Practical Factors

Question 1

Time and money

Answer 1

Large scale surveys: expensive and involve lots of researchers
Small scale projects: cheaper and involve only one sociologist but may take years to complete.

Question 2

Funding bodies

Answer 2

Government funding: available in some research areas, not in others
May be politically linked

Question 3

Personal skills

Answer 3

Different for each sociologist.
-good listeners
-good at interacting with others

Question 4

Gaining access

Answer 4

Many social groups=not easily accessible, resulting in particular methods not being suitable for some research.
Eg:covert PO into youth gang= impossible for a MC middle aged sociologist

Question 5

Subject matter

Answer 5

Some groups of people require certain type of method.
Eg: female victims of DV may need a female sociologist

Question 6

Opportunity

Answer 6

Opportunity may occur unexpectedly- restricts the type of method and amount o planning that can be done

Question 7

Resources

Answer 7

Money, equipment, space