choosing research methods

• may be intrigued by a social problem. Asking questions is called problem raising. People often choose topics that are scarecely researched
• may be concerned about a social problem that needs a solution, referred to as problem solvers.
• the topic affects their own group or values, i.e Marxist, Feminist, or anti-racist
• may be paid by an organisation to conduct it

• what a socioloigst wants to find out determines the type of data they need to collect
• Quantative - positivist/scientific - exclude ireelevant variables. Questionnaires, interviews, observations, analysis of data. Relatively reliable as little personal input and other researchers can replicate study.
• Qualitative data more useful for feelings or reasons for behaviour. unstructured interviews, participant observation, examine personal documents
• rich and valid data as researcher took time to develop rapport, able to emphasise and fully understand respondents(verstehen)

time

• ethnography(long term observation+informal interviews) - structured observation faster
• must interview wide range of people to get representative sample
• time lag(waiting for questionnaires) important

cost

• 
  postage+travel

access

• gaining permission to research in some situations
• covert observation - being accepted by a group = being same sex and age+ native costume

danger

• covert risk exposing sociologist
• any method conducted with deviant groups needs to be considered carefully

exam tip

• memorise definition of reliable, valid, representative

• research may be rejected if ethical guidelines ignored
• participants given full informed consent. Makes covert studies quetionnable
• no participants harmed - physically or mentally
• participant confidentiality respected - no identification should be shown in publications
• law should not be broken or researchers should not be present when others are breaking law