research methods ad/dis

Question 1

practical issues in a research method

Answer 1

time, money, access

Question 2

ethical issues in a research method

Answer 2

informed consent, confidentiality

Question 3

theoretical issues in a research method

Answer 3

reliability, representative, validity

Question 4

identify and explain 2 advantages of questionnaires

Answer 4

1. easy and cheap able to reach a large sample therefore representative
2. standardised qu means reliability of the data gathered should be high

Question 5

identify and explain 2 disadvantages of questionnaires

Answer 5

1. lack of validity; they are closed qu meaning boxes to tick rather than saying what they actually think. may be rushed and not taken seriously
2. non responses may result to distorted sample and less representative sample

Question 6

identify and explain 2 advantages of structured interviews

Answer 6

1. allow for respondents answers to be compared and are reliable
2. interaction with the researcher encourages respondent to be open and honest therefore more valid

Question 7

identify and explain 2 disadvantages of structured interviews

Answer 7

1. respondents may give responses that they think the interviewer wants to hear (socially desirable answers)- invalid
2. people may lie

Question 8

identify and explain 2 advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 8

1. rapport- the informality allows the interviewer to build a relationship with the interviewee
2. valid- no fixed qu people may be more truthful

Question 9

identify and explain 2 disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 9

1. practical- time consuming typically longer and more expensive due to training the interviewer in sensitivity
2. not reliable- respondents ability to respond however they want makes it impossible to clarify

Question 10

identify 2 advantages of using group interviews

Answer 10

1.variaty of opinions
2. large amount of detail generated

Question 11

identify 2 disadvantages of using group interviews

Answer 11

1. difficult to compare answers
2. cant guarantee honesty of participents

Question 12

identify 2 advantages of overt observation

Answer 12

1. less ethical issues as participants know they are being observed
2. if non- participant then likely to remain apart from your research subjects and will remain more objective

Question 13

identify 2 disadvantages of overt observation

Answer 13

1. practical - time consuming / likely to be expensive as many observation are longitudinal
2. lacks validity- group under study changing their behavior due to observer- hawthrone affect

Question 14

identify 2 advantages of using covert observation

Answer 14

1. allows researcher to see participants in their natural environment- ecological validity
2. if participant observation it allows researcher to act as part of the group understanding from their point of view -validity

Question 15

identify 2 disadvantages of using covert observation

Answer 15

1. ethical issues- difficult to justify spying on people / participants have not given consent this may put researcher in danger if they find out
2. danger of researcher going native and losing their objectivity

Question 16

identify 2 advantages of longitudinal study

Answer 16

1. helps study from going out of date and can go into depth
2. allows researcher to build up a picture of social life that recognises changes over time

Question 17

identify 2 disadvantages of longitudinal study

Answer 17

1. time consuming and difficult to manage as peoples circumstances are constantly changing
2. participants may drop out of study or move away