RM Topic 1

Question 1

Secondary data

Answer 1

Data collected by someone else which the sociologist can then use for their own purposes.

Question 2

Qual

Answer 2

Data that gives you a ‘feel’ for what it’s like…

Question 3

Quant

Answer 3

Data in numerical form

Question 4

Factors influencing choice of methods.

Time/money

Answer 4

Diff methods require you to spend less/more money.

Question 5

Factors influencing choice of methods.

Requirements of funding bodies.

Answer 5

Organisations such as businesses and research institutes may want the result to be set out in a specific form.

Question 6

Factors influencing choice of methods.

Subject matter.

Answer 6

Some methods are more difficult to use than others when attempting to investigate a particular group or study. E.g, may be more hard for a male to use PO when studying a group of females. E.g, Written Q’s are useless for studying the thoughts of those that can’t read.

Question 7

Ethical issues.

Informed consent.

Answer 7

Participants should have the right to refuse and should be informed of all relevant aspects of the research so that they can decide if it is the right decision to go through with participating in it.

Question 8

Ethical.

Withdrawal.

Answer 8

Participants should be made aware that they can withdraw. Use Milgram as an example. Reminded at frequent times.

Question 9

Ethical.

Vulnerable groups.

Answer 9

Researchers should give special care to those who are more vulnerable. E.g, old/young.

Question 10

Ethical.

Confidentiality/privacy.

Answer 10

Identity of research participants should be kept in secret, researchers should respect each participants privacy and personal information should be kept confidential.

Question 11

Ethical.

Effects on participants.

Answer 11

Researchers should be aware of the harmful effects of research on participants/try to prevent them.

Question 12

Ethical.

Deception.

Answer 12

E.g, covert PO. Gain trust - access to info.

Question 13

Theoretical

Validity.

Answer 13

Hugely important. Need to make sure accurate measurement. E.g, PO considered valid. Detailed info, trusted.

Question 14

Theoretical.

Reliability.

Answer 14

Consistent? If replicated, similar results? Can it be replicated. E.g, structure Qnnaire - reliable.

Question 15

Theoretical

Representativeness.

Answer 15

People you are interested in studying are fairly represented. E.g, if you wanted to study the effect of divorce on children, it would be impossible to talk to every child with divorced parents, so you would need a sample group.

Question 16

Methodological perspective.

Positivists

Answer 16

Prefer quant data. Tend to look for patterns of behaviour and view sociology as a science.

Question 17

Methodological perspective

Interpretivists.

Answer 17

Prefer Qual data. Tend to try and understand social actors meanings and they reject the view that sociology is a science.

Question 18

Primary data

Answer 18

Data collected by the sociologist themselves for their own purposes