research method key words sociology

Rapport

Close and harmonious relationship where people understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well

Primary data

Collected by the researcher (first hand) e.g. questionnaire/interviews

Advantages and disadvantages of primary data

Adv - exactly what the reader wants (trustworthy)

Dis- time consuming and expensive

Secondary data

Data that already exists

Advantages and disadvantages of secondary data

Adv - easily accessible / cheap

Dis - might not be up to date

Qualitative data

Data in the form of words e.g. letter/diary/report

Advantages and disadvantages of qualitative data

Adv - detailed

Dis - Subjective and time consuming

Quantitative data

Data in the form of numbers/stats

Advantages and disadvantages of quantitative data

Adv - easy to analyse

Dis - Lacks detail

Representiveness

Where the group studied (sample) reflects the wider population. If this is the case generalisations can be made

validity

Whether the research gives a true nature and detailed meanings and motives can be gathered e.g. qualitative methods