Qualitative methods

Question 1

What are the qualitative methods used by Sociologists? Which of these are used most frequently?

Answer 1

Unstructured interviews
Semi-structured interviews
Observations
Letters
Newspaper

Question 2

What are the different types of observational research?

Answer 2

participant-observations
non-participant
covert
overt

Question 3

What are the advantages of overt observation?

Answer 3

+ fewer ethical issues

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of overt observation?

Answer 4

• Hawthorn effect
• Hard to study deviant groups or obtain sensitive information
• data might lack validity

Question 5

What are the advantages of covert observation?

Answer 5

+ no Hawthorne effect
+ good for studying deviant or difficult to study groups
+ people behave naturally which produced data high in validity

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of covert observation?

Answer 6

• going native
• dangerous in some situations
• unethical (deception)

Question 7

What is the different between participant and non-participant observation?

Answer 7

In participant observations, the researcher takes part in the situation. In non-participant observations, they observe externally.

Question 8

What is meant by ethnography?

Answer 8

Ethnography involves the reseracher immersing themselves within a group/ society for an extended period of time- i.e. like participant observation. It produces ‘thick description’ of peoples and cultures with their customs, habits, and mutual differences.

Question 9

What are the advantages of participant observation?

Answer 9

+ verstehen, a real and empathic insight into one’s subject

+ You might gain additional access and physically see more

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of participant observation?

Answer 10

• going native

- harder to make field notes

Question 11

What are the advantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 11

• easier to make notes

- not going native

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 12

• Might not gain insight

- People being observed might find the situation more unnatural and it is more likely for the Hawthorne effect to occur

Question 13

What is meant by a researcher ‘going native’?

Answer 13

Losing objectivity and becoming one with the participants rather than distinguishing yourself as a researcher- developing a bias in favour with those you’re observing

Question 14

Describe the different types of qualitative interview.

Answer 14

unstructured: no preset questions, like a conversation

semi-structured: some preset questions or guidelines but follow up questions and deviance from these is allowed.

Question 15

What are the advantages of qualitative interviews?

Answer 15

+ detail and depth
+ Can go into areas which the researcher would not have thought to ask about
+ good validity
+ good insight

Question 16

What are the potential weaknesses of qualitative interviews?

Answer 16

• hard to analyse
• time consuming, thus expensive
• might go off topic
• can be intense and participants may not agree to go ahead and do it

Question 17

What is a focus group?

Answer 17

Groups to discuss certain topics.

Question 18

What are the advantages of focus groups?

Answer 18

+ Discussion can allow for different views to be expressed
+ Less time to obtain information from several
+ Some sensitive topics are only appropriate to study in a group, such as sexuality

Question 19

What are the potential disadvantages of focus groups?

Answer 19

• No anonymity, feeling uncomfortable saying honest opinions or revealing information in front of others
• people might tend to all agree with one another even if they actually don’t
• quieter people might not be heard
• bad behaviour

Question 20

What is meant by visual methods?

Answer 20

Methods including asking children to draw pictures, giving teenagers disposable cameras and asking them to record. - eliciting visual data from participants. Generally used in tandem with interviews.

Question 21

What are some of the advantages of visual methods?

Answer 21

• gain insight into children’s lives

- might help to begin conversations

Question 22

What are the potential weaknesses of visual methods?

Answer 22

• poor reliability

- needs to be used with other methods

Question 23

What is a ‘snowball sample’?

Answer 23

Having one contact and getting in touch with other contacts through that.

Question 24

What is theoretical sampling?

Answer 24

Choosing people based on them helping you to answer your research question.

Question 25

What is a case study, and why might sociologists carry out a case study?

Answer 25

A case study is a process or record of research into the development of a particular person, group, or situation over a period of time.

Question 26

What are the strengths of the case study method?

Answer 26

+ Detailed

+ Can study things for which the opportunity to study them may not arise often e.g. Genie

Question 27

What are the weaknesses of a case study?

Answer 27

• low external validity
• sample of only 1
• time consuming
• sometimes has ethical issues
• intensive for participant
• cannot be repeated, not reliable