Research Methods Key words Flashcards
Positivism
Assumes sociological research should be like the natural sciences and therefore can be measured. Prefer quantitative methods
Interpretivism
Do not accept a single social reality, believe society is socially constructed. Prefer qualitative methods.
Unstructured interview
Researcher has topics to cover but can pick up on interesting topics. No fixed/set questions.
Participant observation
Researcher becomes part of the group they want to study
Case study
Information is gathered from several different areas on a single person or group
Personal documents
Written documents created with the intent to keep them private or only show trusted individuals. An example would be a diary.
Primary data
Where the researcher conducts research themselves
Secondary data
To use data that was collected for other purposes. eg. official statistics
Quantitative data
Data in the form of numerical data (preferred by positivists)
Qualitative data
Non numerical data in the form of words (preferred by interpritivists)
Validity
where you get a true and genuine picture of what is being studied
Reliability
When results are the same when you repeat research
Representative
Whether your sample is a typical cross section of the population.
Generalise
Where you can apply the results of your research to the target population
Hypothesis
A testable statement of what you can expect to happen in your research
Operationalisation
Breaking down concepts so they can be measured
Target population
The group of people you want to apply your research to
Sampling frame
List of people in the target population
Sampling unit
Individual person selected from the sampling frame
Non-random sampling
Participants selected with some influence from the researcher
Snowball sample
Ask one participant and they get others
Volunteer
Advertise research and participants respond
Quota sample
Participants are approached if they have the right characteristics
Random sampling
Everyone has an equal chance of being selected
Pilot study
A small scale piece of research to eliminate problems
Triangulation
Using more than one method
Methodological pluralism
Combine positivist and interpretive methods
