Sociological Research Methods

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering sociological research methods, theoretical perspectives, and practical, ethical, and theoretical research considerations.

Primary data

Information collected directly by the researcher for their own specific purposes using methods such as questionnaires, interviews, and observations.

Secondary data

Information that already exists and was created by someone other than the researcher, including official statistics, government reports, newspapers, and diaries.

Quantitative data

Numerical data such that sociologists use to identify patterns and create statistics

Qualitative data

Non-numerical data presented in visual or verbal form, such as written sources, detailed observation notes, quotes from interviews.

Pros for primary data

• sociologists can gather precise info needed to test hypotheses

Cons for primary data

• costly

• time consuming

• small sample

Pros for secondary data

• quick and cheap

• easily obtained

• able to gain data on a wider sample than just one researcher can gather

Cons for secondary data

• precise info that sociologist wants may not be available

What are the two main views when it comes to collecting data

Positivism and interpretivism

Positivism

Views society as having an objective, factual reality, treats sociology as a science, and uses large-scale quantitative methods to discover scientific laws of cause and effect.

Examples of methods of research positivists would prefer

• questionnaires

• structured interviews

• experiments

• official statistics

Interpretivism

View that argues individuals construct reality through interactions and that research should uncover subjective meanings using qualitative methods.

Examples of methods of research interpretivists would prefer

• participant observation

• unstructured interviews

• personal documents

Verstehen

An interpretivist concept referring to empathetic understanding or gaining insight into the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their situations and behaviour.

Validity

Whether research data provides a true, genuine, and accurate picture or reflection of social reality.

Reliability

Whether the research can be repeated in the same way by another researcher to produce the same or similar results.

Representativeness

Refers to how well the sample reflects the characteristics of the wider population in terms of variables like age, gender, ethnicity, and social class.

Methodological perspective

The theoretical stance held by a sociologist (such as positivism or interpretivism) that guides which research methods they choose to study society.

What are the 3 main types of issues that can arise when conducting research

• practical

• ethical

• theoretical

Practical issues

• time and money

• requirements of funding bodies

• personal skills and characteristics

• subject matter

• research opportunity

Ethical issues

• informed consent

• right to withdraw

• confidentiality and privacy

• harm to research participants

• vulnerable groups

• covert vs overt research

Theoretical issues

• validity

• reliability

• representativeness

Harm to research participants

Potential adverse consequences of research (such as police intervention, social exclusion, or psychological damage) that sociologists must anticipate and prevent.

Vulnerable groups

Participants who require special ethical protections due to age, disability, or physical and mental health, such as children requiring parental consent and accessible language.

Covert research

A research approach where the sociologist conceals their true identity and purpose from the group being studied, preventing informed consent and involving deception.

Getting in

A practical hurdle in covert participant observation involving gaining physical and social access to a secretive group by managing dress, backstory, mannerisms, and habits.

Guilty knowledge

An ethical dilemma arising when a researcher uncovers confidential or criminal information during fieldwork and must decide whether or not to disclose it to authorities.

Research opportunity

A practical consideration where research access or circumstances arise unexpectedly, making time-consuming, highly structured methods impractical.