P.E.T & Reseasrch Desgin Flashcards
What are practical factors in sociological research?
Practical factors refer to the time, cost, and accessibility of conducting research.
What are key practical issues in research?
- Time & Cost – Some methods (e.g., longitudinal studies) are time-consuming and expensive.
- Access to Participants – Some groups (e.g., criminals, elites) are difficult to reach.
- Skills & Training of Researcher – Some methods (e.g., in-depth interviews) require specific skills.
- Funding – Research may be influenced by the priorities of funding bodies.
Why do sociologists consider practical factors?
To choose a research method that is feasible given their time, budget, and skills.
What are ethical issues in sociological research?
Ethical issues involve ensuring moral responsibility towards participants.
What are the main ethical principles in research?
- Informed Consent – Participants must agree to take part with full understanding.
- Confidentiality & Anonymity – Personal data should be protected.
- Protection from Harm – Participants should not experience physical or psychological harm.
- Right to Withdraw – Participants should be able to leave at any time.
- Deception – Must be avoided unless necessary for research purposes.
- Respect for Vulnerable Groups – Extra care should be taken when studying children, disabled individuals, or those in sensitive situations.
What ethical guidelines must sociologists follow?
The British Sociological Association (BSA) provides guidelines to ensure ethical research practices.
What are theoretical factors in research?
Theoretical factors relate to a sociologist’s perspective, values, and methodological approach when choosing a research method.
What are the two key theoretical perspectives on research methods?
- Positivism – Prefers quantitative, structured methods (e.g., surveys, experiments).
- Interpretivism – Prefers qualitative, unstructured methods (e.g., interviews, observations).
Why do positivists prefer quantitative methods?
They seek objective, reliable, generalizable data to establish cause-and-effect relationships
Why do interpretivists prefer qualitative methods?
They focus on meaning, depth, and subjective experiences, believing reality is socially constructed.
What is methodological pluralism?
The use of both qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a more complete picture of society.
Research Design
Choosing a Research Method
What factors influence a sociologist’s choice of research method?
- P.E.T Considerations – Practical, Ethical, and Theoretical issues.
- Nature of the Topic – Some topics require specific methods (e.g., sensitive topics may need unstructured interviews).
- Aims of the Research – If the goal is generalizability, large-scale surveys are preferred.
Research Design
Primary vs. Secondary Data
What is primary data?
Data collected first-hand by the researcher (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations).
Research Design
Primary vs. Secondary Data
What are the strengths and weaknesses of primary data?
Strengths: Up-to-date, specific to the researcher’s aims, reliable if structured.
Weaknesses: Time-consuming, expensive, potential bias.
Research Design
Primary vs. Secondary Data
What is secondary data?
Data collected by someone else (e.g., government reports, statistics, historical documents).
Research Design
Primary vs. Secondary Data
What are the strengths and weaknesses of secondary data?
Strengths: Cheap, quick, allows comparison over time.
Weaknesses: May be outdated, biased, or lack relevance.
Research Design
Types of Data
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
• Quantitative Data: Numerical, structured, allows statistical analysis (e.g., surveys).
• Qualitative Data: Descriptive, explores meanings and experiences (e.g., interviews).
Research Design
Types of Data
What is triangulation in research?
The use of multiple methods to improve reliability and validity.
Research Design
Sampling Methods
What are the main sampling methods used in sociology?
- Random Sampling – Equal chance of selection, but may not represent all groups.
- Systematic Sampling – Every nth person is selected, reducing bias.
- Stratified Sampling – Population divided into subgroups, then randomly sampled.
- Quota Sampling – Researcher selects participants to fit certain characteristics.
- Snowball Sampling – Used for hard-to-reach groups (e.g., criminals, homeless individuals).
- Opportunity Sampling – Uses whoever is available, but may be biased.
Research Design
Sampling Methods
Why is representative sampling important?
It ensures findings can be generalized to the wider population.
Research Design
Validity & Reliability
What is validity?
The extent to which research measures what it claims to measure.
Research Design
Validity & Reliability
What are the types of validity?
- Internal Validity – Whether the study accurately reflects reality.
- External Validity – Whether findings can be applied to real-world settings.
- Ecological Validity – Whether results apply to real-life situations.
Research Design
Validity & Reliability
What is reliability?
The consistency of research results over time.
Research Design
Validity & Reliability
How can reliability be improved?
Standardized procedures, clear definitions, and replicable methods.
Research Design
Longitudinal Studies & Cross-Sectional Studies
What is a longitudinal study?
Research conducted over a long period of time to track changes and trends.
Research Design
Longitudinal Studies & Cross-Sectional Studies
What are the strengths and weaknesses of longitudinal studies?
Strengths: Shows social change over time, provides detailed data.
Weaknesses: Expensive, time-consuming, risk of participant drop-out.
Research Design
Longitudinal Studies & Cross-Sectional Studies
What is a cross-sectional study?
Research that compares different groups at one point in time.
Research Design
Longitudinal Studies & Cross-Sectional Studies
What are the strengths and weaknesses of cross-sectional studies?
Strengths: Quick, cost-effective, allows comparisons.
Weaknesses: Cannot track changes over time.
Research Design
Experiments in Sociology
What are the three types of experiments used in sociology?
- Laboratory Experiment – High control, but low ecological validity.
- Field Experiment – Real-world setting, but less control over variables.
- Natural Experiment – No direct manipulation, IV occurs naturally.
Research Design
Experiments in Sociology
Why are experiments less common in sociology than in psychology?
Ethical concerns, difficulties in controlling variables, and the complexity of human behavior in real-life settings.
