Research Methods

Question 1

Factors impacting method chosen

Answer 1

PET
- practical
- ethical
- theoretical

Question 2

Practical issues

Answer 2

Time
Cost
Ease
Researchers skills
Flexibility
Access
Researchers presence
Funding
Subject matter
Opportunity

Question 3

Ethical issues

Answer 3

Confidentiality
Informed consent
Protection from harm
Deception
Privacy
Legalities

Question 4

Theoretical issues

Answer 4

Representativeness
Reliability
Validity
Generalisability
Date type
Objectivity

Question 5

Examples of questionnaires

Answer 5

Census
Alice Sullivan -> Questions for 465 pupils to test cultural capital

Question 6

Example of unstructured interview

Answer 6

Dobash and Dobash -> interview on domestic violence

Question 7

Example of structured interviews

Answer 7

CSEW -> interviews on unreported crime in England and wales

Question 8

Prior research

Answer 8

Secondary
Research already carried out with a similar topic
+ cheap, time, access
- may not be 100% same

Question 9

Content analysis

Answer 9

Secondary, quantative
*quantitive approach analysing mass media involving a system of classification
+ cheap, access, reliable
- interpretation, time

Question 10

Random sampling

Answer 10

People randomly pick out of research population
+ quick, easy, simple
- can be unrepresentative

Question 11

Stratified sampling

Answer 11

When sample reflects the research population
If the research population is 33% women, then the sample will be 33% women
+ representative
- complicated, time consuming

Question 12

Snowball sampling

Answer 12

Find a few participants fitting sample, get them to find more participants
+ access to difficult groups
- may be unrepresentative, time consuming, complicated

Question 13

Systematic sampling

Answer 13

Using Nth person from the potential research population to get the sample
N = number in research population/ number needed in sample
+ simple, easy
- unrepresentative

Question 14

Quota sampling

Answer 14

Researchers told to have a sample with a certain quota
Eg. 90 people but 30 must be unemployed
+ representative
- hard to find

Question 15

Opportunity sampling

Answer 15

Taking people who are available at the time
+ quick, easy
- unrepresentative

Question 16

Factors effecting reliability

Answer 16

*research method

*data type
Quantifiable more repeatable

*paticipants
Never be 100% the same

Question 17

Validity

Answer 17

*Hawthorne effect: change of behaviour when being watched

*Group dynamics: peer pressure

*social desirability: changing to seem normal

*demand characteristics: changing to act how they think will benefit the researcher

*data type: qualitative data up to interpretation so less valid

Question 18

Representative

Answer 18

*sample size: less generalisable if small sample so less representative

*research methods: some require smaller samples like interviews so less representative

Question 19

Interpretivism

Answer 19

Society based on conscious beings in a social construct; how they act is subjective

Prefer qualitative data and methods

Question 20

Positivism

Answer 20

Believe social factors can be applied objectively using scientific techniques
Quantitative approach
MACRO

Question 21

Primary data

Answer 21

Generated by researcher for purpose of their study

+ can be tailored to research, more validity, more control
- time consuming, expensive, harder to

Question 22

Secondary data

Answer 22

Data that already exists from another study
+ cheap, quick, accessible, larger sample
- may not match study exactly, less control, bias of other researcher, out of date

Question 23

Quantitative methods

Answer 23

Numbers, stats, measurable
+ easy to analyse/ compare/ spot trends, quicker, more access if published
- no reasons, lack of detail (less valid), possible gate-keepers -> harder to access

Question 24

Qualitative methods

Answer 24

Opinions
+ more info, deep answers, variety of answers
- time consuming, hard to compare, subjective

Question 25

Unstructured interview

Answer 25

Primary, qualitative
Conversation based on questions answered in conversation
+ rapport, flexible, clear, detailed, reliable
- time, cost, training, peer pressure, representative

Question 26

Structured interview

Answer 26

Primary, qualitative
Conversation when questions are decided in advance

+ consent, reliable
- lack detail, smaller sample, peer pressure, interpretation, representative

Question 27

Group interview

Answer 27

Primary, qualitative/ quantitative
Interviews involving more than one person

+ representative, flexible, valid
- time, cost, access, funding, peer pressire

Question 28

Example of covert participant observation

Answer 28

Pearsons football hooliganism:

Looked at supporters of Blackpool fc
Started a fight in fc and continued hooliganism
He become part of the group he studied

Question 29

Example of overt participant observation

Answer 29

Mac and Ghail
Joined subculture of young black group to understand racism in education

Question 30

Example of field experiment

Answer 30

Rosenthal and Jacobson

Longitudinal study in school on impact of labelling and SFP

Question 31

Example of lab experiment

Answer 31

Bandura & Bobo dolls, SLT
Observed kids imitation of role models before and after praise/ punishment