Research methods Flashcards
What is PRIMARY DATA and SECONDARY DATA
Primary data - Research the sociologist has collected themselves.
Secondary Data - Research the sociologist has not collected themselves, e.g. newspapers, novels.
What does VALIDITY mean
How true are the results
What does RELIABILITY mean
Can the study be repeated
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of QUALITATIVE DATA
Strengths - Rich in detail and description, high in validity
Weaknesses - Time consuming to collect, low in reliability
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of QUANTITATIVE DATA
Strengths - Can be put into statistics and graphs, high in reliability.
Weaknesses - Lack detail, low in validity.
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of QUESTIONNAIRES
Strengths - Quick and cheap, responses can easily be compared.
Weaknesses - People can give false answers which lowers validity, researcher may impose their own views in the wording of the questions.
What is the DIFFERENCE between a STRUCTURED and UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
A structured interview has organised questions whereas an unstructured interview may have a list of topics but no planned questions so it is more like a conversation.
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of a STRUCTURED INTERVIEW
Strengths - can be put into statistics, questions are more likely to be completed in time, high in reliability and validity.
Weaknesses - Time consuming, possibility of interviewer bias, lower response rate.
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of an UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
Strengths - In depth and very detailed meaning higher validity, interviewer can build a rapport with respondent, ask any questions.
Weaknesses - May go off topic, interviewer bias, expensive and time consuming, low in reliability.
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of COVERT PARTICIPATION OBSERVATION
Strengths - First hand research is high in validity, avoids Hawthorne Effect.
Weaknesses - Researcher may still affect the group studied, they may go native and become biased, ethical issues with consent.
STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES of an OVERT PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
Strengths - First hand research is high in validity, trust can be built.
Weaknesses - Relies on the observers skills to notice what is happening, Hawthorne Effect, low in reliability.
EXAMPLES of ETHICS in RESEARCH
CONSENT - The participants have to give permission.
CONFIDENTIALITY - Identities or information about the participants cannot be revealed.
DECEPTION - There is no consent, participants are unaware they are part of the study.
PROTECTION FORM HARM - Participants should not be put at risk of physical or mental harm.
What are RANDOM, SYSTEMATIC, STRATIFIED, QUOTA and SNOWBALL SAMPLES
RANDOM - Sample selected at random.
SYSTEMATIC - Every nth person.
STRATIFIED - Sample is similar in proportion to your target population.
QUOTA - Using the first people who fit their category.
SNOWBALL - Find a gatekeeper who introduces you to others in hard to reach groups.
ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of using MIXED METHODS
Advantages - Gain a broader picture, high reliability and validity, cross checking.
Disadvantages - Costly and time consuming, one method may dominate the other.
