Research Methods

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  • Created by: Gracie
  • Created on: 08-04-13 19:24
Primary Data
Info which sociologists collect themselves through original or first hand research
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Secondary Data
Info which has not been collected by sociologists. Info already exists and is therefore second hand
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Validity
The extent to which the results of research present a true picture of what is being studied
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Reliability
The extent to which results stand up to retesting. Research is reliable if, when repeated, consistent results are achieved
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Qualitative Data
Information of a written kind
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Quantitative Data
Information of a numerical kind
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Objectivity
The extent to which research is free from personal bias or opinion Objective research is free from personal views and opinions of the sociologist
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Subjectivity
The extent to which research contains an individuals perspective or point of view about the subject of the research method
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Representative Sample
A sample that mirrors society at large. eg, in terms of age, social class, sec and ethnicity
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Sampling
The process by which people are selected to take part in research
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Pilot Study
A small scale trial of a piece of research that examines design issues such as quality of questions, length of interview or usefulness of sample
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Triangulation
Where sociologist use a combinations of quantitative and qualitative research methods
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Operationalisation
The process where a sociologist defines or measures key variables in a study. eg, social class may be measured by occupational status
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Social Construction
Something created or defined by society rather than occurring naturally
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Social Fact
A true and objective measure of parts of society, eg, crime rates and suicide
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Positivism
The view that society should be studies as scientifically as possible
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Anti-positivism/Interpretivism
The view that society cannot be studied as a science
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Hypothesis
A predication or statement that can be tested by collecting evidence to prove it true or false
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Info which has not been collected by sociologists. Info already exists and is therefore second hand

Back

Secondary Data

Card 3

Front

The extent to which the results of research present a true picture of what is being studied

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The extent to which results stand up to retesting. Research is reliable if, when repeated, consistent results are achieved

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Information of a written kind

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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