Research Methods

Question 1

Strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 1

P- less time consuming and can be distributed to a large sample which increases generaliseability and wider claims can be made
E- self completion so consent is given which can increase validity as participants feel comfortable answering/being honest
T- Standardised questions, replicable, reliable, liked by positivists

Question 2

Weaknesses of questionnaires?

Answer 2

P- Subject to low response rates, this can be made worse by standardised answers. Can affect generaliseability. Standardised answers may affect validity of the data.
E- If sensitive nature some respondents may feel emotional harm so may lie to give socially desireable answers. Impact validity.
T- Standardised answers may cause respondents to select the ‘closest’ answer which may not be fully relevant. Can’t explain meanings so not liked by Interpretivists.

Question 3

Strengths of content analysis?

Answer 3

P- Cheap so can be carried out again to replicate data. High reliability.
E- No participants so guidelines are easy to follow and easily replicated
T- Quantitative data is reliable and can be cross-checked. Liked by positivists.

Question 4

Weaknesses of content analysis?

Answer 4

P- time consuming eg watching films to count symbols
E- Subjective approach and text may be analysed out of context. Not all groups may therefore be presented fairly.
T- Not liked by Interpretavists as statistics provide little information. Decreases validity.

Question 5

Strengths of structured interviews?

Answer 5

P- Closed and standardised questions means that data is objective and numerical and therefore increases reliability.
E- Interviewer can explain the aims and objectives of the research which builds a rapport and may make the participant feel more comfortable. Encourages informed consent.
T- Positivists would like due to strengths in reliability.

Question 6

Weaknesses of structured interviews?

Answer 6

P- time consuming so can be difficult to access a large sample
E- If the questions are sensitive socially desireable answers may be given. Due to lack of conversation flow , may not state this or feel that they have the right to withdraw. Affect validity.
T- Interpretivists wouldn’t like this method if used for researching sensitive topics.

Question 7

Strengths of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 7

P- Flexible so themes can be explored. In-depth.
E- Chance for a rapport to be built up. More empathy and understanding so better safeguarding.
T- Interpreatvists would like the unstructured elements and can produce more qualitative data.

Question 8

Weaknesses of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 8

P- Can be time consuming so only a small sample size.
E- Interviewer effect may decrease the validity, may feel that they have to provide socially desirable answers.
T- Positivists would not like the flexibility of this method as rapport allows researcher to become biased and lose objectivity.

Question 9

Strengths of unstructured interviews?

Answer 9

P- Interviews are pre-arranged so good response rate. Flexibility so allow exploration of other issues.
E- Rapport limits feelings of emotional harm.

Question 10

Weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

Answer 10

P- Time consuming, so small sample

E- Interviewer effect decreasing validity

Question 11

Strengths of focus groups?

Answer 11

P- Questions tailored to a specific group creating a relaxed environment. Pre-arranged increases reliability.
E-Rapport can be built up

Question 12

Weaknesses of focus groups?

Answer 12

P- Data recording and analysis can be difficult due to varying accounts and opinions which will lower the reliability
E- Respondents may feel uncomfortable, emotional harm so would input differently decreasing validity
T- If a rapport builds then an interviewer may become biased which can decrease reliability and therefore is not liked by Positivists

Question 13

Strengths of non participant observation - overt?

Answer 13

P- Not involved so easy and cost effective, reduces risk of becoming ‘too involved’ and unbiased
E- Consent, know that they are being researched

Question 14

Weaknesses of non participant observation - overt?

Answer 14

P- Researcher is more distant from the group and so may not get a full picture.
E- Empathy and understanding may be reduced. Researcher effect.

Question 15

Strengths of non participant observation - covert?

Answer 15

P- not involved so easy, less likely to become too involved

E- unlikley to influence group, no researcher effect. Less risk of harm if not fully involved in the group.

Question 16

Weakness of non participant observation - covert?

Answer 16

P- more distant so not a full picture. Superficial insight

E- no informed consent

Question 17

Strengths of participant observation - overt?

Answer 17

P- Can get in-depth data

E- Fully immersed/verstehen. Informed consent

Question 18

Weaknesses of participant observation - covert?

Answer 18

HAwthorne effect
E- Researcher has the potential of being exposed to harm. Could become too involved and biased which would affect validity.

Question 19

Strengths of participant observations - covert?

Answer 19

P- As involved in the group could probe respondents

E- Fully immersed so gain verstehn. True insight and rapport.

Question 20

Weakness of participant observations - covert?

Answer 20

P- Difficult to take accurate field notes which could reduce validity, especially if recorded from memory.
E- No informed consent. Unethical. Higher possibility of ‘going native’.

Question 21

Strengths of ethnographies?

Answer 21

P- Achieves verstehen. Can empathise.

