Session 2.1 - Social science methods Flashcards
Why is social research important?
-Increases confidence in answering questions about social life and patients
Give some examples of quantitative research methods
- RCTs, Case-control, cohort studies
- Questionnaires
Give 3 advantages of quantitative research methods
- Repeatable
- Good at measuring/defining causality and allowing comparisions
- Easy to analyse
State 3 disadvantages of quantitative research methods
- May force people into inappropriate categories
- Doesnt allow for individual expression
- May not access all the important information
What is the focus of quantitative research methods?
-Prove/disprove a hypothesis
What is the focus of qualitative research methods?
-Emphasise meaning, experience and views of the population
What is Observation and ethnography?
-A form of qualitative research which studies human behaviour in its natural context to observe their actions over what they say
What is the major disadvantage of observation and ethnography?
-Labour intensive
What type of research method are interviews?
-Qualitative
What are the advatages of interviews?
- Semi-structured with a clear agenda
- Participants perspective is explored
- Gains detailed focussed accouts
What is a disadvantage of interviews?
- Can get biased veiws
- Risk of not obtaining accurate information
Why are focus groups a good qualitative research method?
- Quick and flexible
- Access to collective understanding
- May encourage people to participate
What are the disadvatages of focus groups?
- Difficult to arrange
- Some topics too sensitive
- Not very useful for individual experiences -> may get those who dominate the group
What are the advantages of qualitative research methods?
- Understand patient perspective
- Gain more information
What are the disadvantages of qualitative research methods?
- Difficult to find consistent relationships between variables
- May not bet statistically representative of whole population if small sample size used
- Analysis is labour intensive
