Research Methods (Quantitative)

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Quantitative Research Methods
Questionnaires, Surveys, Interviews, Experiments, Comparative Research and Statistical Data
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Questionnaires (Nature)
They are a type of Social Survey with a list of pre-set questions to which the participants are asked to answer. There are two different types of questionnaire; open and closed.
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Questionnaire (Use)
They are used to obtain certain facts and information about people within society
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Questionnaire (Purpose)
Their purpose is to collect a large amount of quantitive data from a large sample of people, that can be easily analysed and repeated to ensure its validity.
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Types of Questionnaire
Open - long answered questions - and - Closed - Multiple choice questions.
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Practical Advantages Of Questionnaires
They're quick and easy to complete. Participants can take their time completing it and they can be done on the internet or through the post. They are cheap to set up and carry out.
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Ethical Advantages of Questionnaires
Participants can stay anonymous. If participants do not want to answer a certain question, they can leave it blank. There is less risk of interviewer bias.
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Theoretical Advantages of Questionnaires
Easy to analyse + compute and can be repeated + compared with other data - liked by positivists. Open-ended questions give the researcher more in-depth answers + participants may be more likely to give personal data if it is anonymous.
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Practical Disadvantages of Questionnaires
May be a low response rate as people may not want to complete or are busy The researcher isn't there to ask follow up questions - no access. Postal questionnaires may also be expensive.
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Ethical Disadvantages of Questionnaires
The participant may become confused by the questionnaire as the researcher cant explain it to them - no debrief!
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Questionnaires
Mainly used by positivists not interpretavists. Participants may not agree with options given for closed questions + they give limited info. Open-ended questions are hard to quantify + analyse. Validity is uncertain + Results can be manipulated.
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Surveys (Nature)
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Surveys (Use)
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Surveys (Purpose)
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Advantages of Surveys
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Disadvantages of Surveys
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Statistical Data (Nature)
This is any set f statistics produced by an organisation.
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Statistical Data (Use)
It is usually a form of secondary data and is used in addition to their research.
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Statistical Data (Purpose)
The purpose of this is to prove any conclusions the researcher has come up with and to show evidence to other research gathered.
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Practical Advantages of Statistical Data
It is usually cheap and not time consuming as it is a form of secondary data.
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Ethical Advantages of Statistical Data
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Theoretical Advantages of Statistical Data
Patterns + correlations are clear + easier to analyse. It can be re-used to check different variables + they are more generalised - large samples are taken. They can be used to check changes, which increase the reliability + validity of the research.
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Practical Disadvantages of Statistical Data
May be hard to access as its usually secondary data.
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Ethical Disadvantages of Statistical Data
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Statistical Data
Researcher cannot check the validity. As it is secondary data, it can be easily misunderstood. It is not objective as it can be manipulated by the researcher to show their point of view. This is usually quantitive data - mainly used by positivists.
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Comparitative Data (Nature)
This is whether the research collects data about different social groups + then compares one group with another in order to identify what is evident in one group but not another.
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Comparatitive Data (Use)
To detect the differences and similarities between different social groups.
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Comparatitive Data (Purpose)
Its purpose is to identify aspects of a social group that aren't present in another.
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Practical Advantages of Comparatitive Data
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Ethical Advantages of Comparatitive Data
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Theoretical Advantages of Comparatitive Data
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Practical Disadvantages of Comparatitive Data
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Ethical Disadvantages of Comparatitive Data
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Comparatitive Data
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Experiments (Nature)
This is a research project conducted with human subjects in the real world.
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Experiments (Use)
They are usually used to measure the effect that the inderpendent variable (cause) has on the dependent variable (Effect)
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Experiments (Purpose)
The purpose of experiments are to prove or disprove a hypothesis, theory or prediction.
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Types of Experiments
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Practical Advantages of Experiments
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Ethical Advantages of Experiments
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Theoretical Advantages of Experiments
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Practical Disadvantages of Experiments
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Ethical Disadvantages of Experiments
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Experiments
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Interviews
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Types of Interviews
Structured, Semi-Structured and Unstructured.
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Structured Interviews (Nature)
This is where the researcher asks the participant questions from a set of pre-coded questions.
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Structured Interviews (Use)
This form of research method is also a type if social survey + aims to find out facts and information from people within society. This is usually carried out in a formal environment with just one participant and the researcher.
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Structured Interviews (Purpose)
The purpose of this is to collect a large amount of qualitative data that is reliable and valid, where the participants answer all the required questions without going off topic.
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Semi-Structured Interviews (Nature)
These are the same as structured interviews, however, the interviewer can expand on answers given.
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Semi-Structured Interviews (Use)
These types of interviews are most commonly used as they gain the information needed whild being able to go into more detail based on certain answers the participant gives. These are also used to gain facts + information about people within society.
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Semi-Structured Interviews (Purpose)
The purpose of these types of interviews is to go into more depth about answers the respondent gives, therefore adding to their research + allowing the researcher to have a better understanding of the answers given.
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Practical Advantages of Structured Interviews
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Ethical Advantages of Structured Interviews
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Theoretical Advantages of Structured Interviews
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Practical Advantages of Semi-Structured Interviews
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Practical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews
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Ethical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Structured Interviews
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Practical Disadvantages of Semi-Structured Interviews
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Ethical Disadvantages of Semi-Structured Interviews
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Theoretical Disadvantages of Semi-Structured Interviews
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Questionnaires (Nature)

Back

They are a type of Social Survey with a list of pre-set questions to which the participants are asked to answer. There are two different types of questionnaire; open and closed.

Card 3

Front

Questionnaire (Use)

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Questionnaire (Purpose)

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Types of Questionnaire

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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