Sociology — research methods

• What is the date mentioned in the study material?

  Monday 27 November 2023
• Why is research central to sociology?

  It helps to understand and explain the social world, providing insights beyond ordinary perception.
• What do research methods provide sociologists?

  A way to collect, analyze, and interpret data.
• What can sociologists establish after gathering data?

  Correlations and cause-and-effect relationships.
• What is the purpose of developing theories in sociology?

  To explain findings and suggest improvements for society.
• What are the two types of data in sociology?

  • Qualitative data: In-depth and meaningful insights.
  • Quantitative data: Numerical data that can be statistically analyzed.
• What is primary data in sociology?

  Data collected by sociologists themselves for their own purposes.
• What is secondary data in sociology?

  Data that has been collected by someone else for their own purposes, which sociologists may then use.
• What does correlation mean in sociology?

  When one situation tends to occur alongside another.
• Provide an example of correlation in sociology.

  Attendance to college directly impacts achievement.
• What is a causal relationship in sociology?

  When one variable is seen as causing another.
• What are the theoretical approaches to research in sociology?

  • Positivism: Views sociology as a science, focusing on objective facts and macro theories.
  • Interpretivism: Sees sociology as subjective, focusing on individual meanings and micro theories.
• What does positivism emphasize in sociology?

  It emphasizes a scientific approach to research and the existence of objective social facts.
• What is the focus of interpretivism in sociology?

  It seeks to understand people's meanings and experiences through social interactions.
• What is macro theory in sociology?

  A theory that looks at society as a whole and large-scale data.
• What is micro theory in sociology?

  A theory that examines small-scale interactions between individuals and society.
• What does postmodernism suggest about reality?

  It believes that nothing is fixed and that we pick and choose our realities.
• What is a key difference between positivism and interpretivism?

  Positivism views sociology as a science, while interpretivism sees it as socially constructed through interactions.
• What does reliability mean in research?

  It refers to the ability to repeat research and obtain similar results.
• What does validity mean in research?

  It indicates that the data reflects life and provides an authentic picture of what is being studied.
• What does representativeness mean in research?

  It refers to whether the sample used represents the whole population.
• What is generalizability in research?

  It is the ability to apply findings to the wider research population.
• What is the research process in sociology?

  1. Define the research question.
  2. Choose a sampling method.
  3. Collect data.
  4. Analyze data.
  5. Interpret findings.
  6. Report results.
• What is sampling in research?

  It is the process of selecting a subset from a larger population for study.
• What are respondents in research?

  They are the individuals selected to provide data for the study.
• What does the term 'proportion' refer to in sampling?

  It refers to the ratio of selected individuals to the total population.
• What is the significance of choosing a sampling method?

  It affects the reliability and validity of the research findings.
• What is the role of data analysis in research?

  It involves interpreting the collected data to draw conclusions.
• What does reporting results entail in research?

  It involves sharing the findings with the relevant audience.
• What date is mentioned in the study material?

  Wednesday 29 November 2023
• What does PET stand for in the context of research methods?

  • PET stands for "Practical, Ethical, and Theoretical" considerations in research methods.
• What does the term "concerned with the actual doing or use of something" refer to in research methods?

  It refers to the practical aspect of research methods.
• What moral principles are mentioned in the study material?

  The moral principles of right and wrong.
• What can happen if moral principles are not upheld in sociology research?

  Failure to uphold these can damage the Sociology discipline.
• How does one's view of society affect research methods?

  It affects views on the best way to study society.
• Which perspective prefers objective methods in research?

  The positivist perspective.
• What type of data do positivists prefer to produce?

  Large scale quantitative data.
• What is the purpose of producing quantitative data in positivist research?

  To establish cause and effect and social facts.
• What does "verstehen" mean in the context of research methods?

  It means gaining detailed understanding from someone else's perspective.
• Which group is more likely to use subjective methods in research?

  Feminists.