Research Methods Topic 1 - Intro to Research Methods Flashcards
What is PRIMARY DATA?
Information collected by sociologists for their own purposes to test hypotheses
What is SECONDARY DATA?
Information created by someone else for their own purposes, used by sociologists for research
What are the methods for collecting PRIMARY DATA?
- Social Surveys
- Participant observations
- Experiments
What are examples of SECONDARY DATA?
- Official statistics
- Documents (letters, diaries, newspapers)
What is an advantage of PRIMARY DATA?
It can be gathered specifically for the needs of the hypothesis/study
What is a disadvantage of PRIMARY DATA?
It can be very time-consuming and costly
What is an advantage of SECONDARY DATA?
It can be a quick and cheap way of doing research
What is a disadvantage of SECONDARY DATA?
The original researcher may not have researched exactly what is needed
Define QUANTITATIVE DATA
Information in numerical form
Give an example of QUANTITATIVE DATA
Official statistics on how many girls pass 5 or more GCSEs
Define QUALITATIVE DATA
Data that gives a feel for what something is like
What methods can collect QUALITATIVE DATA?
- Participant observations
- In-depth interviews
What types of data do INTERPRETIVISTS prefer?
Qualitative data for a valid understanding of social experiences
What types of data do POSITIVISTS prefer?
Quantitative data for reliability and generalization
What are practical factors influencing choice of research methods?
- Time
- Money
- Access
What ethical consideration involves obtaining permission from participants?
Informed consent
What does confidentiality and anonymity protect?
The identity of participants
What potential harms must researchers be aware of?
- Psychological harm
- Physical harm
- Social exclusion
What is covert research?
Research where the researcher’s identity and purpose is hidden from participants
What is VALIDITY in research?
Truthfulness of the data to society
What is RELIABILITY in research?
Repeatability of the research results
What is REPRESENTATIVENESS in research?
The accuracy of the group studied as a reflection of the larger population
What influences a sociologist’s choice of research topic?
- The sociologist’s perspective
- Society’s values
- Practical factors
- Funding bodies
What is a pilot study?
A pre-emptive study to test the feasibility of a real study
What is operationalising concepts?
Turning an abstract idea into something measurable and observable
Define a sample in research
A subset of a population used for analysis
What is the purpose of sampling?
To make inferences about the larger population from a smaller group
What is random sampling?
A sampling method where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected
What is quasi-random/systematic sampling?
A method where samples are selected at regular intervals from a randomly ordered list
What is stratified random sampling?
A method that divides the population into strata and samples from each stratum
