choosing research method

• What do sociologists use to obtain data about society?

  A wide variety of different methods
• How can sociological methods be classified?

  • Primary and secondary sources of data
  • Quantitative and qualitative data
• What is primary data?

  Information collected by sociologists themselves
• What are the purposes of collecting primary data?

  To obtain a first-hand picture or test a hypothesis
• What are methods for gathering primary data?

  • Social surveys
  • Participant observation
  • Experiments
• What do social surveys involve?

  Asking people questions in questionnaires or interviews
• What is participant observation?

  The sociologist joins in with the group's activities
• How often do sociologists use laboratory experiments?

  Rarely
• What is a big advantage of using primary data?

  Sociologists can gather precise information
• What is a disadvantage of using primary data?

  It can be costly and time-consuming
• What is secondary data?

  Information collected by someone else
• What are some sources of secondary data?

  Official statistics, documents, and articles
• What is an advantage of using secondary data?

  It can be quick and cheap to use
• What is a disadvantage of using secondary data?

  It may not provide the needed information
• What are the two kinds of data sociologists use?

  • Quantitative data
  • Qualitative data
• What does quantitative data refer to?

  Information in numerical form
• What does qualitative data provide?


  A 'feel' for what something is like
• How does participant observation contribute to qualitative data?

  It gives a sense of group membership experience
• What do in-depth interviews aim to achieve?

  Insight into a person's feelings and experiences
• What are the four categories of research activities?

  Field experiments, paintings, exam tables, divorce statistics
• What factors influence the choice of research methods?

  • Practical issues
  • Ethical issues
  • Theoretical issues
• What are practical issues in choosing research methods?

  • Time and money
  • Access to resources
  • Requirements of funding bodies
• How do time and money affect research method choice?

  Different methods require varying amounts of both
• Why might large-scale surveys be costly?

  They require many interviewers and staff
• How can a researcher's access to resources influence method choice?

  More resources allow for more complex methods
• Who might have more access to research funds?

  A well-known professor
• What are the strengths and limitations of different research methods?

  Strengths:

  • Provide specific data
  • Can be cost-effective

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Time-consuming
  • May not align with sociological questions
• What do positivists prefer in research methods?

  Scientific, quantifiable data
• Why do interpretivists value qualitative data?

  It provides in-depth meaning of small groups
• How do practical issues affect research methods?

  They determine time, money, and access
• What practical issue relates to time in research methods?

  Some methods take more time than others
• How does time affect sample size in research?

  More time may lead to a smaller sample size
• What is a financial consideration in research methods?

  Money affects researchers and respondents
• How does access impact research methods?

  Some groups are easier to access than others
• What is informed consent in research?

  Consent from subjects about research effects
• Why is confidentiality important in research?

  Subjects have a right to anonymity
• Which groups are more vulnerable to psychological harm?

  Children and sensitive populations
• What does reliability in research mean?

  Results can be repeated with similar outcomes
• What methods do positivists use for reliable research?

  Questionnaires and structured interviews
• What is representativeness in research methods?

  Sample group reflects wider population characteristics