 15

Data that is presented/generated in numerical form that identify patterns and trends.​
It is useful for government to have an overview of problems that can be identified through these methods.​

Question 16

theoretical factors, qualitative data

Answer 16

Data presented in descriptive form that requires making interpretations.​
Focuses on meanings and how individuals interpret events.​

Less likely to be applied to social policy

Question 17

theoretical factors, reliability and validity

Answer 17

Reliability means the method is consistent. Researchers who want this will opt for statistics/questionnaires ​
Validity means how accurate and in-depth the data is. Methods like unstructured interviews.​