Topic 1: The main stages of the research process and research methods key terms
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63 Terms
What is sociology?
The academic study of society.
What makes sociological knowledge different from common sense?
It is systematically collected, analysed and interpreted through research.
What are the four key decisions sociologists make before conducting research?
Objectives, methods, data type, and who to study.
What is the first stage of the research process?
Planning.
What happens during the planning stage?
Researchers decide what and how to research.
What is the second stage of the research process?
Information gathering.
What happens during information gathering?
Data is collected using research methods.
What is the third stage of the research process?
Information processing.
What happens during information processing?
Data is analysed and interpreted.
What is the final stage of the research process?
Evaluation.
What is internal analysis?
Assessing whether the hypothesis and methods worked properly.
What is external analysis?
Presenting findings for public scrutiny and criticism.
How can a sociologist's values influence research?
They may shape topic choice and interpretation.
Which study showed how researcher characteristics affect access?
Abrams (2002) on minimum wage jobs.
How did Abrams' characteristics affect her research?
As a middle-class woman she struggled to gain acceptance.
How can theoretical position influence research?
Researchers choose topics consistent with their beliefs.
Which sociologist's work on the underclass was influenced by neoliberalism?
Murray.
Why is accessibility important when choosing a research topic?
Some groups are difficult to access.
Which researcher struggled to gain access to Chicago gangs?
Venkatesh.
What practical factors influence research choice?
Time and money.
What is social policy?
Government policies designed to solve social problems.
What is a hypothesis?
A testable statement about a relationship between variables.
Give the textbook example of a hypothesis.
People steal because they are poor.
Which theoretical perspective favours hypotheses?
Positivists.
Why do positivists favour hypotheses?
They can be tested scientifically.
What is a research question?
A question answered through evidence gathering.
Which perspective favours research questions?
Interpretivists.
Why do interpretivists favour research questions?
They seek rich, detailed data.
What research question did Simpson (2012) investigate?
How middle-aged gay men negotiate heterosexually defined spaces.
What is primary data?
Data collected first-hand by the researcher.
What is secondary data?
Data collected by someone else.
Give three examples of secondary data.
Official statistics, newspaper articles, previous studies.
Why do sociologists use secondary data first?
To identify existing research and research gaps.
Which study built on Willis' work by including girls?
Jackson.
Why is secondary data cost-effective?
It saves time and money.
Why might sociologists choose primary research?
To investigate a topic exactly as they wish.
What does primary research give sociologists more control over?
Methods, sample size and sampling frame.
Why is primary research useful for studying contemporary society?
It reflects current attitudes and behaviours.
What is operationalisation?
Defining concepts clearly and deciding how to measure them.
Why must sociologists operationalise concepts?
Many concepts cannot be directly measured.
What indicator could be used to operationalise poverty?
Income.
What is an indicator?
A measurable sign of a concept.
Why does operationalisation increase validity?
Respondents understand exactly what is being measured.
Why does operationalisation increase reliability?
Future researchers can use the same definitions.
Why can operationalisation increase objectivity?
It reduces subjective interpretation.
What is a pilot study?
A small-scale trial run of research.
Why do sociologists conduct pilot studies?
To identify problems before the main study.
How can pilot studies improve validity?
They reveal confusing questions or concepts.
How can pilot studies improve objectivity?
They identify researcher bias such as leading questions.
How can pilot studies help with funding?
They demonstrate a study is feasible.
How can pilot studies help with sampling?
They test the suitability of the sample and sampling frame.
What happens after data collection?
Data is analysed and interpreted.
Why do positivists favour questionnaires?
They generate large amounts of quantitative data.
What two key strengths do positivists seek?
Representativeness and generalisability.
Why do interpretivists favour interviews?
They provide rich, detailed qualitative data.
What is transcription?
Converting recorded interviews into written text.
What is interpretation of data?
Deciding what findings mean.
Why can interpretation create bias?
Researchers may focus on evidence supporting their views.
What is reflexivity?
Researchers reflecting on their own values and biases.
How might a sociologist practise reflexivity?
By keeping a research diary.
What is respondent validation?
Checking interpretations with participants.
Why is respondent validation used?
To ensure findings reflect participants' views
What two GROVER concepts can reflexivity improve?
Objectivity and validity.