Analysing and Evaluating Research

What five concepts are used to evaluate sociological research?

Validity, reliability, representativeness, generalisability, and objectivity/bias

What is reliability?

Research is reliable if it produces consistent results when repeated

What is validity?

Whether research gives a true and accurate picture of social reality

Which research tends to have higher validity: qualitative or quantitative? Why?

Qualitative, because it explores people’s meanings and motives in depth

What is representativeness?

How well the sample reflects the wider population

What is generalisability?

Whether findings can be applied to the wider population, not just the group studied

What affects the generalisability of research?

Mainly how representative the sample is

What is objectivity and bias?

Objectivity = neutral/unbiased research

Bias = Personal values, beliefs or background influencing research

What did Gunnar Myrdal argue about objectivity?

Complete objectivity is impossible because some subjectivity always influences research