Research methods ( Intro )

Question 1

What is Methodology

Answer 1

refers to the methods researchers use to collect data and the philosophy underlying the production of sociological data.

Question 2

List the types of Data

Answer 2

Primary Data

Secondary Data

Question 3

Define ‘Primary Data’

Answer 3

Primary data are sources of data that are produced directly by a sociologist conducting research.

examples may include, results of experiments or the answers obtained from questionnaires and interviews.

Question 4

What is Sec Data

Answer 4

Data that already exists for a researcher uses.

For example government statistics, or the results of an experiment conducted by another researcher.

Question 5

Define ‘Qualitative Data’

Answer 5

Data that is linked with words through opinions and beliefs.

Question 6

Define ‘Quantitative Data’

Answer 6

Data that can be expressed numerically.

Question 7

Define ‘reliability’

Answer 7

The degree to which a piece of research can be accurately replicated, producing the same results.

Question 8

Define ‘Validity’

Answer 8

Refers to whether or not the chosen method provides a true, genuine, or authentic depiction of what is being studied.

E.g Qualitative data generally has high validity but is less reliable.

Question 9

Define ‘representativeness’.

Answer 9

The degree to which the findings can be generalised to the wider population.

Question 10

What does P.E.T stand 4, in relation to methods and context in research methods

Answer 10

Practical considerations

Ethical

Theoretical considerations

Question 11

List the 5 practical factors that need to be considered when carrying out a research method.

Answer 11

1) Time
2) Location
3) Costs
4) Laws
5) Usefulness of research

Question 12

List the 4 ethical factors that need to be considered when carrying out a research method.

Answer 12

1) Protection from harm
2) Informed Consent ( must be gained freely)
3) Deception ( not being honest abt the intentions of the study)
4) Confidentiality ( respect the privacy, anonymity and interests of participants)

Question 13

Difference between Methodological Pluralism and Triangulation? ( In detail )

Answer 13

Methodological pluralism refers to the use of a variety of methods and types of data in a single research study.

Whereas

Triangulation refers to the use of a variety of methods and different types of data to cross-check that the results obtained by one particular method are valid and reliable.

This might include using qualitative unstructured interviews to check against responses to a quantitative survey.

Question 14

What two groups do sociologists fall into when deciding how to study society

Answer 14

Positivism

Interpretivism

Question 15

Define ‘Positivism’

Answer 15

refers to the belief that there are ‘social facts’ that can be studied objectively using methods that are similar to the natural sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, and biology).

Question 16

What types of Research methods do Positivists prefer

Answer 16

Positivist research methods include:
Laboratory experiments.
The comparative method.
Social surveys.
Structured questionnaires.

Question 17

What source of data do positivism methods produce?

Answer 17

Positivist methods produce quantitative data on social patterns and trends which can be used to explain society.

Question 18

What 2 things do Positivists value in a piece of research?

Answer 18

1) Quantitative data - Reliability

{Laboratory experiments.
The comparative method.
Social surveys.
Structured questionnaires.}

2) Representativeness

Question 19

What do Interpretivism suggest?

Answer 19

Interpretivism implies that people are conscious of their personal beliefs, meanings, values, and interpretations and that these influence the way they act.

Question 20

What do Interpretivists value in a piece of research and which methods they use to get their final results ?

Answer 20

1) Qualitative data - Validity
{ Uncontrolled field experiments.
Open-ended questionnaires.
Unstructured interviews.
Overt and covert participant and non-participant observation.
Personal accounts, using personal documents such as diaries and letters.

2) Focused on individuals

Question 21

Define ‘generalisability’.

Answer 21

Generalisability refers to whether the method enables the findings to be generalised to similar groups.

Question 22

Why is the theoretical element is the most significant to consider when conducting a research.

Answer 22

Because they determine the way the sociology choose to research society as their theoretical perspectives is a central way to how they view the world.

Question 23

What is the ‘Hawthorne effect’.

Answer 23

The Hawthorne effect refers to when people alter their behaviour when they know they are being observed, as a way of pleasing the researcher.

Question 24

What factors influence data collection methods

Answer 24

1. Theoretical Inclination of the researcher. (
   Positivist & Interpretivist)
2. Types of data needed
   ( Quantitative & Qualitative)

Question 25

Key factors in evaluating Research Methods

Answer 25

Practical

Ethical

Theoretical

Example

Representativeness