Topic 1: Choosing a Research Method

Question 1

Primary Data

Answer 1

Data collected by yourself

Question 2

Secondary Data

Answer 2

Data that already exists

Question 3

Quantitative Data

Answer 3

Statistical / numerical data

Question 4

Qualitative Data

Answer 4

Feelings / thoughts / interpretations

Question 5

Positivsts

Answer 5

Seek to discover cause and effect relationships using quantitative data

Question 6

Interpretivists

Answer 6

Seek to understand individual’s meanings using qualitative data

Question 7

Validity

Answer 7

Method producing a true or genuine picture of what something is really like

Question 8

Reliability

Answer 8

Method where when repeated by another researcher produces the exact same results

Question 9

Representative

Answer 9

Whether or not the people we study are the typical cross-section of group we are interested in

Question 10

Operationalising Concepts

Answer 10

Taking an abstract concept and turning it into something that can be measured

Question 11

What are the factors influencing choice of method?

Answer 11

P ractical
E thical
T heoretical

Question 12

What are the practical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 12

T ime
R esearch opportunity
A ccess
M oney
P ersonality and skills of researcher

Question 13

What are the ethical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 13

D eception
R ight to withdraw
I nvasion of privacy / anonymity
P rotection of vulnerable / consent

Question 14

What are the theoretical issues a researcher might face?

Answer 14

P ositivists
I nterpretivists
Q uantitative
Q ualitative