The process of research & Sampling techniques LT2

Question 1

What are the processes of research ?

Answer 1

1. Formulating an aim or hypothesise
2. Operationalising concept
3. The pilot study
4. Sampling

Question 2

Primary data

Answer 2

information collected by the sociologist themselves

Question 3

secondary data

Answer 3

Information that has been collected by someone else, but the sociologist can use

Question 4

Random sampling

Answer 4

When every person in a target population has an equal chance of being selected in the sample. This can be achieved by picking names out of a hat.

Question 5

What is an example of random sampling ?

Answer 5

Rosenthal and Jacobson teachers were given a list of students who score in the top 20% however the teachers did not know the students were randomly selected.

Question 6

Systematic sampling

Answer 6

where every Nth person in a sampling frame is selected

Question 7

What is an example of systematic sampling ?

Answer 7

Willmott and Young sample of Bethnal Green families every 36th name on the register.

Question 8

Advantages to Random and systematic sampling

Answer 8

. Relatively easy to carry out
. Ensurers equal chance
. Eliminates researchers bias

Question 9

Disadvantages of random and systematic sampling

Answer 9

. large sample to ensure its representative
. Can be unrepresentative

Question 10

Quota

Answer 10

Before researcher is carried out the researcher decides how many respondents of a particular type are required.

Question 11

What is an example of a quota ?

Answer 11

Rubin et al: Carried out interviews to gauge the psychological of London bombing. They used a quota sampling to select individuals aged 18. The sets included sex age working status

Question 12

Advantage of Quotes

Answer 12

. Quick and cheap method

Question 13

Stratified sampling

Answer 13

Split the sample down into groups and select from these groups.

Question 14

What is an example of stratified sampling ?

Answer 14

Annual crime survey England and Wales

Question 15

Advantage of stratified sampling

Answer 15

. Effective as it allows the researcher to control the variables that are important to the research

Question 16

Disadvantage of stratified sampling

Answer 16

. It is complex and time consuming to identify sample

Question 17

snowball sampling

Answer 17

A non-representative technique that involves using personal contacts to build up a sample group. ‘Friend telling friend’.
E.g. Becker interviewed 50 marijuana users gathered participants from music industry.

Question 18

Advantages of snowball sampling

Answer 18

. Can allow access to sensitive and secretive groups.

Question 19

Disadvantages of snowball sampling

Answer 19

. Not representative as people who are included are apart of social contacts

Question 20

Opportunity sampling

Answer 20

A non-representative technique that involves selecting those who are conveniently available to research.

Question 21

Advantages of opportunity sampling

Answer 21

. Quick, cheap and easy
. No sampling frame is needed

Question 22

Disadvantages of opportunity sampling

Answer 22

. Sample is not representative