topic 1

Created by

callula

Cards (10)

3 types of research
descriptive- gather info and increase knowledge about social world
explanatory- seeks to explain social phenomena
action- researcher actively involved in planning and introducing change
2 types of research sources
primary research- carry out own research and collect qualitative or quantitative data
secondary research- existing data, qualitative and quantitative data and no method needed
qualitative data 
method develops understanding on humans and social science to find out the way they think or feel
quantitative data 
statistical, logical and mathematical techniques
practical issues 
time, cost, access
ethical issues
anonymity
confidentiality
protection from harm
issue of informed consent
theoretical issues 
validity- find out what you intend
hawthorne effect- act different cause know being studied
reliability- ability to repeat piece of research and get same results
generalisabilty- apply findings and results to people that weren't directly in your study
factors influencing choice of topic 
sociologists perspective- marx, func, new right etc
practical factors- professor more access to research funds than student
societies values- may influence focus on research
funding bodies- research requires funding, since others are paying they can choose topic or how it's done which can determine method
research process
develop aims or hypothesis
select sample
carry out pilot studies
collect data
analyse data
evaluate project
sampling methods 
stratified- make sample representative. divide sample frame to smaller groups eg age, class. individuals drawn randomly from groups
random- equal chance of being selected
snowball- appropriate set of participants chosen and new ones recruited through them, often useful when studying specific subculture
systematic- small group chosen, hope to represent larger group, people chose through algorithm
opportunity- sign up
quota- look for characteristic