Sociology - Research Methods

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Aim
What the research intends to find.
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Hypothesis
Informed guess or prediction about what is expected to be found.
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Pilot Study
Small-scale trial of the research to test the study and make changes if necessary.
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Random Sampling
Every individual in the sampling frame has an equal chance of being picked.
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Snowball Sampling
One individual is chosen and provides contacts for other individuals that fit the required sample.
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Systematic Sampling
Every 'nth' person in the sampling frame is selected for the sample.
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Quota Sampling
Individuals are selected to fulfil proportions that reflect society.
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Qualitative Data
'Word' data which is rich in detail.
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Quantitative Data
Numerical data which can be categorised (from closed questions)
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Primary Data
Data collected by a researcher themselves using research methods.
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Secondary Data
Data used by a researcher that has been collected by others or other bodies (e.g official statistics)
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Time (as a practical issue)
How long the research will take to carry out.
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Cost (as a practical issue)
How much the researcher needs to spend to carry out the research.
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Social Skills (as a practical issue)
The researcher's ability to interact well with participants socially.
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Access (as a practical issue)
The researcher's ability to carry out the research.
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Deception (as an ethical issue)
Lying to or intentionally deceiving a participant
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Informed Consent (as an ethical issue)
Ensuring that the participants are fully informed of what the research involves and that the individual (or their guardian) consents to their participation.
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Protection from Harm (as an ethical issue)
The researcher's responsibility to ensure all participants are not harmed physically, emotionally and/or mentally during or as a result of research.
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Right to Withdraw (as an ethical issue)
The right held by a participant to remove themselves and their data from a study at any time.
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Confidentiality (as an ethical issue)
Information about the participants is only able to be accessed by those with authority to do so.
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Privacy (as an ethical issue)
The researcher's responsibility to keep the identity of all participants anonymous and to
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Laboratory Experiment
An experiment in research which takes place within a controlled environment (e.g a lab)
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Field Experiment
An experiment in research which takes place in a non-controlled, natural environment (e.g a school/workplace)
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Questionnaire
Set of written questions (open and/or closed) which is given to a participant to fill in.
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Closed Question
Question that provides quantitative data and has a set range of answers (e.g Yes or No, tick-boxes)
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Open Question
Question that provides qualitative data and has no set answer. Participant often uses a lot of detail to explain.
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Interview
Research method in which the researcher asks questions directly (in person or over the phone) and makes note of answers.
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Unstructured Interview
Interview in which questions the researcher deems relevant to the individual are asked. Each participant may be asked different questions. More of a conversational, casual setting.
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Structured Interview
Interview in which all questions are preset by the researcher and are asked to all participants.
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Observations
Research method in which the researcher 'observes' the behaviour of individuals in the sample.
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Participant Observation
Researcher joins in with the activities of the participants to investigate.
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Non-Participant Observation
Researcher studies the activities of the participants, but does not 'join in' with them.
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Covert Observation
Researcher studies participants, who do not know they are being observed.
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Overt Observation
Researcher studies participants, who know they are being observed.
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Case Studies
Detailed investigation over time of an institution (e.g a school or the police force)
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Longitudinal Study
A study which follows the same sample over a period of time to study changes within individuals over time.
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Official Statistics
Quantitative secondary data, often collected by the government.
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Content Analysis
Systematically dealing with secondary sources with qualitative data - e.g the media.
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Triangulation
'Cross-checking' findings from a qualitative method with findings from a quantitative method.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Informed guess or prediction about what is expected to be found.

Back

Hypothesis

Card 3

Front

Small-scale trial of the research to test the study and make changes if necessary.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Every individual in the sampling frame has an equal chance of being picked.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

One individual is chosen and provides contacts for other individuals that fit the required sample.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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