Reasearch Methods

What do positivists prefer in research methods?

Scientific, quantifiable data that is easy to obtain and rich in validity and reliability.

What type of data do interpretivists prefer?

Qualitative data that provides in-depth meaning of a small-scale research group therefore rich in validity.

What are some practical issues in research methods?

Time, money, access, and safety.

What ethical issue involves participants understanding the research?

Informed consent.

What is the importance of confidentiality in research?

Participants' identities should be kept private.

What is a potential psychological harm in research?

Research should not upset or emotionally harm participants, especially vulnerable groups.

What is the right to withdraw in research?

Participants should be able to leave the study at any time.

What do positivists value in terms of reliability?

They prefer methods that yield consistent results, such as questionnaires and structured interviews.

What is representativeness in research?

The sample should reflect the wider population to help generalize findings.

What is validity in research?

Whether the research shows the true meaning behind people's behaviors.

What is a laboratory experiment?

Research conducted in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.

What is a key advantage of laboratory experiments?

They are scientific, controlled, and highly reliable.

What is a disadvantage of laboratory experiments?

Artificiality, as people may not behave naturally in a controlled setting.

What is a field experiment?

Research that takes place in the real world, either by creating a situation or adapting a real-life scenario.

What is an advantage of field experiments?

Less artificiality and more valid behavior as it occurs in real-world situations.

What is a disadvantage of field experiments?

Less control over variables, making it harder to control everything affecting behavior.

What are questionnaires?

Lists of pre-set questions that typically include closed-ended questions with pre-coded answers.

What is an advantage of using questionnaires?

They are cheap, quick, and can yield quantifiable data.

What is a disadvantage of questionnaires?

They may have a low response rate, leading to unrepresentative samples.

What are structured interviews?

Interviews where every participant is asked the same set of pre-written questions in the same order.

What is a key advantage of structured interviews?

They are organized, scientific, and allow for quantifiable results.

What is a disadvantage of structured interviews?

They may have low validity as closed questions might not allow participants to fully explain their views.

What are unstructured interviews?

Flexible interviews where the researcher allows the conversation to flow naturally.

What is an advantage of unstructured interviews?

They provide high validity as participants can express their feelings and opinions in detail.

What is a disadvantage of unstructured interviews?

They can be time-consuming and expensive, and may not be representative.

What is a semi-structured interview?

A mix of structured and unstructured interviews with planned questions that allow for exploration of answers.

What are the advantages of semi-structured interviews?

They provide detailed answers, allow flexibility, and enable exploration of important topics.

What is a disadvantage of semi-structured interviews?

Participants may not be honest, and results can be difficult to replicate.

What is participant observation?

When the researcher joins the group they are studying and participates in activities.

What are the advantages of participant observation?

High validity, realistic behaviors, and deep understanding of people's actions.

What is a disadvantage of participant observation?

It can be unreliable and difficult to replicate due to the researcher's involvement.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

The phenomenon where people change their behavior because they know they are being observed.

What is non-participant observation?

When the researcher observes the group without joining in their activities.

What are the advantages of non-participant observation?

More valid as there is less risk of the researcher becoming too involved.

What is a disadvantage of non-participant observation?

Observations can be subjective and difficult to replicate.

What is covert observation?

When the researcher secretly studies people without informing them of the research purpose.

What are the advantages of covert observation?

More valid as people behave naturally, providing first-hand insights.

What are the ethical issues associated with covert observation?

Participants are deceived and cannot give informed consent.

What are official statistics?

Data collected by the government for its own benefit, often used in sociological research.

What are the advantages of using official statistics?

They are practical, cheap, easy to access, and cover large groups of people.

What is a disadvantage of official statistics?

They may not cover what sociologists specifically want to study.

What are personal documents in sociological research?

Private writings such as diaries and letters that provide personal insights.

What are the advantages of using personal documents?

They often provide high validity and are time-saving for researchers.

What is a disadvantage of personal documents?

They may not be representative and can reflect personal biases.

What are historical documents?

Documents that provide evidence from the past, useful for sociological comparisons.

What are the advantages of using historical documents?

They allow for full comparisons over time and assess social policy outcomes.

What is a disadvantage of historical documents?

They may be unrepresentative or have authenticity problems.

What is the focus of Methods in Context in sociology?

To apply specific research methods to study topics like gender, ethnicity, and class differences in education.

What common topics are studied in Methods in Context?

Gender, ethnicity, class differences in achievement, parents' attitudes towards school, and homework completion.

What is the role of teachers in Methods in Context?

Teachers may have biases and influence students' experiences and achievements.

What challenges do researchers face when studying pupils?

Pupils may be influenced by peers and have difficulty understanding questions.

How can labeling in classrooms affect students?

Labels like 'bright' or 'troublemaker' can impact students' behavior and achievement.