Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Socio > Research Methods > Flashcards

Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Define Questionnaire

A

A document with pre-set questions that can be sent to anyone anywhere and that respondents complete on their own.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Types of questionnaire

A

Online
Mailed/postal
In person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Style of questions in a questionnaire

A

Closed questions
Open questions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Practical advantages of using questionnaires for sociological research

A

Quick and easy for gathering lots of data from lots of ppl.
Relatively low cost.
Easy to collate and analyse data.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Practical disadvantages of using questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Low response rate.
Incentives may raise costs.
Inflexibility–Once questions are sent out, they can’t be changed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Ethical advantages of using questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Ethically sound

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Theoretical advantages of using questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Highly reliable, standardised procedure.
Researchers can remain objective.
Allowing anonymity may increase the validity of findings for sensitive topics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Theoretical disadvantages of using questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Lacks verstehen.
Validity can be questioned–leading questions are a risk, questionnaires are a snapshot of a moment in time–data may become invalid soon after being collected.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Advantages of using in person questionnaires for sociological research

A

Researchers can clarify instructions to improve validity.
Can get through to younger ppl better.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Disadvantages of using in person questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Social desirability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Advantages of using online questionnaires for sociological research

A

Easier to advertise to younger ppl

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Disadvantages of using online questionnaires for sociological research

A

Respondents might misunderstand questions.
Easily ignored.
Excludes older ppl.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Advantages of using postal questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Easier to access older ppl

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Disadvantages of using questionnaires for sociological research.

A

Questions can be misunderstood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Structured Interviews

A

A set of pre-set questions usually closed asked by an interviewer who records the answers.
Often conducted to overcome the low response rate of questionnaire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Example of structured intervew

A

CSEW
Used to measure the amount of different crimes across the countries.
Helps provide more support for areas with higher crime rates.
Gathers knowledge on public perception of crimes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Advantages of structured intervew

A

Easy access to respondents
Ethically sound
Highly reliable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Disadvantages of structured interview

A

More costly than Questionnaire
Lack of anonymity
Lack of verstehen
Low validity
Interviewers must be trained to avoid interviewer bias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Why are structured interviews lacking in validity

A

Risk of interviewer bias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Define longitudinal study

A

Research that is carried out over a long period of time with the same group of respondents being contacted several times over a number of years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Example of Longitudinal study

A

7UP! By Michael Apted
Started in 1964 with 20x 7 yr olds
Visits them every 7yrs
63UP! in 2019

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Advantages of Longitudinal study

A

Can access participants easily.
Uses consenting participants-no deception.
Researchers can analyse long term effects of sociological factors.
Triangulation provides both high validity and verstehen e.g statistical data can be understood at a deeper level and sustain validity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Disadvantages of Longitudinal study

A

Time consuming.
Long term funding.
It can be difficult to stay in touch with participants.
Costly to incentivise participation
Consent is questionable for young ppl
Participants may feel Intrusion
Lacks validity
Social desirability
Lacks vestehen

24
Q

Why do Longitudinal studies lack validity and verstehen??

A

They are snapshots of a moment in time where the data Is recorded at large intervals. The data could become invalid soon after being recorded

25
What are the two types of experiments??
Laboratory Field
26
Lab experiment
Artificial and highly controlled. Variables are manipulated. Aims to uncover a cause and effect relationship. Preferred by Positivists.
27
Field experiments
Variables are manipulated. Cause and effect relationship uncovered. Natural setting.
28
Independent Variable
Manipulated by the researcher
29
Dependent Variable
The variable measured
30
Extraneous variables
Undesirable variables that may affect the dependent variable
31
Advantages of lab experiments
Easy to access participants. Can avoid extraneous variables affecting validity. Consent can be gained. Debrief takes place after research. Deception can be ethically justified. Highly reliable A cause and effect relationship can be identified.
32
Disadvantages of lab experiments
Can be costly. Social issues like religiousity can't be studied in a lab. Extraneous variables can't be completely eliminated. Lacks informed consent so that participants act as naturally as possible. Can cause distress during and after–depending on the research topic and nature of the experiment. Too small-scale to be representative. Data lacks validity –artificial environment.
33
Hawthorne Effect
When participants are aware of the nature of the experiment and react to a change in environment rather than the I.V.
34
Advantages of field experiments
Easy access to participants. Relatively low cost. Could be ethically justified. Highly reliable. High ecological validity. Cause and effect relationship can be identified.
35
Disadvantages of field experiments
Extraneous variables are highly likely due to natural setting. Time consuming to plan and organise. Participants are often involved without consent. Could cause distress (during and after) to both researchers and participants. Often too small-scale to be representative enough to make generalisations.
36
Define total population
All the people the researcher is interested in.
37
Define sample
A small group of people that reflect the characteristics of the total population.
38
Describe a Random Sample
Each member of the target population has an equal chance of being chosen from a sampling frame.
39
Define Sampling Frame
A list of names of everyone in the target population.
40
Describe a 'Pure Random' Sample
Randomly selecting a subset of participants from a population.
41
Describe a 'Systamic Random' Sample
Selecting every nth member of a numbered population.
42
Describe a Stratified Random Sample
The target population is divided into smaller groups based on different variables relevant to the study, then people are randomly selected from each group.
43
Describe a Non-Random Sample
Researchers subjectively choose the sample. There is not an equal chance of being selected. A sampling frame is not required.
44
Quota Sample
Selects participants based on specific characteristics, ensuring they are representative of every sub-group. Similar to stratified but without the randomisation.
45
Snowball Sample
Recruiting future participants from acquaintances. They introduce others to the study. People with categories are difficult to identify.
46
volunteer sample
Participants put themselves forward
47
Opportunity sample
Using participants that are willing and ready at the time
48
Purposive Sample
intentionally selecting participants based on their characteristics, experiences, or other criteria. Used in combo with non-random procedures. Used by interpretivists to attain verstehen from specific ppl.
49
Define Unstructured Interview
An interview without any pre-planned questions. Instead, the interviewer will have some topics they wish to cover on an interview schedule.
50
Define Interview Schedule
A list of some headings to guide a free-flowing discussion where interesting but unexpected responses can be followed fully.
51
Practical advantage of unstructured interviews
It is flexible for the researcher to explore certain topics further for answers as the interview develops.
52
Ethical advantage of using unstructured interviews
Full informed content, no deception, and confidentiality can be maintained.
53
Theoretical advantage of using unstructured interviews
A rapport can be developed, allowing the interviewee to open up and respond freely, leading to high validity,
54
Practical disadvantages of using unstructured interviews
Can be costly i.e. venue, training, interviews, paying interviewees. Time consuming to train, arrange, conduct and transcribe. Researchers need to be highly skilled in questioning socially
55
Ethical disadvantage of using unstructured interviews
Sensitive topics may cause distress e.g. victims of crime.
56
Theoretical disadvantages of using unstructured interviews
Interviewer bias may affect validity. Social desirability may affect validity. unreliable method. unrepresentative data

Socio (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions