Research methods Flashcards
Which research methods generate quantitative data?
Postal Questionnaires
Structured Interviews
Surveys
Official statistics
Which research methods generate qualitative data?
Non participant observation
Participant observation
Unstructured interviews
Case studies
What are the stages of the research process?
Theory- examining theories which relate to topic
Hypothesis- researcher comes up with a statement which can be proved or disproved
Operationalisation- describes how they will put research into practice
Fieldwork- carrying out research by implementing chosen methods
Processing of Results- Analysis of data and presentation of findings
Features of surveys/questionnaires
Quantitative, primary
Used to gain statistical information that can be used to represent wider
populations
Involves a pre-set of questions that respondents answer.
Questions will most likely be ‘closed’ questions and will be standardised –
every respondent is asked the same questions.
Most answers will be limited to such responses as ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘sometimes’,
‘unsure’, or may take the form of factual information, but some scope for open
answers.
Advantages of surveys/questionnaires
Large sample Reliable Good for measuring trends Cost and time effective Can ensure anonymity for ethics and honest answers
Disadvantages of surveys/questionnaires
Lack validity
Poor response rate
Answers possibly superficial
Examples of surveys
Scottish crime and justice survey which is published annually and asks 5500 respondents for their perceptions and experience of crime
Examples of questionnaires
the largest postal questionnaire is the census which takes place in the UK every 10 years, the most recent census was in 20121 for England and Wales
Features of structured interviews
Primary, qualitative
Closed questions
All respondents asked same questions
Carried out face to face
Advantages of structured interviews(4)
Reliable
Good response rate as questions asked there and then
Easy to quantify
Respondents can ask for clarification
Disadvantages of structured interviews (4)
Lack validity
Time consuming
Cannot be anonymous- ethical issues
Hawthorne effect
Examples of structured interviews
British Social Attitudes survey compromised a questionnaire and a series of structured interviews with results published annually.
Features of official statistics
Secondary, quantitative
Use data published by government or other public bodies
Used to analyse trends in social behaviour
Advantages of official statistics (4)
Reliable
Quick and low cost
Good for measuring trends
Uses large representative samples
Disadvantages of official statistics (4)
Lacks validity
Statistical iceberg
No control over bias- secondary research
Indicators of criteria change with time- hard to compare
Example of official statistics (1)
ONS publish reports frequently, eg. the public sector finance reports monthly
Strengths of unstructured interviews (3)
High validity- clarification
Good for ascertaining meaning, feelings and reasoning behind behaviour
Respondent and researcher have more control
Strengths of unstructured interviews (3)
High validity- clarification
Good for ascertaining meaning, feelings and reasoning behind behaviour
Respondent and researcher have more control
Disadvantages of unstructured interviews (6)
Not reliable Interview bias Hawthorne effect Hard to quantify results High time and money Not anonymous- ethics
Example of unstructured interviews
feminist sociologist ann oakley conducted a detailed study entitled ‘from here to maternity’ in 1981 based on conducting unstructured interviews with new mothers, she found there was an unequal division of labour in the home
Example of Hawthorne effect
J Williams (1960s) found respondents were more likely to approve of civil rights movement if the interviewer was black
Advantages of participant observation (4)
Valid
Gives in-depth realistic picture of social behaviour
Good for exploring meaning, feelings and interactions
No Hawthorne effect if covert
Disadvantages of participant observation (5)
Not reliable
Difficult to quantify results
High time
Difficult for researcher to remain objective
Individuals don’t know they’re being observed- ethics
Disadvantages of participant observation (5)
Not reliable
Difficult to quantify results
High time
Difficult for researcher to remain objective
Individuals don’t know they’re being observed- ethics
Features of non-participant observation (3)
Primary, qualitative
Covert or overt
Researcher observes group behaviour without joining
Advantages of non-participant observation (3)
Valid
Less room for bias as researcher isn’t involved
No Hawthorne effect if covert
Disadvantages of non-participant observation (4)
Non reliable
Hawthorne effect if overt
Difficult to quantify behaviour
Individuals don’t know they’re being observed in covert- ethics
Example of non-participant observation (1)
Laud Humphrey (1970) ‘Tearoom Trade’ was a covert observation of homosexual activity in male public toilets
Features of case studies (2)
Primary and secondary, qualitative but can use quantitative methods
A range of research methods are used to research chosen topic
Advantages of case studies (2)
Combination of research methods allows in depth understanding and analysis
Valid
Disadvantages of case studies (2)
Time consuming
Not reliable
Examples of case studies (2)
Eileen Barker (1984) 'The Making of A Moonie' used many methods to research Unification church including interviews, participant observation and questionnaires Paul Willis (1977) 'Learning to Labour' used observation, discussion and interviews to research working class boys in the west Midlands
Features of focus groups (2)
Primary, qualitative
Collect data through group interaction
Advantages of of focus groups (4)
Valid
Some may feel more comfortable in group setting
Allows for discussion
Respondents can reflect on other answers
Disadvantages of focus groups (4)
Not reliable
Hawthorn effect
Peer pressure
Can be dominated by one or two members
Examples of focus groups (1)
‘Conservative Home’ a right wing group conducted a series of focus groups in the run up to the 2019 general election to discuss policies
