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Sociology > research methods > Flashcards

research methods Flashcards

1
Q

Positivism…

A

An approach to the study of society that focuses on scientific evidence, such as statistics, to reveal how society operates

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2
Q

Reliability…

A

Positivists argue that if the research process used to test a hypothesis is reliable then another sociologist should be able to repeat the experiment and get the same results

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3
Q

Objectivity…

A

A sociologist should not allow any personal/political values or prejudices to bias any aspect of their research.

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4
Q

Representativeness…

A

Positivists aim to select a sample that has characteristics which are typical of the larger population being studied.

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5
Q

Generalisations…

A

The sociologist is able state that what is true of the sample is probably true for the wider population the sample comes from.

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6
Q

Quantitative data…

A

Data expressed in numerical form and presented in graphs, tables etc. Means that patterns and trends can be easily established

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7
Q

Validity…

A

Whether the research findings give a true picture of what is being studied. Positivists think this easily achieved in their research as if research is well designed then it should present a valid picture of what’s being researched.

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8
Q

Interpretivism…

A

Focuses on the meanings and interpretations individuals and groups develop to understand the social world and that society is socially constructed

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9
Q

Verstehen…

A

When wanting to understand social actions, first you have to understand them in the way that participants do and develop empathetic understanding. Sociologists need to uncover the shared interactions and interpretations that make up society.

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10
Q

Researcher imposition…

A

Interpretivists state that positivists only focus on what the sociologist thinks is important and may neglect what the research subject actually thinks.

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11
Q

Ethnographic…

A

Interpretivist research involves trying to understand social behaviour by inserting the sociologist into the everyday world of the group being studied.

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12
Q

Rapport…

A

A sociologist should build up a trusting relationship with the group being studied so that a true picture of their lives is constructed.

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13
Q

Qualitative data…

A

Data that presents its findings in words rather than numbers. Is favoured by interpretivists as can gage meanings

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14
Q

Reflexivity…

A

A form of self-evaluation researchers do to critically reflect on how they organised the research process, their everyday experience of it and how a range of influences may have positively or negatively affected the validity of their findings.

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15
Q

Subjectivity…

A

How someone’s judgement is shaped by personal opinions, bias and prejudices

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16
Q

Factors influencing the choice of research topic…

A
  • Social problems - aspects of social life that cause misery/anxiety (e.g. crime, abuse) and studies into these are usually sponsored by the government to help target policies at solving or reducing them.
  • Sociological problems - sociologists interested in how societies and social institutions work to explain why groups behave in patterned/predictable ways.
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17
Q

Aims and objectives…

A

What is the main research question going to be and how will this be incorporated into the research design.

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18
Q

Hypothesis…

A

An informed guess or assumption that the researcher thinks might be true about the research topic.

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19
Q

Primary data…

A

Data produced that the researcher has done themself

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20
Q

Secondary data…

A

Data that has already been collected by others

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21
Q

Operationalisation…

A

Breaking down the hypothesis or research aims into concrete things that can be measured or observed

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22
Q

Pilot study…

A

Small scale study carried out before the main study in order to detect bias or other issues associated with the research process

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23
Q

Respondent validation…

A

A researchers interpretation of an event is checked by those who took part in the event in order to help prevent bias

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24
Q

Longitudinal study…

A

A study carried out over a long period of time so provide clear observations of changes over time

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25
Q

Random sampling…

A

A method of sampling that means every member of the research population has an equal chance of being included e.g. by drawing names out of a hat

26
Q

Systematic random sampling…

A

Randomly choosing a number (e.g. 7) then picking out every tenth number from that number (e.g. 7, 17, 27 etc). The larger the sample, the more likely this method will bring a representative sample

27
Q

Stratified random sampling…

A

Involves dividing the research population into a number of different sampling frames then using systematic random sampling to select the group that will comprise the research sample.

28
Q

Non-random sampling…

A

Target specific groups rather than randomly selecting a sample from the general population

29
Q

Quota sampling…

A

Like stratified random sampling except the researcher decides how many people should be included in each category and will look for participants until the quota is fulfilled.

30
Q

Purposive sampling…

A

The researcher chooses individuals that fit the nature of the research. They choose a particular group or place to study as its known to be the type that’s wanted.

31
Q

Opportunity sampling…

A

Making the most of situations where the research population is likely to be found to build sample

32
Q

Snowball sampling…

A

Finding and interviewing a person who fits the research needs then asking them to suggest someone who may be willing to participate. Is used when studying hard to reach groups.

33
Q

Volunteer sampling…

A

A study may be advertised and people can volunteer to be a part of the study. May not produce a representative sample as the people who volunteer may not be typical of the rest of the population.

34
Q

Questionnaires…

A

A list of questions that are handed or posted to respondent for self-completion. Preferred by positivists.

  • Closed questionnaires - tick box questions that produce quantitative data
  • Open questionnaires - allow for elaboration on answers to produce qualitative data
35
Q

Strengths of questionnaires…

A
  • Used for reaching larger and more representative samples as they can be posted to hundreds of people.
  • Less time consuming and cheap
  • Positivists argue they are high in reliability if designed properly so another researcher could get the same results and they produce lots of statistical data that can be easily quantified
36
Q

Weaknesses of questionnaires…

A
  • Can have low response rates as people are likely to ignore them or are not bothered to post them back
  • Interpretivists argue that they are low in validity as real life is too complex to be categorised into closed questions and respondents may interpret a question in a different way than intended.
  • There is the risk of imposition problem whereby questionnaires measure what the researcher thinks is important rather than what the respondent experiences.
37
Q

Structured interviews…

A

The researcher reads out a list of closed questions and ticking/writing answers on behalf of the respondent. There is little flexibility as can’t deviate from questions on the interview schedule. Collects quantitative data making it preferred by positivists.

