Research Methods

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  • Created by: nellie
  • Created on: 08-04-13 22:05
What is the main aim of conducting research in sociology ?
To enable sociologists gain a better understanding of society
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What is the four steps to take when conducting research ?
1.) Decide what type of research method(s) is the most appropriate. 2.) Conduct a pilot study on a representative (practice run) 3.) Correct the research according to the findings of the pilot study 4.) Represent the findings of the study
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What are the four main ways data can be presented ?
Primary Data, Secondary Data, Quantitative Data, Qualitative Data
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List the two types of questions that can be used in Questionnaires/ Survey and the data they produce.
Closed Questions - Quantitative Open Questions - Qualitative
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List the advantages and disadvantages of using Questionnaires/Surveys as a research method
A- Large sample, Cheap and quick to do, Quantitative data collected so can easily compare trends. D - Respondent rate (people may not send them back), People can lie, Can't clarify meaning of questions
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What data do structured interviews mainly produce?
Quantitative
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List the advantages and disadvantages of using Structured Interviews as a research method
A- High in reliability, Quantitative data can easily be used to compare trends. D- Low in validity (true representation of everyday life), Less of a rapport is developed between interviewer and interviewee
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What data do unstructured interviews produce?
Qualitative
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of using unstructured interviews as a research method ?
A- High in validity, Qualitative data gives more insight, Often are like conversation so good rapprt between interviewer and interviewee, More information can be gathered D- Low in reliability, Time consuming to write down and conduct, Limited sample
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Define Participant and Non-participant, Overt and Covert observation
Participant - sociologist joins group and observes their activities Non- Participant - The sociologist does not join simply observes e.g:Ofsted inspector. Covert - without knowledge of participant Overt - Participants know why the observer is there
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What type of data is produced by any type of observation ?
Qualitative
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List the advantages and disadvantages of using observation as a means of research ?
A- high in validity as they are done in the social world, Generate lots of info, with covert you can observe natural behaviour, overt is simple and quick D- Hard to repeat (non-reliable), can be dangerous (covert), Can be unethical (covert)
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What type of data to official statitics produce
Quantitative
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List the advantages and disadvantages of using official statistics as a research method
A-Information is readily available, cheap and quick, high levels of reliability D- Crime Stats have dark figures(crimes that aren't reported), Not always specific to your topic, Low in vadility
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what type of data do documents, autobiographies, etc produce and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using this research method
Qualitative. A- Information is readily available, cheap, lots of information to read and examine. D- Time consuming, Not always specific to topic,
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What is good research ?
Good research should be ; Valid, Objective (avoid bias), Sample should be representative, Reliable (can be repeated with similar results
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the four steps to take when conducting research ?

Back

1.) Decide what type of research method(s) is the most appropriate. 2.) Conduct a pilot study on a representative (practice run) 3.) Correct the research according to the findings of the pilot study 4.) Represent the findings of the study

Card 3

Front

What are the four main ways data can be presented ?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

List the two types of questions that can be used in Questionnaires/ Survey and the data they produce.

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

List the advantages and disadvantages of using Questionnaires/Surveys as a research method

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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