Research methods

Research Methods:

Primary data:

• Collected by yourself
• methods for gathering data is; social surveys, participant observation, experiements.
• Can gather precise infomation. Can be costly/ time consuming.

Secondary data:

• Collected by someone else
• Sources for data are; official statistics, documents
• Quicker/ cheaper method. May not provide exact relevant infomation.

Quantitive data:

• infomation in numerical form. e.g statistics
• large scale easy to quanitify
• can make generalisations

Qualitive data:

• Gives an indepth 'feel'
• provide rich insight into other persons experiences
• e.g partcipant observation

Factors influencing choice:

Practical Issues:

1) Time and money- large scale costs more money, well known proffessor have more access to resources than a student.

2) funding bodies-  May require results to be in a particular form, e.g the govenerment want GCSE results in statistical form.

3) Characteristics-  Different methods require different skills. e.g interviews need to have rapport and sensitivity.

4) Subject matter - May be harder to study certain groups with certain methods. e.g gangs with questionnaires.

5) Research opportunity - Can come unexpectantly so cant prepare certain methods such as questionnaires.

Ethical Issues:

1) informed consent

2)Confidentiality

3)Harm to participants - police interventions/ damage employment

4)…