Sociology - Research Methods

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    muntaha

    Cards (85)

    • what are the 6 research methods?
      ○ Questionnaires surveys
      ○ Interviews
      ○ Observation
      ○ Experiments
      ○ Statistics
      ○ Case studies
    • Define what questionnaires surveys.
      A list of written responses completed by a number of respondents
    • what are interviews?
      A researcher directly asking a series of questions in-person to one or more interviews
    • What is observation?
      The process of watching or closely monitoring someone or something
    • Define experiments.
      A method which aims to measure the effect (IV) something has on an outcome (DV)
    • Define statistics
      The collection and analysis of numerical data
    • What is a case studies?
      In-depth investigation of an individual, group or event
    • what are the two types of questionnaires?
      ○ In-person
      ○ Postal/Online
    • What are the types of interviews?
      ○ Unstructured
      ○ Semi-structered
      ○ Structered
      ○ Focus group
    • what are the four types of observation?
      ○ Covert
      ○ Overt
      ○ Participant
      ○ Non-participant
    • What are the types of statistics?
      ○ Official
      ○Non-official
    • what does in-person survery mean?
      Respondent completes questionnaires live infront of the researcher
    • What does Postal/Online survery mean?
      Respondent has to submit answers online or send questionnaires in post
    • What does unstructured interview mean?
      No pre-planned questions, free- flowing discussion
    • What is semi-structered interviews?
      List of questions prepared, but researcher can leave some out
    • What is structured interviews?
      Pre-planned questions, cannot deviate from them
    • What is a focus group interview?
      Small group of people interviews together on a topic
    • What does covert observation mean?
      Researcher is '<undercover', doesn't inform participants of thier intentions
    • What does overt observation mean?
      Researcher 'comes clean', the group is aware of the researcher
    • What is a participant observation?
      Researcher actively joins the group they are studying
    • What is a Non-participant observation?
      Observes from a distance and doesn't intervene
    • What is a Laboratory Experiment?
      Takes place in an artificial, highly controlled environment
    • What is a Field experiment?
      Takes place in a 'normal' , non-controlled environment (e.g home, work, school)
    • What is a Natural experiment?
      Researcher has little/ no control -naturally occurring
    • What is a Official statistics?
      Data collected by the government (ONs)
    • What is a Non-official statistics?
      Data collected by non-governmental charities and other places (e.g schools)
    • What are the advantages of In-person surveys?
      ○ Representative = Can reach large number of people, big samples
    • What are the disadvantages of In-person surverys?
      ○Validity = close-ended questions means lack of detail
    • What are the advantages of Postal/Online surverys?
      ○ Practical = cheap, easy, not time-consuming
    • What are the disadvantages of Postal/Online interviews?
      ○Representative = Low responsive rate
    • What is a disadvantage of Unstructured interviews?
      ○ Practical = time consuming takes a while to interview
    • What is an advantage of semi-structured interview?
      ○ Validity = Reseacher flexibility, able to ask in-depth questions
    • What is a disadvantage of semi-structered interview?
      ○ Representative = Only a small number can take part, not a quick process so a small sample
    • What is a advantage of structured interview?
      ○ Reliability = Same interview repeated several times
    • What is a disadvantage of structured interview?
      ○ Validity = Sensitive topics, people may not want to talk about a painful experience
    • What is a advantage of a focus group?
      ○ Validity = interviewees may fell comfortable with the group and answer honestly
    • What is a disadvantage of a focus group?
      ○ Validity = Hawthorne effect,, peer pressure, embarrassment leads to dishonest answers
    • What is an advantage of covert observation?
      ○ Validty = participant do not know they are being observed so act honestly
    • What is a disadvantage of covert observation?
      ○ Ethical = Participants are not asked for consent
    • What is an advantage of overt observation?
      ○ Ethical = NO Ethical issues, parti are asked for consent
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