primary methods

Survey

Obtaining information in a standardised manner from a large group of people.

There are 2 types of survey, cross section, which is a 'snapshot of one particular time. Longitudinal surveys are over a long period of time, usually two years.

Cress sectional surveys are favoured by Positivists because they can access large samples and establish patterns and trends, or take a Marco (large scale approach).

Cross sectional surveys often use quantitative methods (numerical/statistical form) like questionnaires or structured interviews. These have closed questions, this means they are quick to complete, so can access large representative samples (that can account for differences based on gender, ethnicity and social class), this means researchers can generalise or apply results.

Questionnaire

List of closed questions that respondents 'self complete' or complete olone.

Questionnaires produce quantitative data.

Favoured by Positivists as questionnaires enable a macro approach (or large scale) and can establish patterns and trends.

The closed questions make it quick to complete, so researchers co access large samples. This increases representativeness (ability to account for class, gender and ethnicity) and therefore generalisability, to apply results or make a claim.

Closed questions also increase the reliability (ability to repeat results and get the same or similar answers), as the closed questio means respondents approximate answers.

Interview

Unstructured interviews ore informal with no rigid structure. They are like a natural conversation. Participants guide the interview.

Unstructured use open questions, fully explore the topic in their own words as they don't approximate answers (this increases the validity), Favoured by interpretivists, individual meaning and matives and versten (deep understanding. Roseneil I wouldn't have gat through the last 35 years without them. Zadeh interviews in their own homes, this increases access, as they have 'dependent children' but increases cost (travel) and time

Semi structured have some closed questions but are a qualitative method (expressed in words or text) and favour by interpretivests

Structured interviews have all closed questions, producing quantitative data (expressed in numerical/statistical form). They are a method favoured by Positivists as you con establish patterns and trends and take a macre (large scale) approach.

Closed questions make it quick to complete, this increases the sample size and incrvases representativeness (the ability to account for differences) and generalise or apply results.

Closed questions in structured interviews also increase the reliability (repeat and get the sone or similar answers this is because respondents have to opproximate answers.

Focus groups

Focus groups

Group interview of between 4-6 people

It is favoured by Interpretivitists as it enables them to look at individuals' meaning and motives and take a micro or small scale approach.

This method is like a natural conversation, this increases the validity as a rapport (relationship) can be built between respondents, making them feel more comfortable. The group members can prompt each ether and this can aid memory recall, increasing the truthfulness or validity.

Focus groups can access longer samples than other interviews, os they can access large sample sizes, this increases the representativeness and the ability to generalise, apply results or make a claim

Holden-43 wотел

23 men larger samples more representative than other interview methods

Observational methods Qualitative method (expressed in words or Text)

Favoured by Interpretivists as it enables a researcher to understand individuals' meanings and motives, take a macro approach (small scale) and get versten' or deep understanding.

Participant observation (researcher joins the group and takes part) This increases rapport, verstein, Validity. Colasi develops a bias when using Participant observations, or she does not remain objective I had an Internal dialogue, and thought no your wrong. This decreases the validity, not as truthful, as the researchers interpretation can be incorrect.

Non participant observation, researcher withdraws from the participation and merely observes.

Covert no informed consent (unaware) of the research. This ensures na Hawthorne effect (respondents changing behaviour because they know they are being watched). This increases the validity (more truthful or accurate). Amy Flower on sexline workers more validity about how the women manage relationships.

Ethnographic study

Understanding the way of life of a group' by becoming a group member. This is used on 'deviant or hard to reach groups

This is favoured by Interpretivists as it enables an understanding of individuals 'meaning and motives and ensures you can take a micro approach or small scale.

The methods commonly used in ethnographic studies are interviews with open questions and observations, this means they produce qualitative data (data expressed in words or text). The open questions used in ethnographic studies mean respondents don't approximate answers, this increases the validity (more true or accurate).

Ethnographic studies mean the research and respondent can build a rapport (relationship), so respondents feel more comfortable, increasing the validity (accurate) and ensuring verstehen or deep understanding.

Longitudinal studies

Carried out over a number of year's (usually 2 years), the same respondents are revisited at regular intervals.

Longitudinal studies can be qualitative or quantitative.

They are used by Positivists to establish key patterns and trends (macro) and by Interpretivists to look at individuals' meaning and motives, or get Verstein (deep understanding).

Longitudinal studies have an issue with drop-out rates and this decreases the representativeness (ability to account for key differences based on gender, ethnicity and social class and the ability to generalise or apply results.

Bunsell's study 2 years, to gain access to 'deviant' and hard to reach female bodybuilders. This builds a rapport and ensures more validity data as respondents feel more comfortable.

Holden-Debt uses questionnaires to see patterns and trends in attitudes