Sociology- research methods

• Qualitative Research Methods


  Interviews, Focus Groups, Observations
• Quantitative Research Methods


  Surveys, Experiments, Content Analysis
• Bias in Sociology Research


  Confirmation, Hindsight, Anchoring, Availability, Stereotyping, Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, Selection, Social Desirability, Interviewer, Data Collection
• Advantages of Case Studies

  Rich Data, Contextual Understanding, Theory Development, Flexibility
• Limitations of Case Studies

  Limited Generalizability, Resource-Intensive, Subjectivity
• Types of Case Studies

  Exploratory Case Study, In-Depth Case Study, Comparative Case Study
• Research Design in Case Studies

  Case Selection, Methods, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Draw Conclusions
• What types of research methods do sociologists use to collect data about society?

  Quantitative and qualitative, primary and secondary research methods
• What are the main types of research methods mentioned in the study material?

  Social surveys, experiments, unstructured interviews, participant observation, secondary qualitative data, and official statistics
• What is the purpose of the "Research Methods at a Glance – Key Concepts" section?

  • Provides simple explanations of key terms
  • Includes terms such as validity, reliability, representativeness, Positivism, and Interpretivism
• Why are research methods essential in sociology?

  Without research methods, there is no sociology
• What factors influence the choice of research methods in sociology?

  • Theoretical factors
  • Ethical factors
  • Practical factors
  • Nature of the research topic
• What is the distinction between Positivism and Interpretivism in sociology?

  Positivists prefer quantitative methods, while Interpretivists prefer qualitative methods
• What is the focus of the "Stages of Social Research" section?

  Research design, operationalising concepts, sampling, pilot studies, data collection, and data analysis
• What are social surveys used for in sociological research?

  To collect data through questionnaires and structured interviews
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of social surveys?

  Advantages:

  • Preferred by positivists
  • Good for simple topics

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Not suitable for complex topics requiring a human touch
• What is the definition of a laboratory experiment in sociology?

  A controlled experiment conducted in a lab setting
• Why do sociologists generally avoid laboratory experiments?


  They are not commonly used in sociology
• What is a field experiment in sociology?

  An experiment conducted in real-life social settings
• What are longitudinal studies designed to explore?


  Changes over a long period of time
• What is the purpose of primary qualitative research methods?

  To allow respondents to speak for themselves and yield valid data
• What is participant observation in sociological research?


  Researchers take part in the life of respondents to understand their perspective
• What are the strengths and limitations of covert participant observation?

  Strengths:

  • Can provide in-depth insights

  
  

  Limitations:

  • Ethical issues of deception
  • Difficulty in obtaining funding
• What are official statistics in sociology?

  Numerical data collected by the government
• What is the significance of cross-national comparisons in sociology?

  They provide insight into the causes of social problems across countries
• What is univariate analysis in quantitative social research?

  • Involves looking at one variable at a time
  • Covers strengths and limitations of various graphical representations like bar charts, pie charts, and box plots
• What are secondary qualitative data in sociology?

  Data derived from private and public documents
• What are personal documents in social research?

  Documents such as diaries and letters not intended for public viewing
• How are autobiographies viewed as sources of data in sociology?


  They are popular but their usefulness can vary
• What types of charts are discussed in the post regarding their strengths and limitations?

  Bar charts, pie charts, and box plots
• What is the difference between public and private documents in secondary qualitative data analysis?

  Public documents are produced for an audience, while private documents are personal and not intended for others
• What are examples of public documents in sociology?

  Government reports and newspapers
• What are examples of private documents in sociology?

  Diaries and letters
• What does content analysis in social research involve?

  It involves formal content (quantitative) analysis and semiology
• Why are autobiographies popular with the British public in social research?

  They provide personal insights and narratives
• What is the focus of the class notes on field experiments applied to education?

  They analyze whether Chinese teaching methods are the best
• What is the main method used in participant observation in education according to the notes?

  It focuses on the work of Paul Willis and Mac An Ghail
• What is the significance of OFSTED inspections in non-participant observation in education?

  They are the most commonly used methods in education
• What does the post on the strengths and limitations of education statistics discuss?

  It discusses that results statistics may not be as valid as one might think
• What types of documents may sociologists use to research education?

  School promotional literature, policy documents, and personal messages between students