Research methods Summary Flashcards

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1
Q

Explain Interpretivism

What 3 things are they interested in?

What does Weber call this?

What type of methods do they prefer?

What type of info do they use?

What is an example of this?

A

> Interested in experiences, accounts, and opinions of people

> Interested in putting yourself in someone elses shoes

> Weber calls this Verstehen - (Understanding)

> Prefer methods that produce qualitative data, descriptive

> Info they use makes us feel for what something is like.

> e.g. what it feels like to get Good GCSE’s or if your marriage ends in divorc

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2
Q

Explain Positivism (Structural)

See world as what?

These can only be measured with what?

What are examples of sociologists?

What methods do they prefer?

What type of Info do they use?

What is an example of this?

A

> See world made up of scientific laws

> These can only be measured with hard empirical proof

> Examples of Sociologists e.g. Durkheim

> Prefer methods that produce Quantitative data.

> Info in numerical or statistical form

> e.g. NO of Girls who get A* in GCSE’s or % of marriage ending in divorce

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3
Q

What are examples of Data and Methods used by Structuralists

A

> Closed Questionnaire
Structured Interviews
Stats
Experiments

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4
Q

What are examples of Data and Methods used by

Interpretivists

A

> Open Questionnaire
Unstructured Interview
Life Documents
Participant Obs

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5
Q

In Social Surveys, what is the procedure?

A

Procedures to ask questions on aspect of human behaviour, sociologist is interested in e.g voting

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6
Q

What are the 2 Main Research methods involved in Social Surveys?

A

Questionnaires and Interview

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7
Q

What are the 3 Aspects considered in relation to evaluating the usefulness of Sociological Research Methods?

A

> Practicality
Ethical
Theoretical

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8
Q

Give issues that come under Practicality that need to be considered?

A

Time
Access
Funding
Cost
Personal Danger

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9
Q

Explain Issues that come under Ethical that need to be considered?

A

Harm
Deception
Privacy and Confidentiality
Social Effects of Research

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10
Q

Explain Issues that come under Theoretical that need to be considered?

A

Objectivity
Reliability
Validity
Representative

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11
Q

Define Reliability, in relation to Research Methods?

A

Other sociologists could repeat research and get same results

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12
Q

Define Validity, in relation to Research Methods?

A

Provides true picture of topic researched.

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13
Q

Define Interviews in relation to Research Methods

A

Alternative method for questionnaires, usually face 2 face
Useful for getting more detailed info
Allowing more natural and flexible approach to questioning
Vary from un/structured interviews

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14
Q

Define Semi-Structured Interview

A

Each interview has same set of questions, but interviewer can also probe for more info.

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15
Q

Define Structured Interviews

Who are they preferred by?

A

> Researcher reads out list of fixed questions, using same tone of voice, facial expressions etc

> Structured/formal interviews are preferred by positivists.

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16
Q

Explain Positivist views on Structured Interviews, in relation to advantages of Structured Interviews?

A

Positivists believe structured interviews are an unbiased method that can test a hypothesis and examine relationships between variables.

17
Q

Give the 3 Practical Advantages of Structured Interviews?

A

> Higher response rates than questionnaires, interviewers can persuade people to answer questions.

> Available to clarify misunderstandings.

> Overcome problems with literacy.

18
Q

Give the 2 Ethical Advantages of Structured Interviews?

A

> No issues of deception, due to informed consent.

> Not too personally invasive

19
Q

Give the 3 Theoretical Advantages of Structured Interviews?

A

> Can assess truthfulness of participant - More valid than questionnaires

> Uses quantitative data, more reliable

> More reliable, as researcher can standardise and control them, make sure they’re done with same questions, tone of voice etc.

20
Q

Why do Interpretivists criticise Structured Interviews?

A

Unable to develop relationship of trust and understanding (verstehen)

21
Q

Why do Feminists criticise Structured Interviews?

A

> Feminists say structured interviews are patriarchal, giving a distorted picture of women’s experiences

22
Q

What is Graham’s Feminist criticism of Structured Interviews?

A

> Also say researcher imposes categories on women.

> So difficult for them to express experiences, concealing unequal power relationships between sexes.

23
Q

Give the 3 Practical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews?

A

> Time-Consuming

> More costly than self-completion questionnaires, as interviewers have to be trained and paid.

> Interviewer effect: Person may only give answers they feel are socially acceptable.

24
Q

Explain the Interpretivist Notion of the Imposition Problem, in relation Practical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews?

A

Can’t express true feelings on topic, as questions and possible answers pre-chosen by researcher.
Limiting what they are able to say, so may not reflect issues respondents feel are vital

25
Q

Give the Ethical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews?

A

> Age, Gender of interviewer may affect respondent. Can make respondent feel uncomfortable

26
Q

Explain 2 Theoretical Disadvantage of Structured Interviews?

A

> Limits possible answers participant give - lower validity compared to unstructured

> Fewer people than questionnaires, less representative

27
Q

Define Unstructured Interviews

A

> Unstructured interviews are informal, gives respondent more freedom, but researcher asks questions to ensure respondent keeps to subject.

28
Q

What are examples of Unstructured Interview Studies?

A

> Bernstein - (Speech Codes)

> Hargreaves - (3 Stages to Labelling)

> Dobash & Dobash - (DV)

> Oakley - (Maternity and Childbirth)

29
Q

Explain what occurred in Bernstein’s Study of Speech Codes in Semi Structured Interviews

A

Studied kids of different social classes.
Study found 2 ways of speaking: Restricted Code and Elaborate Code
MC used Elaborate Code
WC limited to restricted code

30
Q

Hargreaves Example of Unstructured Interviews

What did he use?

Looked at what?

What 3 stages to Labelling did he find?

A

> Used unstructured interviews and PO in 2 schools.

> Looked at how teachers label students

> Found 3 stages to labelling: Speculation, Elaboration, Confirmation

31
Q

Explain Interpretivist views on Unstructured Interviews, in relation to advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

Interpretivists argue unstructured interviews enable researchers to get a deeper understanding (verstehen) of individual.

32
Q

Explain Feminist views on Unstructured Interviews, in relation to advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

Feminist favour them as, they allow researcher to build more equal relationship, based on empathy and trust.

33
Q

Give the 2 Practical Advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

> Better response rate than questionnaires

> Can follow up responses in-depth & develop on new ideas.

34
Q

Explain Rapport and Sensitivity, in relation to Ethical Advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

Informal so allows interviewer to develop a rapport helping them feel more comfortable and open up, good for sensitive topics.

35
Q

Give the 2 Ethical Advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

> Interviews can refuse to answer questions.

> Taking part involves informed consent

36
Q

Give the Theoretical Advantages of Unstructured Interviews?

A

Valid can assess truthfulness of participant