Data is valid if it is truthful and measures what it claims to measure. For example, church attendance figures tell us how many people go to church, they do not measure how many people are relgious.
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Reliability
Research is said to be reliable if it would produce similar results if repeated in similar circumstances. Reliable methods are standardised.
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Representativeness
Research is carried out on a small section of society; only the Census studies the whole population.
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Generalisability
This is where data obtained from a small group of people can be applied to a whole population. If the data is not representative then it cannot be generalised.
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Objectivity
This means being un-biased or neutral. Positivists believe that research should aim to be objective. Critics argue that objectivity is not possible, your values and beliefs inevitably influence what you study and how you study it.
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Ethics
Researchers must follow ethical or moral guidelines when collecting data. Avoiding harm to the participants and the person conducting the study is the most important factor.
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Reliability
Back
Research is said to be reliable if it would produce similar results if repeated in similar circumstances. Reliable methods are standardised.
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