Research Methods

Question 1

What is a case study?

Answer 1

Researching a single case or example of something using multiple methods, such as researching one school or factor.

Question 2

Define ethnographic study.

Answer 2

An in-depth study of the way of life of a group of people in their natural setting, typically long-term studies aiming for a full, multi-layered account of the culture and every day lives.

Question 3

What is interpretism in social research?

Answer 3

An approach that tries to understand human action through the eyes of those acting, focusing on the meanings actors give to their own actions.

Question 4

What does positivism emphasize in social research?

Answer 4

An approach that aims to be as close to the natural sciences as possible, emphasizing the use of quantitative data.

Question 5

What is quantitative data?

Answer 5

Information that appears in numerical form, or in the form of statistics.

Question 6

Explain reliability in research.

Answer 6

If someone else repeats the same research with the same population, they should achieve the same results.

Question 7

What is data?

Answer 7

Information that appears in written, visual or audio form, such as transcripts of interviews, newspapers, and websites.

Question 8

What does validity refer to in research?

Answer 8

The extent to which a study provides a true picture of what is really ‘out there’ in the world.

Question 9

What is Verstehen?

Answer 9

A method where a researcher aims to understand another person’s experience by putting themselves in the other person’s shoes.

Question 10

What does representative mean?

Answer 10

The research sample reflects the characteristics of the wider target population that is being studied.

Question 11

Define secondary data.

Answer 11

Data that has been collected by previous researchers or organizations, such as the government.

Question 12

What is a research sample?

Answer 12

The actual population selected for the research, also known as the respondents.

Question 13

What is a pilot study?

Answer 13

A test study carried out before the main research study and on a smaller scale, to uncover potential problems.

Question 14

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 14

When respondents alter their behavior because they know they are being observed.

Question 15

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 15

Dividing the sample frame into smaller groups, such as social class or age, and drawing individuals randomly from these groups.

Question 16

Define rapport in research.

Answer 16

A close and harmonious relationship between researcher and respondents, facilitating understanding and communication.

Question 17

What is triangulation in social research?

Answer 17

The use of more than one method in social research to verify the validity of other data sources and improve reliability.

Question 18

Value free

Answer 18

Not imposing the values of a specific culture or researcher onto research so it remains objective and accurate.

Question 19

Random Sampling

Answer 19

Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample

Question 20

Systematic sample

Answer 20

Every nth member of the target population is selected for the sample

Question 21

Stratified sampling

Answer 21

Different sub groups in the target population are identified, then people are randomly selected from these sub groups in their proportion to that numbers in the target population

Question 22

Snowball sampling

Answer 22

One contact will recruit other contacts to get involved in the research

Question 23

Volunteer sampling

Answer 23

When a sample is gathered through participants putting themselves forward to be studied. Respondents are found through advertising, in the paper, Internet etc.

Question 24

Opportunity sampling

Answer 24

Researcher uses a sample of people who are available at the time

Question 25

Purposive sampling

Answer 25

The researcher has a clear idea of the sample they want, they will pick participants that meet the criteria

Question 26

Quota sampling

Answer 26

The researcher has a clear number of people they need to include in their sample based on certain characteristics

Question 27

Longitudinal study

Answer 27

Data collected from the same sample over a long period of time.

Question 28

Self report

Answer 28

Questions that tend to require ticking a box that has been experienced by the participant

Question 29

Official statistics

Answer 29

Numerical data collected by the government, through surveys carried out by state agencies e.g. Office for National Statistics.

Hard: highly reliable, accurate
Soft: open to different interpretations

Question 30

Unofficial statistics

Answer 30

Quantitative data collected by non-government organisations (NGOs). E.g. employers, charities, political parties

Question 31

Interpretivism

Answer 31

Focus’ on trying to gain an insight into the experiences of individuals and groups

Question 32

Rapport

Answer 32

Researchers creating a relationship with the participants, often to help obtain more accurate information

Question 33

Gatekeeper

Answer 33

Someone who gives access to a researcher about a group of people

Question 34

Participant observation

Answer 34

The sociologist immerses themselves in the lifestyle of the group they wish to study

Question 35

Non- participant observation

Answer 35

The researcher sits and observes an activity. They are detached and an unobtrusive onlooker who plays no active role in the activity of being observed

Question 36

Overt observation

Answer 36

The researcher joins in the activities of a group but some or all of the group know the researcher is a sociologist and is actively observing them

Question 37

Covert observation

Answer 37

The researcher inserts themselves into a group and hides the fact that they are doing research. They pretend to be a member of the group

Question 38

Mixed methods

Answer 38

Combine quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis in one study. Provides more in-depth findings

Question 39

Methodological pluralism

Answer 39

Combining the most efficient and relevant research methods

Question 40

Demand characteristics

Answer 40

Participants’ efforts to validate a researcher’s hypothesis. They are cues that might indicate the aim of the study leading to participants changing their behaviour or responses based on what they think the research may be about

Question 41

Content analysis

Answer 41

When researchers attempt to analyse and interpret media or written pieces of work in themes

Question 42

Evaluation of random sampling

Answer 42

S:Unbiased, every member has chance to be chosen, accurate representation
W:Time consuming, may not completely represent target market, expensive as required large sample

Question 43

Content Analysis

Answer 43

Where the researcher attempts to analyse media or a written piece of work in themes