Research Methods Flashcards
What are all the different types of research methods?
Experiments, questionnaires,observations, official statistics and documents.
What research methods are primary sources of data?
Experiments and observations, interviews, questionannaires.
What research methods are secondary sources of data?
Official statistics, documents.
What is the positivists view in terms of research methods?
measurable, objective social reality that exists, like the physical world. Our behaviour is a result of social forces shaping what we do. Aim of their research is to discover the underlying causes of our behaviour. Reliable and representative data.
What type of data is obtained by positivists?
Reliable and representative quantitative data.
What is the interpretivists view in terms of research methods?
no objective social reality, just subjective meanings that social actors give to events. Research uncovers actors meanings or worldview.
What type of data is produced by interpretivists?
Valid, qualitative data.
How would a research method be reliable?
For a method to be reliable it must be replicable. Uses standardised forms of measurement.
What type of sociologists prefer reliable data?
Positivists. This is because they prefer a scientific approach that can be repeated.
How can we make data representative?
Through studying a small sample of a group you are studying. The characteristics of this small sample need to reflect those of the wider group. The sociologist will then make generalisations on the basis of the evidence from the sample.
What type of sociologists prefer data to be representatives?
Positivists emphasis representativeness as they wish to discover general patterns about social behaviour.
What is validity?
Refers to how authentic and true the data is
What sociologists prefer valid data?
Interpretivists, prefer unstructured so that they can develop true answers
What’s the difference between validity and reliability?
Validity is a true account of people’s meanings whilst realibility involves measuring a standardised way that can be repeated. Methods that are strong on validity are usually weak on reliability and vice versa.
What are all of the different types of sampling?
Random sampling, stratified,quota,snowballing,opportunity and qasis random/systematic.
What is random sampling?
Where each person has an equal chance of being selected. For example a random generator.
What is stratified sampling?
When the sampling frame is divided into subcategories that the researcher is interested in such as gender age and class. And then a certain number of people are randomly selected from each of these subcategories.
What is quota sampling?
Like stratified sampling but the researcher is given a quota that they need to reach. The researcher may need to find 30 women between ages of 25 and 35 to answer a question and the first 30 women will fill the quota.
What is snowballing sampling?
Used when it is difficult or impossible to obtain a sample of people to research on. It is used when the research is highly sensitive or deals with secretive or deviant groups as individuals may not want or be identified.
What is opportunity sampling?
When the researcher themselves approach who is available and willing to participate.
What is quasi random or systematic sampling?
When people are selected by choosing every Nth name from the sampling frame.
Adavantages and disadvantages of random sampling?
It is unbiased because everyone has an equal chance of being selected. May not be representative because certain subgroups aren’t chosen.
Advantages and disadvantages of stratified sampling?
Reduces sampling error as it assumes that all the subgroups of the population are proportionally represented. A weakness is that it is time-consuming to set up.
Advantages and limitations of quota sampling?
It is less time consuming and less expensive. It can lead to a biased sample as the chosen sample may not be representative of the whole population.
Advantages and disadvantages of snowballing sampling?
A strength is that it provides a valuable insight into social groups. A disadvantages is that it relies on a very small network of people who have come through recommendations so data is difficult to evaluate.
Advantages and disadvantages of random sampling?
Quick and practical and it is the easiest and most practical way of finding a sample of participants. It is prone to bias and choosing who is available to take part means that the sample will be unrepresentative of the target population.
Advantages and disadvantages of quasi random or systematic?
It is more evenly spread. Can lead to bias sample as it’s not totally random
What are the 5 main groups and settings in education?
Pupils, teachers, parents, classrooms and schools.
What did Hill in 2005 say are the 3 major differences between studying adults and young people?
Power and status, ability and understanding, vulnerability. These can all be linked to methods in context when a study studies children
Who are the type of people who refuse access to schools from sociologists?
Gatekeepers like headteachers or governors.
What are the characteristics of a lab experiment?
Tightly controlled, artificial environments. Used to see is one variable has an impact on another. Experimental group which is manipulated and a control group that is measured.
What is the reliability like for lab experiments?
Experiments can be replicated exactly again and they should produce the same results every time. Favoured by positivist sociologists. However lack validity.
What are some example of laboratory experiments?
Stanford prison experiment, bandura bobo doll, Milgrams obedience.
Practical issues of lab experiments?
Small samples - can’t generalise. Hawthorne effect from the artificial environment. Possibly the expectancy effect - when what a researcher expects to happen influences the actual outcome.
Ethical issues of laboratory experiments?
Informed consent - need to give informed consent. However, this can be self defeating due to demand characteristics. Harm to subjects - treatment should be made available.
Theoretical issues of lab experiments?
Positivists favour due to reliability. Interpretivists would say lack validity. Cannot be sure these experiments are reflective of wider population - external validity. This is due to Small sample sizes and the high level of control.
How can lab experiments be used in education - methods on context
Teacher expectations, classroom interaction, labelling, pupils self concepts, self-fulfilling prophecy
