Sociology research methods

Positivism

A research perspective that employs scientific methods and a macro-approach, emphasizing quantitative data and the study of social behavior like natural sciences.

Interpretivism

A research perspective that emphasizes subjective understanding and qualitative methods, focusing on the micro-level of social interactions.

Quantitative Data

Data that is numerical and can be measured statistically, commonly used in positivist research.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive data that focuses on understanding concepts, experiences, or social phenomena, often used in interpretivist research.

Hawthorne Effect

A phenomenon where individuals modify their behavior due to awareness of being observed, as discovered in an American factory study.

Reliability

The degree to which research methods produce consistent and repeatable results.

Validity

The extent to which research accurately reflects the true situation or the concept being studied.

Official Statistics (OS)

Secondary quantitative data produced by governments and organizations, used for sociological research.

Triangulation

The use of multiple research methods or data sources to enhance the validity of research findings.

Researcher Imposition

The influence that a researcher's personal biases can have on the data collection and interpretation process.

Bias in Research

A tendency of researchers to influence outcomes or interpretations of data based on their personal values or beliefs.

Primary Data

Data collected firsthand by researchers through methods such as surveys, interviews, or observations.

Secondary Data

Data that has been collected and published by other researchers or organizations, used to support primary data.

Generalizability

The extent to which research findings from a sample can be applied to the larger population.

Interviewer Effect

The influence that the characteristics of the interviewer can have on the responses given by interviewees.

Ethical Issues in Research

Considerations that ensure the welfare of participants, including informed consent, privacy, and potential harm.

Closed Questions

Questions that provide respondents with a limited set of response options, often used in quantitative research.

Open Questions

Questions that allow respondents to answer in their own words, providing deeper and more descriptive data.

Research Methods

The various techniques and procedures used for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data in sociological research.

Sampling

The process of selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population for research purposes.

Ethics in Research

Principles that govern the conduct of research, ensuring respect, fairness, and protection of participants.

Validity vs. Reliability

Validity refers to the credibility of the findings, while reliability refers to the consistency of the results across repeated studies.