P.E.T Theory and methods Sociology

Question 1

theoretical issue

Answer 1

A true picture of what something is like

Question 2

practical issue

Answer 2

Factors such as time and money or limited access that will restrict the researcher when carrying out their study

Question 3

ethical issue

Answer 3

Ethical concerns relate to the rights of the participant in research. being involved can in research can affect on the lives of participants. the researcher has a moral obligation to take this into account when carrying out this research

Question 4

(TI) validity

Answer 4

A true, full picture of what is being studied. it is not repeatable as there is different results that may occur

Question 5

(TI) reliability

Answer 5

Research is replicable/repetitive, when repeated by another researcher the results will stay the same

Question 6

(TI) representativeness

Answer 6

Whether or not the participants are a good cross section of the group the researcher is interested in.

Question 7

(PI) personal skills and characteristics

Answer 7

Every researcher is different and therefore may be limited in their choices of methods. look for things with sociological relevance.

Question 8

(PI) research opportunity

Answer 8

In some cases research opportunities may occur unexpectedly, and may take longer to prepare.

Question 9

(PI) requirements from funding bodies

Answer 9

Governments, business’, universities etc may require different types of data and therefore the researcher has limited choice. this limits research methods we can use

Question 10

(PI) subject matter

Answer 10

The subject or social group being studied may influence the type of study being carried out.

Question 11

(PI) time and money

Answer 11

Different methods use up various amounts of resources. participant observations are cheap but take up a lot of time.

Question 12

(EI) confidentiality and privacy

Answer 12

When you do not reveal participant personal info, and that all participant identities should be kept confidential to prevent any negative effects

Question 13

(EI) vulnerable groups

Answer 13

Extra care and attention should be given to any group/participants

Question 14

(EI) informed consent

Answer 14

Purpose and aims of the research, consent to data being used, researcher has to be open and honest , participant has a right to withdraw

Question 15

(EI) effects on research participants

Answer 15

No psychological or physical harm should come to the participants

Question 16

(EI) covert research

Answer 16

This is when the researcher goes undercover and keeps their identity as a researcher hidden from the participants

Question 17

interpretivism

Answer 17

An approach which focuses on the meanings and definitions which guide and direct behaviour. (favoured by interactionists). Prefer qualitative data and dont think sociology is a science. they look to explain the meaning we create in our interactions with others.

Question 18

positivism

Answer 18

Prefer quantitative data and see sociology as a science. They look out for patterns of behaviour and believe that society has an objective factual reality.

Question 19

quantitative data

Answer 19

Numerical data - information in the form of numbers

Question 20

qualitative data

Answer 20

All types of data that are not in the form of numbers (e.g using words)