38
Q

Strengths of structured interviews…

A
  • Positivists like as the method is scientific
  • Can be conducted quickly, means there is more time to collect a larger / more representative sample from which generalisations can be made
39
Q

Weaknesses of structured interviews…

A
  • People may be likely to give false answers as they regard the artificial nature of the interview as suspicious - creates interview bias
  • Interpretivists argue that because of the closed questions, imposition problem is likely to happen as the researcher has already mapped out the experiences, interpretations etc of the respondent.
40
Q

Official statistics…

A

Numerical data collected by the government which is usually gathered through surveys e.g. Census. Are preferred by positivists

41
Q

Strengths of official statistics…

A
  • Easily accessed and provide up to date data
  • Trends in data over time can be seen
  • Positivists see them as ‘hard facts’ as they’ve been collected in a systematic and scientific manner
42
Q

Weaknesses of official statistics…

A
  • Are open to political abuse meaning they can be manipulated by governments for political advantage
  • Statistics are socially constructed as there may be biased decisions that a particular group needs to be studied
43
Q

Content analysis…

A

Using media extracts to analyse the values, priorities or concerns of a society at any point of time

44
Q

Strengths of content analysis…

A
  • Is a comparative method that allows for media to be compared over time
  • Quantitative content analysis is reliable as other sociologists can repeat/cross-check findings by looking at the same media
45
Q

Weaknesses of content analysis…

A
  • Time consuming as media products need to be compared over time
  • Subjective as analysis depends on what the researcher thinks is important
46
Q

Ethnography…

A

The researcher inserts themself into the natural setting of the social group being studied and participating in / observing their daily activities to get an accurate view of their behaviour. Preferred by interpretivists

47
Q

Unstructured interviews…

A

A guided conversation with the interviewer having a flexible interview schedule to make sure all topics are covered in a way that allows the respondent to give in depth descriptions of their answers. Preferred by interpretivists

48
Q

Strengths of unstructured interviews…

A
  • Can build up rapport with the respondent which can mean more topics can be open to discussion in the interview producing more valid data
  • Are useful when researching sensitive groups as the interviewer can explain the purpose of the research and emphasise confidentiality so the respondent is more likely to open up
49
Q

Weaknesses of unstructured interviews…

A
  • Gather too much data that takes a long time to go through and a researcher may chose to only publish findings that support their hypothesis creating bias.
  • Positivists argue they produce less representative findings as they use fewer participants than in surveys, this makes it difficult for generalisations to be made
50
Q

Group interviews…

A

Unstructured interviews carried out in groups rather than with individuals. Can be used to investigate the dynamics in how groups operate which can make a more valid picture.

51
Q

Focus group interviews…

A

Participants are encouraged to talk to each other about an issue, with the researcher depending on the dynamic of the group to keep the conversation going.

52
Q

Semi-structured interviews…

A

A mix of structured and unstructured elements. Use closed questions to generate facts and open questions for flexibility/clarification. However every interview is different as some participants may need more probing than others.

53
Q

Non-participant observation…

A

The researcher observes by playing no active role in the activity being observed

54
Q

Strengths of non-participant observation…

A
  • The researcher is detached and objective meaning there is less chance of there being bias in the interpretation of results and groups shouldn’t be influenced by the observer.
55
Q

Weaknesses of non-participant observation…

A
  • The observer is likely to be observing artificial behaviour as people know they are being watched
  • Little insight into the reasons why people behave the way they do
  • Objectivity can be difficult to achieve as judgements have to be made on whether the behaviour matches the categories in observation schedule
56
Q

Participant observation…

A

The researcher immerses themself in the lifestyle of the group they wish to study. They join in with activities and share their experiences of social reality to understand why that group behaves the way they do

57
Q

Overt…

A

The researcher joins in with activities but some or all of the group knows they are being observed

58
Q

Covert…

A

The researcher inserts themself into a group and conceals the fact that they are doing research

59
Q

Strengths of participant observation…

A
  • Researcher is placed in the same situation as the group so experiences verstehen and produces results with high validity
  • Interpretivists argue that observation allows what the group believes to come first, not what the researcher thinks is important. Also rapport is built so answers are more likely to be honest especially if they don’t know they’re being researched
  • Takes place over long periods of time so can observe how attitudes have changed over time and may be the only method available to study hard to reach groups.
60
Q

Weaknesses of participant observation…

A
  • Researcher effect where the group acts less naturally as they’re aware that they’re being observed
  • Some researchers may become attached to a group which causes bias to become present as they lose objectivity.
  • Covert observation may pose threat to the researcher especially if researching groups like gangs
61
Q

Triangulation…

A

Combining of research methods to check or verify the validity of research findings

62
Q

Methodological pluralism…

A

Combining of different research methods to build up a fuller picture of what is being studied

Sociology (9 decks)

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