Research Methods

Question 2

What is a social survey?

Answer 2

A research method that uses questionnaires or interviews to collect data from a large number of people.

Question 3

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 3

A set of written questions used to collect information from respondents.

Question 4

What is a structured interview?

Answer 4

An interview where the same questions are asked in the same order to every participant.

Question 5

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 5

An open, flexible interview that feels more like a conversation.

Question 6

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 6

An interview with some fixed questions, but room to explore answers in more depth.

Question 7

What is a case study?

Answer 7

A detailed investigation of a single group, event, or individual.

Question 8

What is an observation?

Answer 8

A method where the researcher watches people’s behavior to collect data.

Question 9

What is participant observation?

Answer 9

When the researcher takes part in the group they are studying while observing them.

Question 10

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 10

When the researcher observes the group without getting involved.

Question 11

What is overt observation?

Answer 11

When participants know they are being observed.

Question 12

What is covert observation?

Answer 12

When the researcher hides their identity and the group does not know they are being studied.

Question 13

What is a pilot study?

Answer 13

A small-scale trial run of a study to test for problems.

Question 14

What is secondary data?

Answer 14

Data that already exists and was collected by someone else.

Question 15

What are examples of secondary data?

Answer 15

Official statistics, government reports, media content, diaries.

Question 16

What is primary data?

Answer 16

New data collected by the researcher for a specific study.

Question 17

What is qualitative data?

Answer 17

Non-numerical data that describes qualities, opinions, and meanings.

Question 18

What is quantitative data?

Answer 18

Numerical data that can be measured and analysed statistically.

Question 19

What is validity?

Answer 19

The extent to which research actually measures what it claims to measure.

Question 20

What is reliability?

Answer 20

The consistency of results — whether the study can be repeated with the same outcome.

Question 21

What is representativeness?

Answer 21

How well the sample reflects the wider population.

Question 22

What is generalisability?

Answer 22

Whether the findings from a study can be applied to the larger population.

Question 23

What is objectivity?

Answer 23

Keeping personal opinions out of research and staying neutral.

Question 24

What is ethics in research?

Answer 24

Following moral principles like consent, confidentiality, and avoiding harm.

Question 25

Why is informed consent important?

Answer 25

It ensures participants agree to take part in a study knowing all the details and risks.

Question 26

What is anonymity?

Answer 26

Protecting participants by not revealing their identities.

Question 27

What is confidentiality?

Answer 27

Keeping information private and not sharing participants' data.

Question 28

What is a sample?

Answer 28

A smaller group chosen from the population to take part in the research.

Question 29

What is random sampling?

Answer 29

A method where everyone in the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Question 30

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 30

A method where the sample is divided into groups (strata) and selected proportionally.

Question 31

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 31

A method where existing participants recruit more participants, useful for hard-to-reach groups.

Question 32

What are the strengths of using questionnaires?

Answer 32

Quick, cheap, can collect data from lots of people, easy to analyse.

Question 33

What are the limitations of interviews?

Answer 33

Can be time-consuming, expensive, and affected by interviewer bias.

Question 34

Why might sociologists prefer primary data over secondary data?

Answer 34

Primary data is collected first-hand and tailored to the specific aims of the research

Question 35

What are the strengths of using official statistics in sociological research?

Answer 35

Official statistics are readily available

Question 36

How does the use of open vs. closed questions affect data collection?

Answer 36

Open questions allow respondents to answer in their own words

Question 37

What are the advantages and disadvantages of participant observation?

Answer 37

Participant observation allows the researcher to gain an insider perspective

Question 38

Why might a researcher choose an unstructured interview over a structured one?

Answer 38

Unstructured interviews allow for more detailed

Question 39

Why is generalisability important in sociological research?

Answer 39

Generalisability allows the findings of a study to be applied to the wider population. This strengthens the impact and usefulness of research. A study with a small or biased sample might produce findings that cannot be generalised

Question 40

How does the Hawthorne effect impact the validity of research findings?

Answer 40

The Hawthorne effect occurs when participants change their behavior because they know they are being observed. This reduces the validity of the data

Question 41

How can sociologists improve the reliability of their research?

Answer 41

Using standardised procedures

Question 42

Compare qualitative and quantitative data in terms of sociological value.

Answer 42

Qualitative data provides rich

Question 43

What is triangulation and why is it useful in research?

Answer 43

Triangulation involves using more than one research method to study the same topic

Question 44

Why do positivists and interpretivists disagree on research methods?

Answer 44

Positivists prefer scientific

Question 45

How can sampling affect the validity and representativeness of a study?

Answer 45

If a sample is too small

Question 46

What are the limitations of using case studies in sociological research?

Answer 46

Case studies provide deep

Question 47

How does the research aim influence the choice of method?

Answer 47

The aim determines whether the researcher seeks depth (qualitative methods like interviews) or breadth (quantitative methods like surveys). For example