Sociological method key definitions

Question 1

Triangulation

Answer 1

The combining of research methods, to check or verify the validity of the research findings

Question 2

Unstructured interview (informal)

Answer 2

A guided conversation, in which the interview remains casual, but the interviewer ensures the research topic is discussed

Question 3

Covert observation

Answer 3

Those being observed are unaware of the researcher’s presence

Question 4

Interview schedule

Answer 4

A list, containing a set of structured questions to serve as a guide for interviewers

Question 5

Methodological pluralism

Answer 5

Combining different research methods, to build up a fuller picture of what is being studied

Question 6

Focus group interview

Answer 6

A form of unstructured interview, in which participants are encouraged to talk to one another, to discuss an issue

Question 7

Demand characteristics

Answer 7

Any cues or hints from the researcher that might indicate the aim of a study to participants, meaning participants change their behaviour

Question 8

Structured interview

Answer 8

Involves the researcher reading out a list of closed questions from an interview schedule and writing down answers based on pre-set categories

Question 9

Interview bias

Answer 9

The values of the researcher interfere with the results of an interview

Question 10

Participant observation

Answer 10

Involves the researcher fully immersing themselves into the group they wish to study

Question 11

Impression management

Answer 11

The attempt to manipulate the thoughts of others (e.g. wanting people to believe you are something you are not)

Question 12

Non response

Answer 12

Those who are unwilling to participate in a study

Question 13

Official statistics

Answer 13

Numerical data collected by the government (usually carried out by surveys for the ONS)

Question 14

Content analysis

Answer 14

Analysing media reports, to calculate the frequency of a theme, word, image, etc

Question 15

Ethnography

Answer 15

Writing about the culture, or way of life of social groups (obtained through unstructured interviews, and participant observation)

Question 16

Overt observation

Answer 16

Those being observed are aware they are being watched by the researcher

Question 17

Non-participant observation

Answer 17

The observer is detached from the group, and plays no active role in the activity being observed

Question 18

Social survey

Answer 18

Involves a systematic collection, of mainly quantitative data from a large number of people (obtained through questionnaires and structured interviews)

Question 19

Questionnaires

Answer 19

A list of pre-prepared questions, that are given to a respondent for self-completion

Question 20

Unofficial statistics

Answer 20

Quantitative data collected by non-government sources

Question 21

Semi-structured interviews

Answer 21

A mix of structured and non-structured interviews- contain many closed questions, and a few open questions

Question 22

Group interviews

Answer 22

Unstructured interviews, carried out in a group, rather than individually