Approaches to social research

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  • Validity- Data is said to be valid if it is genuine, an accurate reflection of what is being studied. Does the data measure what it claims to measure? Demographic data is usually seen as valid, the number of births and deaths officially counted each year in England and Wales is close to the actual figure, few births or deaths go unreported or unrecorded. On the other hand, crime statistics collected by the police represent only some of the crimes committed, many crimes go unreported for a number of reasons, for this reason these figures are not regarded as valid.
  • Reliability- If a research study is repeated and similiar findings recorded, then the data and the method are seen as reliable. Some methods are easier to use in a standardised way than others, with the person collecting the data having less impact on the processes. Collecting information using a questionnaire is more consistent than if an interview is used, for example, in much the same way that a thermometer measures temperature…

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