E- Informed consent

Question 22

Weaknesses of ethnographies?

Answer 22

P- Huge investment from the researcher as some studies can go on for years, and the researcher needs to be involved for all that time. Small sample which reduce generalisability.
E- Can be harmful to the researcher as immersed in the group eg gang culture. If they become too involved they may be biased. If the group is deemed as vulnerable eg children there may be safeguarding issues.

Question 23

Strengths of official statistics?

Answer 23

P- Not time consuming, large and representative sample eg ONS. Easily accessible.
E- High in reliability as scientific and replicable.

Question 24

Weaknesses of official statistics?

Answer 24

P- May not represent the whole picture of what is being researched eg specific enough. No in-depth data can be gained meaning true insight isnt gained either.
E- Open to political abuse, which can be manipulated to look better. Eg to give a good impression of government economic policies. This could lead to harm some groups by being represented badly.

Question 25

Strengths of longitudinal studies?

Answer 25

P- gains an insight into a group over a period of time so can see changes and more in-depth data is gained.
E- Regular contact with the sample can create trust and builds rapport so the group may feel more confident, so less risk of emotional harm.

Question 26

Weaknesses of longitudinal studies?

Answer 26

P- High drop-out rate as people get bored, move house, change friendship groups. This reduces sample size and therefore generaliseability.
E- Sample accessed on multiple occasions, informed consent and protection from harm may change.

Question 27

Strengths of methodological pluralism/mixed methods?

Answer 27

P- Several angles and methods so a sociologist can build up a rich pictureas to why social behaviours occur.
E- Participants will be reflected more accurately, reduces the risk of emotional harm caused by misrepresentation.

Question 28

Strengths of triangulation?

Answer 28

(cross checking with one or more quantitative and one or more qualitative)
P- Eliminates biases as a range of methods are used to cross check findings so increases validity.
T- supported by both positivists and interpretivists.

Question 29

Strengths of reflexivity?

Answer 29

(Used by Interpretavists to keep track of the strengths and weaknesses of their research used to evaluate their work)
P- Researcher thinks critically in order to improve their methods. Insures that groups are examined effectively with a true picture.
P- As they are reviewing their data they look out for issues surrounding the interviewer effect.
T- Generally used by Interpretavists.

Question 30

Strengths of respondent validation?

Answer 30

(When the researcher’s interpretation of an event or situation is checked with those who took part in the event. Feedback is taken to check accuracy of the data)
P- Gain feedback to check how their behaviour was interpreted. This can improve the validity as it ensures a group is presented accurately.
P- Can help to ensure that the researcher is not applying their bias.
T- Liked by Interpretavists as gains vertehen.

Question 31

Strengths of random and systematic sampling?

Answer 31

Everyone has the same chance of being selected
Not biased
Preffered by Positivists because of its scientific nature.

Question 32

Weaknesses of random and systematic sampling?

Answer 32

Time consuming
The sampling frame won’t always provide useful information
Can lack representativeness if a greater number of one type of person is picked.

Question 33

Strengths of stratified sampling?

Answer 33

Can ensure that each group is represented.
Not biased
Preferred by Positivists because of its scientific nature

Question 34

Weaknesses of stratified sampling?

Answer 34

More time consuming
Sampling frame may not give specific groups to include.
If some groups have a large number of people then they are more likely to be chosen.

Question 35

Strengths of quota sampling?

Answer 35

Useful when there is no sampling frame
More representative than other non-random samples - target a range of groups
Easy to set targets

Question 36

Weaknesses of quota sampling?

Answer 36

Researcher may be biased towards a certain group which lowers representativeness.
No sampling frame so less scientific and more difficult to repeat - lowers reliability
Numbers needed may not be representative of target population.

Question 37

Strengths of snowball sampling?

Answer 37

USeful when there is no sampling frame
Good to use in studies where the group is difficult to access or a specific type of person
Easy if one person acts as a gatekeeper and can build up a rapport.

Question 38

Weaknesses of snowball sampling?

Answer 38

Not representative - no sampling frame
Less scientific as no sampling frame
Sample will be made up of the same type of people
Biased/subjective - insider researchers

Question 39

Strengths of purposive sampling?

Answer 39

Useful when there is no sampling frame
Good when there is a specific type of person needed
Easy/Quick so can get a large sample

Question 40

Weaknesses of purposive sampling?

Answer 40

Not representative - no sampling frame
Sample will be made up of the same type of people
Biased/subjective - chosen by researcher

Question 41

Strengths of volunteer sampling?

Answer 41

Useful when there is no sampling frame
Good when there is a specific type of person needed - representative
Easy/Quick so can get a large sample

Question 42

Weaknesses of volunteer sampling?

Answer 42

Not representative - no sampling frame
Sample will be made up of the same type of people
Biased/Subjective - chosen by researcher.