Sociological Research: An Introduction

Question 1

Define ‘primary data’.

Answer 1

Data that is gathered by the researcher themselves.

Question 2

Define ‘secondary data’.

Answer 2

Data which already exists that a researcher uses.

Question 3

Define ‘quantitative data’.

Answer 3

Data that can be expressed numerically.

Question 4

Define ‘qualitative data’.

Answer 4

Data that is linked with words through opinions and beliefs.

Question 5

Define ‘reliability’.

Answer 5

The degree to which a piece of research can be accurately replicated, producing the same results.

Question 6

Define ‘validity’.

Answer 6

The degree to which a piece of research is presenting a true measure of what it set out to find.

Question 7

Define ‘representativeness’.

Answer 7

The degree to which the findings can be generalised to the wider population.

Question 8

List the 5 practical factors that need to be considered when carrying out a research method.

Answer 8

1) Time
2) Location
3) Costs
4) Laws
5) Usefulness of research

Question 9

List the 4 ethical factors that need to be considered when carrying out a research method.

Answer 9

1) Protection from harm
2) Consent
3) Deception
4) Confidentiality

Question 10

What are the 2 theoretical factors of a research method?

Answer 10

1) Positivism

2) Interpretivism

Question 11

What 2 things do Positivists value in a piece of research?

Answer 11

1) Quantitative data - Reliability

2) Representativeness

Question 12

What things do Interpretivists value in a piece of research?

Answer 12

1) Qualitative data - Validity

2) Focused on individuals

Question 13

Give 3 examples of research methods Positivists often use.

Answer 13

1) Questionnaires
2) Structured interviews
3) Structured observations

Question 14

Give 3 examples of research methods Interpretivists often use.

Answer 14

1) Observations
2) Unstructured interviews
3) Ethnographic research