Research Methods Flashcards
What is a case study?
Researching a single case or example of something using multiple methods, such as researching one school or factor.
Define ethnographic study.
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.
What is interpretism in social research?
An approach that tries to understand human action through the eyes of those acting, focusing on the meanings actors give to their own actions.
What does positivism emphasize in social research?
An approach that aims to be as close to the natural sciences as possible, emphasizing the use of quantitative data.
What is quantitative data?
Information that appears in numericals form, or in the form of statistics.
Explain reliability in research.
If someone else repeats the same research with the same population, they should achieve the same results.
What is data?
Information that appears in written, visual or audio form, such as transcripts of interviews, newspapers, and websites.
What does validity refer to in research?
The extent to which a study provides a true picture of what is really ‘out there’ in the world.
What is Verstehen?
A method where a researcher aims to understand another person’s experience by putting themselves in the other person’s shoes.
What does representative mean?
The research sample reflects the characteristics of the wider target population that is being studied.
Define secondary data.
Data that has been collected by previous researchers or organizations, such as the government.
What is a research sample?
The actual population selected for the research, also known as the respondents.
What is a pilot study?
A test study carried out before the main research study and on a smaller scale, to uncover potential problems.
What is the Hawthorne effect?
When respondents alter their behavior because they know they are being observed.
What is stratified sampling?
Dividing the sample frame into smaller groups, such as social class or age, and drawing individuals randomly from these groups.
Define rapport in research.
A close and harmonious relationship between researcher and respondents, facilitating understanding and communication.
What is triangulation in social research?
The use of more than one method in social research to verify the validity of other data sources and improve reliability.
Value free
Not imposing the values of a specific culture or researcher onto research so it remains objective and accurate.
Random Sampling
Every member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample
Systematic sample
Every nth member of the target population is selected for the sample
Stratified sampling
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
Snowball sampling
One contact will recruit other contacts to get involved in the research
Volunteer sampling
When a sample is gathered through participants putting themselves forward to be studied. Respondents are found through advertising, in the paper, Internet etc.
Opportunity sampling
Researcher uses a sample of people who are available at the time
Purposive sampling
The researcher has a clear idea of the sample they want, they will pick participants that meet the criteria
Quota sampling
The researcher has a clear number of people they need to include in their sample based on certain characteristics
Longitudinal study
Data collected from the same sample over a long period of time.
Self report
Questions that tend to require ticking a box that has been experienced by the participant
Official statistics
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
Unofficial statistics
Quantitative data collected by non-government organisations (NGOs). E.g. employers, charities, political parties
Interpretivism
Focus’ on trying to gain an insight into the experiences of individuals and groups
Rapport
Researchers creating a relationship with the participants, often to help obtain more accurate information
Gatekeeper
People who control access to research participants
Someone who gives access to a researcher about a group of people
Participant observation
The sociologist immerses themselves in the lifestyle of the group they wish to study
Non- participant observation
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
Overt observation
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
Covert observation
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
Mixed methods
Combine quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis in one study. Provides more in-depth findings
Demand characteristics
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
Demand characteristics
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
Content analysis
When researchers attempt to analyse and interpret media or written pieces of work in themes to identify patterns. Turn qualitative data into quantitative data
Evaluation of random sampling
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
Field experiments
Conducted in a real world environment but still manipulate the variables
Meta analysis
Reviewing multiple studies with the same/ similar research aims on the same topic to find overall trends
Interviewer bias
When the interviewer influences the responses though tone or wording
Operationalisation
Defining abstract concepts in measurable ways
Pilot study
A small trial run of a study to test if it works
