Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

A Level Sociology > Theory And Methods (1+3) > Flashcards

Theory And Methods (1+3) Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the Research Process

A

1) make observation
2) develop hypothesis
3) choose method
4) develop procedure
5) collect data
6) analyse data
7) draw conclusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Define primary data

A

Present time data, researched by the individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the benefits of primary data?

A

Accurate+reliable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the negatives of primary data?

A

Expensive and time consuming

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Define secondary data

A

Data that already exists, and is completed by somebody else

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the benefits of secondary data?

A

Cheaper, less time consuming

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the negatives of secondary data?

A

Inaccurate, no control how data is produced

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Define quantitative data

A

Numerical data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the advantages of quantitative data?

A

Useful for statistical analysis
Positivists prefer it as it is more objective and scientific
Reveals trends and correlations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the negatives of quantitative data?

A

Interpretivists - doesn’t give real picture of society

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Define qualitative data

A

Non numerical, exists as text

Explores motivations and emotions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the benefits of qualitative data?

A

Interpretivists - more valid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the negatives of qualitative data?

A

Avoided by positivists- difficult to analyse systematically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define target population

A

Everyone the researcher would like to generalise findings to

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define sample

A

Subset of target population being studied

Can be random or intentional

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define informed consent

A

Aims and procedures are fully explained to participant and they agree to be a part of the research

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the practical issues that can affect choice of methods and sources?

A

Time
Money
Access
Researchers characteristics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How can time effect the choice of methods and sources?

A

More in-depth the method, longer it takes

Primary research takes longer than secondary sources

19
Q

How can money effect the choice of methods and sources

A

More in-depth the method, more expensive
Primary data costs more than secondary data
Gov more likely to fund quantitative over qualitative

20
Q

How can access effect choice of methods and sources

A

Some topics more difficult to access than others

21
Q

How can researchers characteristics affect choice of sources and methods

A

Family and work may prevent long term research

Some topics better suited to specific types of researchers

22
Q

What are the different types of sampling?

A 
Opportunity
Snowball
Volunteer
Random
Stratified 
Systematic 
Quota
23
Q

Define opportunity sampling

A

Researchers select participants based on availability (eg. asking pedestrians on the street)

24
Q

What are the benefits of opportunity sampling?

A

Quick
Easy
Practical

25
Q

What are the negatives of opportunity sampling?

A

Not representative

Can’t generalise

26
Q

Define snowball sampling

A

Finding participants by getting current participants to pass on the research

27
Q

What are the benefits of snowball sampling

A

Simple way to access large numbers of people

28
Q

What are the negatives of snowball sampling

A

Not representative of any identified target

29
Q

Define volunteer sampling

A

Where participants choose to joint the research

30
Q

What are the benefits of volunteer sampling?

A

Simple and cheap

31
Q

What are the negatives of volunteer sampling

A

Won’t generate representative sample

32
Q

Define random sampling

A

Participants selected at random from a list or generated from a computer

33
Q

What are the benefits of random sampling

A

Representative sample

34
Q

What are the negatives of random sampling?

A

Time consuming

Subject to bias

35
Q

Define stratified sampling

A

Sampling frame divided into various social groups and then randomly selected

36
Q

What are the benefits of stratified sampling

A

More precision in sample
Smaller
Cheaper

37
Q

What are the negatives of stratified sampling

A

More administrative effort

More complex

38
Q

Define systematic sampling

A

Researcher selects every nth person

Nth person selected by target population divided by desired sample size

39
Q

What are the benefits of systematic sampling

A

Representative

40
Q

What are the negatives of systematic sampling

A

Some social groups could be over/under represented

41
Q

Define quota sampling

A

Participants selected based on fixed standards

42
Q

What are the benefits of quota sampling

A

Quick and easy

43
Q

What are the negatives of quota sampling?

A

Can’t make statistical inferences from sample to population.

A Level Sociology (5 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions