Sociology research methods

Question 1

Positivism

Answer 1

Positivist see the study of sociology much like other natural studies and that the way people behave is BECAUSE of their social structures

Question 2

4 strongly stressed research logic (positivist)

Answer 2

• Research should be carried out in controlled conditions
• research should be objective and value free
• research should be reliable
• mainly quantative/statistics

Question 3

Correlations

Answer 3

Correlations are the sociologists version of ‘cause and effect relationship’ and they relate the social factors (being female=higher grades)

Question 4

Interpretivism

Answer 4

Interpretivists use qualitative data, and believe people have a choice in society and they shape it around themselves

Question 5

Verstehen

Answer 5

The idea of understanding human behaviour by putting yourself in the position of those being studies, and trying to see things from their point of view

Question 6

Realism

Answer 6

Middle point between P and I. They use both qualitative and quantitive data to make up for the weakness’ of each method ( triangulation )

Question 7

Paradigm

Answer 7

The world view that underpins the theory and methodology of a particular scientific subject

Question 8

Operationalising concepts

Answer 8

A concept is an abstract idea or theory, by operationalising it we turn it into something that can be measured.

Question 9

Practical influences on sociologists choice of method:

Answer 9

• Source of funding
• The cost of research
• Size of the research team
• Timescale
• The people who are being researched

Question 10

Ethical influences in choice of method in sociologists research

Answer 10

• Research should be based on informed consent from correspondent
• It should not affect the well being of the subjects
• Subjects should be given guaranteed anonymity
• Researchers must perform their duties in a professional and competent manner
• They must consider the use that may be made of their findings
• Research should not include an intrusion of privacy

Question 11

Reliable research:

Answer 11

Is standardised and can be repeated accurately;

Question 12

Internal reliability

Answer 12

Whether findings are consistent within the study, have subjects been consistent in their responses ?

Question 13

External reliability

Answer 13

Whether findings are consistent over time

Question 14

Valid research

Answer 14

Is true to life and in depth, research can only claim to be valid if it is an honest portrayal of the meanings, feelings and qualities of those being studied

Question 15

Target population

Answer 15

The name given to the group of people being studied

Question 16

Representative sample

Answer 16

• Random sampling (ex. Names picked out of a hat)
• Systematic sample (ex. Chosen from a register)
• Stratified sample (representative characteristics ex. Asian)
• Cluster sample (sampling frame unavailable, randomly chosen by areas or households)

Question 17

Non representative sampling

Answer 17

• Snowball sample (recommendation of word of mouth)

- Purposive sample (deliberate use of non representative people for the purpose of their research)

Question 18

Primary data

Answer 18

Data collected by sociologist’ themselves, they only exist because the sociologist has collected them.

Question 19

Secondary data

Answer 19

Secondary data is data that already exists and the sociologist carrying out the research has not gathered himself

Question 20

Advantages of secondary data

Answer 20

• Data is readily available in an accessible form
• Usually free or cheap
• Historical documents are sometimes necessary
• Practical reasons may necessitate the use of secondary sources (long distances target populations)
• Specific secondary sources have their own value (personal documents offer high validity)

Question 21

Disadvantages of secondary sources

Answer 21

• Data may have been collected for different purposes
• There may be errors or biases with the data
• Quantitative data is subject to social construction
• Some documents are false

Question 22

Social construction

Answer 22

A perception of an individual, group or idea that is constructed through cultural or social practice

Question 23

Types of secondary sources

Answer 23

• Media content analysis
• Official publications and statistics
• Oral history
• Documents

Question 24

Oral history

Answer 24

Involves interviewing ordinary people about their personal experiences .

Question 25

Content analysis

Answer 25

Break down of the content of media messages into particular categories

Question 26

Semiology

Answer 26

Interpreting images or language in the media in order to uncover cultural or ideological messages

Question 27

Formal content analysis

Answer 27

Quantitative approach based on the sociologists search for particular categories (ex. percentage of sexism in the news)

Question 28

Thematic analysis

Answer 28

Focuses on in depth reporting of specific themes. Aims to uncover journalist assumptions

Question 29

Textual analysis

Answer 29

Focuses on the language of news reporters and other media to see whether it reflects an ideological position

Question 30

Audience analysis

Answer 30

Involves the researcher using any other content analysis or combining them, checking with the audience in order to confirm their social interpretation

Question 31

Advantages of official statistics

Answer 31

• Important for planning and evaluating social policy
• Frequently the only available source of data in the area
• Readily available and cheap to use
• Comprehensive in coverage
• Cover a long time span
• Allow intergroup and international comparisons
• Provide a good background information when identifying what to study
• Avoid all ethical issues

Question 32

Limitations of official statistics

Answer 32

• They are collected for administrative purposes rather than sociological research
• Produced by the state; statistics may be ‘massaged’ for the benefit of the government
• Interpretivists argue that statistics are not objective facts but social constructions