Research Methods Key Terms Flashcards
What are Positivists?
Researchers who believe society shapes the individual, and approach research with a basis on the scientific method. They generally collect quantitative data below.
What are Interpretivists?
Researchers who believe the individual shapes society, and aim to understand motives and meanings behind behaviour. They generally collect qualitative data
What is Qualitative data?
data that is presented in a variety of forms that are rich in descriptive detail.
What is Quantitative data?
Data that is presented in numerical form.
What are closed questions?
A questionnaire that only allows the respondent to choose from a predetermined set of answers.
What are open questions?
A questionnaire or unstructured interview that allows the respondent space to answer as they wish.
What are questionnaires?
A questionnaire is simply a written list of predetermined questions that a sociologist wishes to put to a group of respondents.
Why are questionnaires important?
Questionnaires are very useful to researchers who wish to gather factual information and opinions on a specific issue.
Name one advantage of questionnaires
- Cheap
- Reliable
- Can be easily expressed in numerical form
Name one disadvantage of questionnaires
- Limit responses
- Pre-coded questions can be biased
- Low response rates could ruin research/conclusion of
data
What is confidentiality?
The need for researchers not to publish the personal details of respondents (without their consent).
What is the data protection act?
The law regarding the storage and use of personal information.
What are ethical considerations?
The need for researchers to ensure that their work neither causes harm nor necessary offence to participants, e.g. anonymity, confidentiality and informed consent.
What is a key informant?
A knowledgeable participant in sociological research.
What is a Pseudonym?
In sociological research, a name used to conceal the identity of an individual informant.
What is a Generic name?
In sociological research, a name used to conceal the real identity of a place or organisation, e.g. Cornerville.
What is a personality test?
A questionnaire that’s supposed to reveal an individual’s personality
What is Genocide?
Acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethical, racial or religious groups
Name one key feature of an experiment
- they involve controlling the variables in the experimental situation; factors that might affect the outcome of the experiment need to be identified, introduced and then excluded
- the aim of experimental research is to identify the factors that cause certain things to happen.
- experiments involve detailed observation, measurements and recording.
What is a Focus group?
A small group of people who are asked to consider a particular issue and discuss it in depth with an interviewer
What is Interviewer bias?
This occurs when interviews influence the answers given by a respondent
What is a Semi-structured interview?
This combines some of the features of structured and unstructured interviews
What is a Transcript?
A written version of the interview
One advantage of interviews?
- qualitative data can be gathered in depth from unstructured interviews, providing insight into various type social behaviour
- unstructured interviews are flexible, allowing the interviewer to pursue an unanticipated line of enquiry
- interviews can produce data in high validity