research methods Flashcards
What is an example of quantitative data?
An example of quantities data would include official statistics on how many girls pass 5 or more GCSEs
what is an example of qualitative data?
gives you a feel for what something is like. Example of this would be how it feels to be divorces. this type of data can be collected using methods such as participant observations
What is primary data?
Information collected by sociologists for their own purpose. these can include trying to gain a first hand picture of a group or society to test a hypothesis
What is secondary data?
information that has been created by someone else for their own purposes, but which the sociologist for their own use.
Second hand data
Example of primary data?
Social surveys, Written questionnaires or interviews
example of secondary data?
Official statistics, letter’s, diaries, newspapers
Whats a positivist?
A positivist prefers quantitative data and seeks to discover patterns of behaviour and see sociology as science. functionalists and marxists take a positivist approach they see society as macro/structural
what’s an interpretivist?
Prefer qualitative data because they seem to understand social actors’ meaning and reject the idea that sociology can be scientific. Interactionists favour interpretivist approaches, they take a micro level view of society and so focus on a small scale
What validity?
Another word for validity is truthfulness.
Qualitative methods often give a more valid look in society as you have more in depth look at society
What is reliability?
another word for reliability is repeatability. Quantitive methods often give a more reliable look at society as you have more objective questioning
What is sampling?
A sample is simply as subject of the population being studied, it represents the larger population
What is stratified sampling?
Stratified random sampling are methods of sampling that involves the stratification or decision of a population into smaller sub-groups. e.g 50% of packet red, therefore 50% of sample would be ted
What is quasi-random:systematic sampling?
Quasi-random sampling for example is choosing every 4th name. still half random,but not for every name on the sampling frame has an equal chance of being chosen
What is quota sampling?
This sampling is defined as a non-probability sampling method in which researches create a sampling involving individuals that represent a quota of a population
What is opportunity sampling?
This sampling is where researchers select participants based on their availability. eg standing on the street asking passers by to join the research. it’s a quick and easy way to access a sample
