research methods 1

• What is primary data?

  Data collected by sociologists themselves through methods like questionnaires, interviews, and observations.
• What is an advantage of using primary data?

  It allows sociologists to collect data on exactly what they want to investigate.
• What is a disadvantage of using primary data?

  It is more time-consuming to collect.
• What is secondary data?

  Data that already exists and can be used by sociologists, such as official statistics and reports.
• What is an advantage of using secondary data?

  It is a quick and cheap way of doing research since someone else has already collected the data.
• What is a disadvantage of using secondary data?


  It may not provide the exact information the sociologist needs.
• What is quantitative data?

  Information in numerical form, such as statistics on exam results.
• What is an advantage of using quantitative data?

  It provides a general overview and patterns, allowing for comparisons.
• What is a disadvantage of using quantitative data?

  Response may be limited and lack detail.
• What is qualitative data?

  Information that is descriptive, such as quotes from interviews and written sources.
• What is an advantage of using qualitative data?

  It provides a more in-depth picture of social life than quantitative data.
• What is a disadvantage of using qualitative data?

  It may be difficult to generalize and find overall patterns.
• What are practical issues in sociological research?

  • Issues with carrying out research
  • Can cause physical problems
  • Examples: cost, time needed, access to groups, skills of researcher
• What are ethical issues in sociological research?

  • Moral issues of right and wrong
  • Guidelines set by the British Sociological Association
  • Key points: informed consent, avoid deception, right to withdraw, confidentiality, protect from harm, privacy, debrief
• What are theoretical issues in sociological research?

  • Questions about society's nature
  • Affect the choice of research methods
  • Influence sociologists' perspectives on society
• What is positivism in sociological research?

  A macro approach that uses quantitative methods to uncover patterns of cause and effect in society.
• What do positivists prefer in their research methods?

  They prefer structured questionnaires and lab experiments for collecting reliable and representative data.
• What is the assumption of positivists about society?


  They assume that society has an objective factual reality that influences its members.
• What is interpretivism in sociological research?

  A micro approach that argues human behavior is too complex to be reduced to cause and effect patterns.
• What do interpretivists prefer in their research methods?

  They prefer qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and participant observation.
• What do interpretivists reject about reality?


  They reject the idea of an objective factual reality, believing we construct reality through interactions.
• What is reliability in sociological research?

  A reliable method produces the same results when repeated.
• What is validity in sociological research?

  A valid method produces a true or genuine picture of what something is really like.
• What are the steps in the research process for sociologists?

  1. Choosing a topic or method
  2. Formulating an aim/hypothesis
  3. Operationalising concepts
  4. Conducting a pilot study
  5. Sampling the population
• What is a target population in sociological research?

  The entire group a researcher is interested in studying.
• What is a sample in sociological research?


  The group of people contacted to take part in research.
• Who are respondents in sociological research?

  Those who agree to take part in the research.
• What does it mean for a sample to be representative?

  It accurately reflects the characteristics of the target population.
• What is generalisability in sociological research?

  It means the findings can be used to make general assumptions about different groups.
• What are the types of sampling methods in sociological research?

  1. Random Sampling
  2. Systematic Sampling
  3. Stratified Sampling
  4. Snowball Sampling
  5. Volunteer Sampling
• What is random sampling?


  It involves selecting names at random from the sampling frame, giving every member an equal chance of being selected.
• What is systematic sampling?


  It is a variation of random sampling where every nth person is chosen from a list.
• What is stratified sampling?


  It involves dividing the population according to certain criteria and taking proportionate samples from each grouping.
• What is snowball sampling?


  It involves finding one individual who then puts the researcher in touch with others, often used for hard-to-reach populations.
• What is volunteer sampling?

  It involves inviting individuals to take part in a study.
• What is the primary purpose of questionnaires?

  To collect primary data from large numbers of people in a statistical form
• What are the two most common methods for carrying out surveys?

  Questionnaires and structured interviews
• How do questionnaires typically collect responses from participants?

  They can be posted, emailed, or completed on the spot
• What type of data do questionnaires usually collect?

  Quantitative data, but they can also collect qualitative data
• What are the two main types of questions used in questionnaires?

  • Closed questions:
  • Limited number of options
  • Find out 'what' rather than 'why'
  • Collect quantitative data
  • Open questions:
  • Allow respondents to answer freely
  • Find out 'why'
  • Collect qualitative data