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gcse sociology > research methods > Flashcards

research methods Flashcards

1
Q

what is overt observation

A

where the researcher makes the participants aware that theyre being observed

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2
Q

overt observation strengths

A

good detailed data, high validity as it doesnt effect/change participants day to day life, ethical as you can get informed consent,

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3
Q

overt observation weaknesses

A

lacks reliability, time consuming, hawthorne effect

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4
Q

whats the hawthorne effect

A

when people behave differently knowing theyre being watched

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5
Q

what is covert observation

A

where the researcher goes undercover and the people being observed are unaware

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6
Q

covert observation strengths

A

no hawthorne effect, good detailed data, high validity as it doesnt effect/change participants day to day life, access to secret/
unconscious behaviour of the group

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7
Q

covert observation weaknesses

A

unreliable, unethical as no informed consent has been gained, breach of privacy, time consuming, difficult

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8
Q

what is participant observation

A

when the researcher plays an active role in the group they are researching, and they become part of the group

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9
Q

participant observation strengths

A

detailed data, high validity as the research goes into the life of the group, builds rapport and trust

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10
Q

participant observation weaknesses

A

lacks reliability, time consuming, hawthorne effect, not much data

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11
Q

what is non-participant observation

A

when the researcher just watches the group without taking an active part in the activities of the group

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12
Q

non-participant observation strengths

A

detailed data, high validity as the research goes into the life of the group, builds rapport and trust

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13
Q

non-participant observation weaknesses

A

lacks reliability, hawthorne effect, time consuming, not much data

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14
Q

what are structured interviews

A

a conversation between two
people where the questions
have be set in advance and are
not deviated from

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15
Q

structured interview strengths

A

the researcher is present to explain

the questions, reliable, high response rate, builds a rapport which can help with sensitive topics

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16
Q

whats a rapport

A

a good relationship between the researcher and participant

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17
Q

structured interview weaknesses

A

time consuming, hawthorne effect, expensive to train interviewers, not anonymous

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18
Q

what are semi-structured interviews

A 
a conversation between two
people where the questions
have be set in advance but the
researcher is able to deviate
from them in response to the
participants answers
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19
Q

semi-structured interview strengths

A

researcher is present to explain

the questions, increased depth of data, verstehen: understand in a deeper way

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20
Q

semi-structured interview weaknesses

A

lacks reliability, hawthorne effect, time consuming, expensive to train interviewers, not anonymous

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21
Q

what are unstructured interviews

A 
a conversation between two
people where the initial question
may be set but all other
questions are based on the
responses from the participant
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22
Q

unstructured interview strengths

A

researcher is present to explain

the questions, increased depth of data, verstehen: understand in a deeper way

23
Q

unstructured interview weaknesses

A

lacks reliability, hawthorne effect, time consuming, expensive to train interviewers, not anonymous

24
Q

what are group interviews

A

where the researcher interviews
several people in one sitting,
these can be structured or
unstructured

25
group interview strengths
researcher is present to explain the questions, good to use when researching children, increased depth of data, verstehen: understand in a deeper way, participants can bounce off each other
26
group interview weaknesses
lacks reliability, hawthorne effect, time consuming, expensive to train interviewers, not anonymous, peer group pressure
27
what are open question questionnaires
an open question questionnaire is a document that is handed to a participant to complete alone, and the questions allow them to explain their responses
28
open question questionnaire strengths
cheap, quick, easy, anonymous, confidential, detailed in depth data, reliable access to large samples
29
open question questionnaire weaknesses
low response rates, participant may misunderstand questions, difficult to analyse, the respondent may not be the intended participant
30
what are closed question questionnaires
a closed question questionnaire is a document that is handed to a participant to complete alone, and the questions provide a selection of responses to choose from or a scale
31
closed question questionnaire strengths
cheap, quick, easy, anonymous, confidential, reliable, access to large samples, easy to analyse
32
closed question questionnaire weaknesses
low response rates, participant may misunderstand question, lacks validity as it lacks depth, the respondent may not be the intended participant
33
what are web based questionnaires
questionnaires that are sent out by the internet, and can be a mixture of open and closed questions
34
web based questionnaire strengths
cheap, quick, easy, anonymous, confidential, reliable, access to large samples, easy to analyse
35
web based questionnaire weaknessed
low response rates as emails may go to junk mail, participants may misunderstand the question
36
what are postal questionnaires
questionnaires that are sent out by the post, which can be open and closed questions
37
postal questionnaire strengths
easy, anonymous, confidential, reliable, access to large samples
38
postal questionnaire weaknesses
low response rates as people may discard the mail, time consuming waiting for delivery etc, participants may misunderstand the questions, expensive due to postage
39
what are official statistics - (secondary data)
quantitative data that comes from governments and their agencies
40
official statistic strengths
reliable, easy access, cheap, up to date data, can be used comparatively, allows researchers to see trends/correlations
41
official statistic weaknesses
not much detail behind the data
42
what are public and historical documents - (secondary data)
documents which are produced by government departments or state agencies as well as companies, charities, and other organisations
43
public and historical document strengths
easy access, cheap, quick, avoids potential bias
44
public and historical document weaknesses
unsure of authenticity, no guarantee of reliability, official documents may be censored
45
what are personal documents - (secondary data)
personal documents consisting of qualitative data that show individuals or group experiences, feelings, attitudes, and motives
46
personal document strengths
high validity as theyre detailed, ethnographic, cheap, easy access
47
personal document weaknesses
unreliable, lack of validity as its only one persons experience
48
what are laboratory experiments
research that takes place in an artificial setting on the variables are manipulated by the researcher
49
laboratory experiment strengths
high reliability, can establish cause and effect, informed consent, easy to analyse data
50
laboratory experiment weaknesses
artificial environment, may be impractical, not all variables can be controlled
51
what are field experiments
research that takes place in a natural setting, but the researcher is manipulating the variables
52
field experiment strengths
reliable, can establish cause and effect
53
field experiment weaknesses
may be impractical, not all variables can be controlled

gcse sociology (2 decks)

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