Research methods Flashcards
Define a pilot study.
A small test-run of a study which is carried out before the main study to check for any problems (e.g. equipment)
Define validity.
The accuracy of the findings – how truthful the data is.
Define reliability.
How consistent the findings are. If repeated the study, would there be the same results?
Explain one advantage of Official Statistics (ONS)
Easy to analyse and compare over time as it is quantitative data
Explain one disadvantage of Official Statistics (ONS)
May not give a reason why for the behaviour as just gives trends as only quantitative data so less valid.
Give advantage and disadvantage of secondary data
A: Less time consuming
D: May be forged/biased so can make less valid generalisations
Give one advantage and disadvantage of questionnaires
A: can have a large sample size so more representative
D: questions may be ignored/lost so not representative
Give one advantage and disadvantage of structured interviews
A: can easily compare questions so more reliable
D: may not get full detail so less valid
Give one advantage and disadvantage of unstructured interviews
A: Can build a rapport so more detail and more valid
D: Can’t easily compare questions so less reliable
Give one advantage and disadvantage of group interviews
A: Less time consuming
D: Some participants may dominate interview so less valid
Give one advantage and disadvantage of participant observation
A: Better understanding as can ask questions so less likely for misconceptions
D: Observer effect may make results less valid
Give one advantage and disadvantage of non participant observation
A: Avoids observer effect (depending if covert or overt)
D: May not get a good understanding as less involved - more likely to have misconceptions - less valid
Give one advantage and disadvantage of longitudinal studies
A: Spot trends over long period of time which are more valid
D: Participant may drop out of study so no longer representative
Give one advantage and disadvantage of ethnography
A:Can gain detailed information as over long period of time so more valid and reliable
D: Behaviour may be misinterpreted by researcher so not as valid
Give one advantage and disadvantage of case studies
A: More valid as real life situations - can make generalisations and triangulate data using qualitative and quantitative data
D: Ethical issues to access data - less valid if some data kept hidden
Explain opportunistic sampling
Anyone available
Define quota sampling
Fits criteria
Define random sampling
Equal chance to be chosen
Define snowball sampling
Get more samples from a small group ie mother knowing other mothers
Explain stratified sampling
Mirror larger population ie 10 girls and 10 boys each from school
Explain systematic sampling
Every nth person
Define generalisation
General statements that apply to the wider population
Give 5 ethical issues and how to deal with them
- Fully informed consent.
-> Use a confirmation slip making participant completely aware of what will happen in study - Right to withdraw: along with data.
-> Include in confirmation slip - No psychological/physical/emotional harm to participants or researcher.
-> Carry out safety checks beforehand - Anonymity.
-> Use a number rather than name (pseudonym) - Confidentiality.
-> Store private information in a locked space.
Define triangulation and mixed methods and explain its use.
Sociologist uses more than one method to find out lots of information about a topic e.g. using a questionnaire, interview and observation. Used to gain more data and check validity but may be difficult to compare.
Give two practical issues and how to deal with them
- time. may take longer to analyse data ie if qualitative
-> employ more people to help analyse data - small sample/ may not be able to access sensitive data. less representative
-> used mixed methods.
Define lab experiments
Research in a controlled artificial environment like a laboratory
Define field experiments
Research takes place in real life social world like a school
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of overt observations
A: less ethical issues like fully informed consent as they know they are being observed
D: observer effect leads to a lack of validity
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of covert observations
A: no observer effect to increased validity
D: more ethical issues to be aware of
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of random sampling
A: Less biased and likely to be more representative
D: May not be fully representative ie could choose all males
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of opportunity sampling
A: Easy to gain a sample so less time consuming
D: may not be representative as only choosing who is available. less generalisations can be made
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of stratified sampling
A: More representative. equal numbers of sample. can make generalisations
D: time consuming to pick out a sampling frame
What is grounded theory?
Researcher uses collected data to explain behaviours.
Define representativeness
Accurately represents the wider population
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of snowball sampling
A: cost-effective and less time consuming as don’t need a sampling frame (non probability)
D: sample bias leading to a lack of representativeness
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of quota sampling
A: Less biased and likely to be more representative
D: time consuming
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of systematic sampling
A: Minimises biased samples so may actually be more representative
D: unequal selection may lead to a lack of representativeness if required characteristics aren’t available
Explain an advantage and disadvantage of using mixed methods
The researcher can obtain valid data of peoples experiences through qualitative methods and also make connections between variables through quantitative methods. Can allow for comparisons, patterns and trends to be observed and triangulating data, making better generalisations.
Time consuming. Long to analyse.
Define a cohort study
Longitudinal study
