Research methods

Question 1

Validity

Answer 1

Refers to the extent to which research methods show a true and honest insight into the social reality

Question 2

Reliability

Answer 2

Refers to the extent to which a piece of research is scientific and therefore replicable

Question 3

Representativeness

Answer 3

Refers to the extent to which the sample selected a fair reflection of the target population - Does it reflect the characteristics of the group

Question 4

Generalisability

Answer 4

Refers to the ability to make claims about the wider target population from research findings - Is it generalisable of ALL people who hold the characteristic of the group being researched

Question 5

Qualitative

Answer 5

Methods like - participant observation which gives results about individuals live, this produces in depth data - the data consists of textual information and is generally high in - Validity - gives us a true insight into the lives

Question 6

Quantitative

Answer 6

methods like - surveys and structured interviews that give results which can easily be put into a table, this gives large scale data - the data is generally high in Reliability - easy to replicate and will form the same results

Question 7

Practicalities of Sociological research

Answer 7

- Time - if a method of data is time 
             consuming 
- Cost - if the research requires 
            paying other researchers to 
            assist with the research, if 
             travel is involved or if 
            research is carried out on a 
           large cohort over a large 
            space of time 
- Access - if the target population 
                are difficult to access this 
               may cause problems with 
               the sample

Question 8

Ethical guidelines

Answer 8

• Confidentiality
• Privacy
• Anonymity
• Right to withdraw
• Protecting the vulnerable groups
• Informed consent
• Ensuring legality
• Safeguarding

Question 9

Positivists

Answer 9

• Reliability
• Objectivity value freedom
• Representative
• Quantitative

Question 10

Interpretivists

Answer 10

• Verstehen
• Validity
• Ethnographic
• Qualitative
• Reflexivity

Question 11

Realists

Answer 11

• Realistic picture of whats taking place in society
• research methods should fit the purpose of the topic you are studying
• methodological pluralism or triangulation are preferable - combo of Quantitative and Qualitative - can be cross checked easily
• mixed methods

Question 12

Feminists

Answer 12

• gain access to the views including women
• normally qualitative
• often use in depth interviews
• should be researched by women
• seeks to bring change and equality for women