GCSE sociology research methods

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  • Created by: ariana123
  • Created on: 13-04-17 19:37

QUESTIONNAIRES

Open question- a type of question where respondents are free to answer the question in any way they like

Self-completion questionnaires- respondent complete questionnaires by themselves

Closed question- a type of question where a respondent is presented with a list of options or a two-way choice and have to select the response with which they most agree

Standardised questions- all respondents are asked the same questions in the same order. This allows comparisons to be made.

Statistics- data represented in numerical form as percentage

Quantitative data- a type of data that is represented by numbers

Qualitative data- a type of data that is represented by letters

ADVANTAGE AND WHY?

  • Questionnaires are completed anonymously. It is safe to stay anonymous as stranger would not know you identity
  • No face to face contact with the interviewer. If you don’t understand a question. You can ask people around you. No influence from the interviewer and no intimidation
  • Standardised questions. The answers are more reliable and is easier to compare answers
  • Quick.Allow respondents to respond quickly. You could get more people responding to your questionnaires
  • Cheaper. Don’t have to spend a lot of money or it could be free
  • Access. Easy as you can access everyone. 

  • Not time-consuming. Less time is needed.

  •  Quantitative Data. Easier to analyse

DISADVANTAGE AND WHY?

  • Respondents might misread or misunderstood the question. You get invalid data
  • skills. Too be able to ask the right question.
  • Low response rate- not everyone that you want to participate in your research may do so

OBSERVATIONS

Overt- when the group being studied know that they are being observed

Participant- when the researcher joins the group that is being studied and take part in what they are doing

Non-participant- when the researcher just watches the group that is being studied. Not getting involved

Observer effect- changes the attitude and behaviour of the group that is being studied. This means that the observer does not see the natural behaviour of the group

Objectivity- studying topics and people with an open mind

ADVANTAGES AND WHY?

  • Rapport. Build a rapport. This could get you valid data.
  • Access. Access to situation where interviews and questionnaires are impossible or inappropriate to use

DISADVANTAGES AND WHY?

  • Skills. You need certain type if skill like acting, brave…

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