research methods

• What is the aim in sociological research?

  A general statement about what a sociologist expects to find out in research
• What does a hypothesis represent in sociological research?

  A prediction about what the sociologist expects they will find in research
• What is the purpose of a pilot study?

  To carry out a small test-run of a study to check for any problems
• What does sampling refer to in research?

  How participants are chosen to take part in a study
• What is primary data?

  Data which is collected first hand by the researchers
• What is secondary data?

  Data that already exists and is used by the researcher
• How is quantitative data characterized?

  Data which is in the form of numbers
• How is qualitative data characterized?

  Data which is NOT in the form of numbers and tends to be visual or in letters
• What does validity refer to in research?

  The accuracy of the findings – how truthful the data is
• What does reliability refer to in research?

  How consistent the findings are across repeated studies
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires in research?

  Advantages:

  • Participants are likely to be honest as anonymous
  • Can be given to a large sample for more representation

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Participants may not understand the questions
  • May not be honest as they want to appear desirable
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews?

  Advantages:

  • Can compare responses easily between participants
  • Less likely to be biased due to set questions

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May not get full detail or deep understanding
  • Cannot ask additional questions
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of unstructured interviews?

  Advantages:

  • Can get full detail and deep understanding
  • Can build rapport for more honest responses

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May not get full detail or deep understanding
  • Cannot ask additional questions
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of group interviews?

  Advantages:

  • Can gain a variety of opinions
  • May be more honest due to group support

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Some participants might dominate the interview
  • Participants might feel embarrassed to be honest
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of participant observation?

  Advantages:

  • May understand behavior more by joining in
  • Can ask questions to help with research

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Could be biased due to involvement
  • Difficult to accurately note behavior
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-participant observation?

  Advantages:

  • Less likely to be biased as not involved
  • Easier to note behavior accurately

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May not get full understanding of behavior
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of longitudinal studies?

  Advantages:

  • Can look at the influence of different factors over time
  • Can gain detailed information about the group studied

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Participants may drop out of the study
  • Sample is likely to be small and not representative
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using official statistics?

  Advantages:

  • Often large sample sizes, more representative
  • Easy to analyze and compare over time

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May not give reasons for behavior
  • May not include all behaviors (e.g., crime statistics may ignore the dark figure)
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using documents as secondary data?

  Advantages:

  • Lots of detailed data as qualitative
  • Can find reasons behind behavior

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • May be small sample sizes and not representative
  • May be time-consuming to analyze
• What is random sampling?

  All participants have an equal chance of being chosen
• What is the advantage of random sampling?

  It is less biased and likely to be more representative
• What is the disadvantage of random sampling?

  It may not be fully representative if a biased selection occurs
• What is volunteer sampling?

  Participants choose or self-select to take part
• What is the advantage of volunteer sampling?

  It is easy to gain a sample and less likely to drop out
• What is the disadvantage of volunteer sampling?

  It may not be representative as only certain people will agree
• What is opportunity sampling?

  Participants who are available are chosen
• What is the advantage of opportunity sampling?

  It is easy to gain a sample
• What is the disadvantage of opportunity sampling?

  It may not be representative
• What is stratified sampling?

  Participants are chosen according to percentage in the population
• What is the advantage of stratified sampling?

  It is the most representative sampling method
• What is the disadvantage of stratified sampling?

  It is difficult for the researcher to implement
• What is triangulation in sociological research?

  • Using more than one method to gather information
  • E.g., using a questionnaire, interview, and observation
  • Aims to gain more data and check the validity of findings
  • Data may be difficult to compare due to different methods
• What is sociology?

  The study of society
• What is society?

  A social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and has the same political authority and expectations
• What is culture?

  The whole way of life of a group of people in society
• What are norms?

  They define appropriate and expected behavior in certain settings
• What are values?

  Ideas and beliefs that people have about what is desirable and worth striving for
• What is socialization?

  Learning the norms and values of your culture and society
• What is primary socialization?

  Socialization that takes place in early childhood, where basic behaviors and skills are learned
• What is secondary socialization?

  Socialization that takes place in later childhood and beyond