Research Methods and Example Studies

Question 1

Ethnographic study

Answer 1

Mac an Ghaill
Studied education of black youths.
Intensive participant observation - also made him shift his theoretical perspective
Also used a range of quantitative data eg school data and exam results - methodological pluralism
Became friendly with participants - does not claim to be value free
Able to gain access as was a teacher
Ethical issues - he experienced ostracism in the classroom

Question 2

Content analysis

Answer 2

Gender: Gaye Tuchman
Ethnicity: Van Dijk
Age: Wayne et al

Question 3

Longitudinal study

Answer 3

British Cohort Study
OCJS
Willis

Question 4

Case Study

Answer 4

Willis

Dawn Butler

Question 5

Respondent validation

Answer 5

Willis

Question 6

Reflexivity

Answer 6

Lumsden
Valerie Hey
Mac an Ghaill

Question 7

Personal documents

Answer 7

Dawn Butler
Valerie Hay (notes)
Diaries - British Cohort Study

Question 8

Describe some aspects of the British Cohort Study

Answer 8

Questionnaires
Positivist/Realist approach
Positivist large scale methods to provide causal relationships (that can have a positive influence on social policy)
Also uses methods that provide qualitative data - open questions in semi-structured interviews and diaries
Started with sample of 17,000 but only 20% have completed each sweep

Question 9

Computer assisted interviewing (CAPI)

Answer 9

British Cohort Study

CSEW/BCS)

Question 10

Who was the gatekeeper for the British Cohort Study?

Answer 10

The parents of the children

Question 11

Types of documents

Answer 11

Public
Personal
Historical

Question 12

Victim survey

Answer 12

Islington Crime Survey

Walklate’s victim surveys of female victims of DV

Question 13

Name a study which used unstructured interviews

Answer 13

Walklate - female victim survey of DV