RESEARCH METHODS- PROCESS OF RESEARCH Flashcards
What is a social survey?
A method of gathering large amounts of data from a wide variety of people through methods like questionnaires and interviews using closed-ended and open-ended questions.
What are the stages of a social survey?
Choosing the topic of research
Deciding on the aim and hypothesis
Operationalising the concepts
Choosing the research method
Conducting a pilot study
Selecting the sample
Conducting the survey
Analyzing the data
Choosing the Topic
What is the first stage of a social survey?
Choosing the topic to research.
What factors affect the topic a researcher chooses?
The sociologist’s theoretical perspective (e.g., Feminist, Marxist)
Society’s values (e.g., changing views on LGBTQ+ families)
Practical factors (e.g., accessibility of participants)
Funding organization (e.g., government, charities like Sutton Trust)
Aims and Hypothesis
What is an aim in sociological research?
A statement identifying what the researcher intends to study and hopes to achieve.
What is a hypothesis in sociological research?
A possible explanation expressed as a statement, which the researcher sets out to prove or disprove by gathering evidence.
What are the advantages of having an aim?
Allows the researcher to investigate a broad range of interesting information about the topic.
What are the advantages of having a hypothesis?
Gives direction to the research, focuses questions, and measures cause-and-effect relationships.
What does it mean to operationalise concepts?
Converting key concepts into something measurable to help focus the research and write survey questions.
Why is operationalising concepts important?
Helps in designing clear questions participants can answer
Allows for correlations to be made (cause-and-effect relationships)
What are some research methods sociologists can use?
Questionnaires, interviews, observations, documents, and official statistics.
What factors influence the choice of research method?
Methodological perspective and practical issues like funding availability.
What is a pilot study?
A trial run of a draft version of the questionnaire or interview.
What is the aim of a pilot study?
To improve questions and wording to ensure respondents can easily understand them.
What is a sample in sociological research?
The people the researcher will ask to take part in the study.
