Research Methods & PET Flashcards
Define ‘quantitative data’.
Information in a numerical form, it is easy to quantify and analyse.
Define ‘qualitative data’.
Written data which is rich and high quality. It is more difficult to quantify and analyse but provides a deeper understanding for behaviour.
Define ‘primary data.’
Data which is collected first hand by the researcher(s).
EG; surveys, observations experiments, interviews and questionnaires.
Define ‘secondary data.’
Data used by one researcher which was collected or created previously by another person or researcher.
EG; Historical documents, internet & tv, government stats, personal letters and diaries.
What are some practical issues?
- Time and money
- Requirements of funding bodies
- Subject matter - (gatekeeper)
- Research opportunity
- Personal skills and characteristics
Name some ethical issues.
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality / privacy
- Physical / psychological harm to participants
- Vulnerable groups
- Deception - (covert research)
Name some theoretical issues.
- Validity
- Reliability
- Repetitiveness
- Methodological Perspective
What is a sampling frame?
The list of everyone in the population, for example a registration list with everyone in a school year.
What is a sample?
The group of people taken from the sampling frame with whom you conduct your research.
What is random sampling?
Everyone in the sampling frame has equal chance of being selected. This can be done by drawing names from a hat or a computer generator - this method is not representative.
What is stratified sampling?
To overcome the lack of representativeness from other sampling methods, the sampling frame can be divided into groups (eg; boys, girls, year group, religion ect) a % is then taken from each group.
What is systematic sampling?
When there is a regular pattern, for example every 10th name chosen from the sampling frame is chosen. This could be done using a phone book or register.
What is cluster sampling?
This is used when a population is spread out over a large area, such as the whole of Britain. Certain areas are chosen and random samples taken in those areas to avoid the expense and time involved around the country.
What is snowball sampling?
This has become a well known way of contacting people when normal sampling will not work. It involves finding one respondent and getting the individual to put you in contact with or several other respondents. It’s been used for example, when interviewing gangsters.
What is quota sampling?
When a researcher is sent instructions to find people with certain characteristics eg; 10 teenagers taking GCSEs on drama. it’s often used for market research.
