Research Methods case studies

Question 1

(COVERT Participant Observation) outline Venkatesh’s gang case study; ‘gang leader for a day’

Answer 1

• he integrated into the black gang in which he observed
• Venkatesh told the gang leader that he would write a book about them - was covertly researching them for sociology
• he was there nearly 8yrs + found it hard to leave + integrate back into his old life - he went native
• he participated in gang activities such as beating a domestic abuser - ethical issue

Question 2

(LAB EXPERIMENT) outline Milgram’s case study

Answer 2

• a lab experiment
• he told Ps to administer electric shocks when a learner answered a Q wrong
• the shocks were fake, but Ps thought they were real
• aimed to measure obedience to authority

Question 3

(LAB EXPERIMENT) outline Harvey + Slatin’s case study

Answer 3

• 100 teachers were shown 20 images of children from different social class backgrounds
• teachers were asked to rate the children based on their performance, aspirations etc
• WC children were rated les favourably
• teachers said they based their ratings on the similarities percieved between the image and the students they’ve taught

Question 4

(FIELD EXPERIMENT) outline Jacobsen + Rosenthal’s case study (Pygmalion Effect)

Answer 4

• a field experiment
• aimed to test the effect of teachers’ expectations of children’s ability and if it will affect their progress
• they did this by randomly picking 20% of all students and identified them as ‘spurters’
• after a year, they returned, and found that the ‘spurter’ labelled students progressed much further than those who hadn’t been labelled
• they assumed that the teachers gave the labelled students special attention

Question 5

(COVERT PO) outline Griffins ‘Black like me’ case study

Answer 5

• Griffin went undercover as a black man in 1960s southern America
• he used medication and sun beds to appear darker skinned
• aimed to experience first hand the impact of racism

Question 6

(QUESTIONNAIRE) outline Connor + Dewson’s study

Answer 6

• posted 4,000 questionnaires to students
• aimed to explore factors influencing the decisions of the WC going to Uni

Question 7

(QUESTIONNAIRE) outline Schofield’s case study

Answer 7

• a questionnaire
• aimed to research the sexual behaviours of teens
• one question asked ‘are you a virgin?’, in which someone answered ‘no, not yet’
• this shows lack of operationalising and misunderstanding that can occur with Questionnaires

Question 8

(INTERVIEWS) outline Dobash + Dobash’s case study

Answer 8

• carried out over 100 unstructured interview
• aimed to investigate domestic violence among victims
• researchers were able to build a rapport

Question 9

(INTERVIEWS) outline Willis’ case study

Answer 9

• used group interviews
• aimed to investigate Laddish behaviour/ subcultures among WC boys + their experience of education
• issue of peer pressure

Question 10

(SECONDARY SOURCES) outline Aries’ use of SS

Answer 10

• Aries used historic paintings (documents)
• aimed to study the rise of the modern notions of childhood

Question 11

(SECONDARY SOURCES) outline Hey’s use of SS

Answer 11

• Hey used school girls’ notes passed
• aimed to investigate friendship issues/ patterns
• issue of ethics