T4 validity/ sampling techniques, access, gatekeeping

respondent validation

• check with original sample that the conclusions/ interpretations being made correlate with samples perspectives

• researcher gives the sample a summary of their findings and ask for feedback on wether they accurately represent their views

what do reflexivity and respondent validation raise?

• objectivity

• validity

open questions

allow respondent to talk at length, more detail, nuanced info than a closed question

• raises validity

natural environment

• being in a natural environment may offer a better version of the truth than a formal setting

• raises validity

• especially if soc is covert as no Hawthorne effect

rapport

• unique and trusting relationship

• makes the subjects feel comfortable to act naturally

• answers truthfully

• raises validity

verstehen

• German word meaning empathetic understanding

• cain gain a better understanding on how the subject impacts the individuals social life

• raises validity

social desirability

• respondents ansering in a way that makes them look good

• say what they think the researcher wants to hear

• happens in semi/ unstructured interviews and not in quant methods as they relationship between interviewer and interviewee is more formal

  • lowers validity as individuals may deny trying drugs

going native

• becoming to close with the group and ceasing to be objective which lowers validity

• researcher may spend so much time that they begin to like them

• interps see this as a benefit as it achieves verstehen

  • pos see as problematic as research may lose sight of the objective/truth/reality and then make overly sympathetic conclusions about the sample

observer effect

• people change behaviours bc they know they’re being watched

  • eg teachers when being observed by Ofsted

social facts

• undeniable truth

• pos = argue quant data needs less interpretation than qual data so what they find is a social fact

• interps = reject the idea that there is such a thing as a social fact since everything is open to interpretation

leading questions

• lower objectivity

• reduce validity

• survey questions that encourage or guide the respondent towards a desired answer

• when a researcher asks questions almost in hope of receiving a answer they want

longitudinal studies

• may improve validity

• bc they show life changing over a long period of time rather than a snapshot which most other methods provide

• EG Edinburgh youth in transition severe documents how 10 year olds changed over a period of ten years in relation to crime and victimisation