Research Methods

• What is the definition of a research population?


  The research population refers to the whole group we are interested in.
• What is a sample in research?


  A sample is a smaller sub-group drawn from the wider group that we are interested in.
• What is a sampling frame?


  A sampling frame is the process of creating or selecting a sample.
• How might you operationalise the idea of 'social class'?


  You might use parental occupation to indicate a pupil's social class.
• What is operationalisation in research?


  Operationalisation converts a sociological concept into something we can measure.
• What is a hypothesis?


  A hypothesis is a possible explanation that could be tested by collecting evidence.
• Which research methods do positivists prefer?


  Positivists prefer structured interviews and questionnaires.
• Which research methods do interpretivists prefer?


  Interpretivists prefer unstructured interviews, participant observation, and personal documents.
• Do interpretivists see sociology as a science?


  No, interpretivists do not see sociology as a science.
• Do interpretivists prefer qualitative or quantitative data?


  Interpretivists prefer qualitative data.
• What does it mean if a method produces valid data?


  If a method produces valid data, it does not need another sociologist to get the same results.
• What is the definition of reliability in research?


  Reliability means a method remains the same when repeated by another sociologist.
• What is another word for reliability in research?


  Another word for reliability is replicability.
• What are three ethical issues that sociologists face in research?

  • Informed consent, especially in covert research.
  • Special care when researching vulnerable individuals, such as children.
  • Anticipating and preventing potential harm to the psychological state of subjects.
• What practical issues might affect a sociologist's choice of research method?


  The cost and the requirements of funding organizations may affect the choice of research method.
• Give an example of a qualitative primary method.


  An example of a qualitative primary method is interviews.
• Give an example of a quantitative secondary source.


  An example of a quantitative secondary source is official statistics.