Factors influencing choice of topic/method

• Considerations influencing choice of topic, method(s) and conduct of research

  • Theoretical
  • Practical
  • Ethical
• Factors influencing choice of research topic

  • Specialism/Personal Interest
  • Theoretical perspective of the Sociologist
  • Funding
  • Ethics and sensitivity
  • In vogue
• Specialism/Personal Interest


  Sociologists choose topics they are personally interested in and where their specialist skills lie
• Theoretical perspective of the Sociologist

  Feminist sociologists are interested in the systematic reproduction of inequality and oppression of women in society
• Feminist sociologist research


  • Ann Oakley researched the proportion of housework engaged in by married women
• Funding


  Academic organisations and the Government have a 'vested interest' in the results and can influence what topics are explored
• Ethics and sensitivity


  Some topics may be deterred from study because they pose too many ethical issues or are too sensitive
• In vogue


  Sociologists often choose to study topics that are 'current' issues as they are more likely to get funding
• Factors influencing choice of research method

  • Practical
  • Ethical
  • Theoretical
• Practical considerations


  The logistics of carrying out the research, affected by time, cost, and accessibility
• Practical issues with research methods

  • Large scale unstructured interviews are too time consuming and costly
  • Researcher cannot gain access to desired social group
• Ethical considerations


  Moral considerations of right and wrong, including informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, protection from harm, vulnerable groups, and deception
• Theoretical


  Links to perspectives in sociology (Functionalism, Marxism and Feminism)
• Positivism


  Assume that society has an objective factual reality that can be studied scientifically
• Positivist researchers


  • Prefer to use quantitative research methods to uncover patterns of human behaviour
  • i.e. closed questionnaires and structured interviews
• Interpretivism


  Reject the idea of an objective social reality: we construct reality through the meanings we create in our interactions with others
• Interpretivist researchers


  • Prefer to use qualitative research methods to uncover meaning behind human behaviour
  • i.e. participant observation, unstructured interviews