aice sociology #9

Research Methods

Techniques for collecting data such as interviews of questionnaires.

Ethical

Relating to moral principles that state what is right and wrong.

Research participants

The people who researchers study.

Primary data

New information produced by the researcher during the research process.

Secondary data

Pre-existing information used by the researcher.

Quantitative data

Information in the form of statistic.

Qualitative data

All data (such as quotations from interview participants) that is not in numerical form.

Official statistics

Numerical data produced by government departments and agencies.

Validity

Data are valid if they represent a true or accurate measurement,

Reliability

Data are reliable when different researchers using the same methods obtain the same results.

Positivism

An approach that explores people’s lived experiences and the meanings they attach to their actions. It favors quantitative data.

Interpretivism

An approach that explores people’s lived experiences and meanings they attach to their actions. It favors qualitative data.

Correlation

A statistical link between two or more variables or factors.

Generalization

A statement based on a relatively small group which is then applied to a larger group.

Representative sample

A subgroup that is typical of its population.

Population

The group under study from which a sample is selected.

Social survey

Systematic collection of the same type of data from a fairly large number of people.

Hypothesis

A testable statement about the relationship between tow or more variables.

Self-completion questionnaire

A questionnaire that the respondent fills in.

Closed questions

Questions in which the range of responses is fixed by the researcher.

Open-ended/open questions

Questions which allow the respondent to answer in their own words.

Ethical issue

A concern with morals and how to conduct morally accpetable research.

Pilot study

A small-scale study to check the suitability of the methods to be used in the main study.

Operationalize

Translate abstract concepts into a form that can be measured.

Coded

Answers are classified into various categories.