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Research Methods Flashcards

1
Q

Qualitative data:

A

Data that is in the written form which can show meanings and reasons

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2
Q

Quantitative data:

A

Data in a numerical form that can show patterns in society

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3
Q

Primary data:

A

Information collected by the researcher for their own purpose

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4
Q

Secondary data:

A

Information that has already been collected or created by someone else for their own purpose

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5
Q

Positivist:

A

They study society scientifically and objectively, looking for patterns to prove social facts

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6
Q

Interpretivist:

A

They study society through individual meanings and reasons to help interperate human behaviour

Use valid methods to give qualitative data

Important to uncover meanings of actions and behaviour

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7
Q

Social facts:

A

Positivists like to collect data and then establish facts about the topic of study

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8
Q

Verstehen:

A

Interpretivists like to show understanding and empathy towards the subject matter

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9
Q

Define Practical issues:

A

The basic practicality of doing the research

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10
Q

Define ethical issues:

A

The moral conduct of the research, this protects the integrity of the researcher and the safeguard of the participants

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11
Q

Define theoretical issues:

A

The value of the research towards society

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12
Q

Define hypothesis:

A

A possible explanation that can be tested by collecting evidence to prove it true or false

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13
Q

Define the research aim:

A

The researcher identify’s what they intend to study and hope to achieve by doing the research

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14
Q

Operationalising concepts:

A

The process of converting a sociological concept into something you can measure

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15
Q

Define pilot study:

A

The creation of a small sample of people so they can make sure they aren’t wasting money

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16
Q

Define sample:

A

A smaller sub-group drawn from the wider group of people

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17
Q

What is a sample frame?

A

A list of people applicable for the study

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18
Q

Random stratified sampling:

A

A representative sampling technique where a sample is broken down into population frames and then taken proportionally

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19
Q

Random sampling:

A

A presentation sampling technique where everyone has an equal chance of being selected

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20
Q

Systematic sampling:

A

A representative sampling technique where every nth person in a sample frame is selected

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21
Q

Snowball sampling:

A

Non-representative sampling technique where they ask one person to recommend people that may be applicable for the study

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22
Q

Questionnaires:

A

They are a method of research where you ask the participant to answer pre-set questions

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23
Q

Open questions:

A

The participants get asked questions with no pre-selected answers

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24
Q

Closed questions:

A

The participants get asked to answer questions with pre-selected answers

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25
Interviews:
An interview is where the researcher has social interaction between them and the interviewee
26
Structured interview:
This is where the interview is conducted in the same way, with the same question each time
27
Unstructured interview:
This is where the interview has no question order and the interviewer has the freedom to ask different questions
28
Rapport:
Where the interviewer and interviewee create a relationship between each other
29
Participant observation:
This is the method where the researcher takes part in the event or everyday activities of a group and observes their actions
30
Non-participant observation:
This method is where the researcher doesn't take part in the activities and only observes the group
31
Overt:
This is where the participants know the full aim of the research and that they are part of it
32
Covert:
This is where the real identity and purpose of the researcher is hidden from the participants
33
Structured observation:
The researcher creates a pre-determined schedule that the observation keeps to
34
Unstructured observation:
This is where researcher lets people do things like normal and builds up their theory from that
35
Laboratory experiments:
This type of experiment is where the participants are put into a artificial environment where the researcher can manipulate the variables
36
Independent variable:
The thing you can change and manipulate to see how it effects your dependent variable
37
Dependent variable:
The thing that the researcher measures to see the effect on the independent variable
38
Experiment group:
The group of participants that will be involved in the research
39
Control group:
Group of participants that aren't effected by the research and are just used for comparison
40
Field experiment:
This type of experiment is where you study someone in their natural environment, with or without their knowledge
41
Comparative method:
This method doesn't actually include any people and is a thought experiment carried out by the sociologists
42
Official statistics:
This is quantitative data that has been collected by the government or other official bodies
43
Document method:
This can included any visual, auditory, imagery or written form of communication
44
Content analysis:
This is the analysis of documents produced by the mass media
45
What does PERVERT mean?
``` Practical Ethical Representativeness Validity Examples Reliability Theoretical ```
46
Key facts about interpretivists:
Study individuals to understand meanings behind data Use qualitative data to achieve validity Don't think you can observe society as a whole
47
Key facts about positivists:
Use scientific data Use quantitative methods Need data to be realistic and reliable Key for it be representative and generalisable View society as a whole Observe trends and patterns
48
What type of data do questionnaires use?
Quantitative data
49
Advantages of questionnaires:
Reliable Normally done on a large scale so is representative Relatively inexpensive
50
Disadvantages of questionnaires:
Respondents can lie Can be misinterpreted May be challenging to answer
51
What data do interviews collect?
Qualitative data
52
What are interviews?
Conversation between researcher and respondent Can be structured or unstructured
53
Structured interviews are:
Questionnaires given face to face Same questions to each respondent Follow question list so can't ask for more details
54
Unstructured interviews are:
Informal - no rigid structure Take a long time to write up
55
Methods that interpretivists like to use:
Unstructured interviews Participant observation As they look out for individuals in society - micro scale
56
What are questionnaires?
Mainly closed or multiple choice Reliability and validity depend on design
57
Methods positivists like to use:
Questionnaires Official statistics As look at institutions in society - macro scale
58
What is quantitative data?
Numbers and statistics
59
Advantages of quantitative data:
Can look for cause and effects - find trends Allows for easy analysis
60
Disadvantages of quantitative data:
Can hide reality Don't tell meaning and motive Can be politically biased
61
What is qualitative data?
Opinions and talking
62
Advantages of qualitative data:
Gives insight to social interactions Tells meaning and motives Doesn't force people into artificial categories
63
Disadvantages of qualitative data:
Difficult to repeat Often done on a small scale so are not representative
64
What are observations?
Watching behaviour in a real life setting Can be either covert research (group is unaware they are being observed) or overt research (participants are aware of researcher)
65
What is participant observation?
Researcher is actively involved
66
Advantages of participant observation:
No misinterpretation Witness groups daily activities
67
Disadvantages of participant observation:
Can cause horthorne effect Can't be repeated Practical access issue
68
What is non participant observation?
Researcher is not actively involved
69
Advantages of non-participant observation:
Researchers values are not compromised No horthorne effect
70
Disadvantage of non participant observation:
Not aware of meanings behind actions Can be unethical if published without participants consent
71
What is primary data?
Collected first hand
72
Advantages of primary data:
Up to date information Don't have to rely on another researcher Relevant to researcher questions
73
Disadvantages of primary data:
Potential for horthorne effect Can be expensive
74
What is secondary data?
Existing info
75
Advantages of secondary data:
Quick to collect No Hawthorne feet
76
Disadvantages of secondary data:
May be outdated | may not be authentic or credible
77
What type of data do experiments get?
Quantitative data
78
What are lab experiments?
Controlled environment Researcher changes independent variable and observes effect of dependent variable
79
Advantages of lab experiments:
Can control experiment Can replicate research
80
Disadvantages of lab experiments:
Hard to recreate real life situations Moral/ethical issues Difficult to isolate single variables
81
What are field experiments?
Take place outside the lab in real life situations
82
Advantages of field experiments:
More life like Show hidden meanings of everyday social interactions
83
Disadvantages of field experiments:
Can't control variables Ethical issues as respondent are unaware May change behaviour if they are aware they are being watched

AS Sociology (16 decks)

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