Social surveys

Define census

This is a survey conducted on a entire population. Typically done by the government in official statistics.

Operationalising a concept and pilot study definition

Operationalising a concept is understanding a concept before starting research around it.

A pilot study is testing out the study - such as making practice questionnaires - to understand all the faults and advantages of the experiment before it officially begins.

Stages of conducting a survey

1. choose a topic

2. determine aim/hypothesis

3. operationalising concepts

4. conduct pilot study

5. analyse data

6. conduct survey

7. decide whether face to face, postal etc

8. Select sample

4 representative sampling techniques

1. Random sampling - The sample is selected purely by random chance - names drawn out of a hat

2. Quasi-random sampling - Every tenth or hundredth name etc on a list is picked

3. Stratified sampling - Dividing the population into females and males, then taking 1% sample of each to ensure they end up with an equal amount of numbers.

4. Quota sampling - similar to stratified but choosing the samples for each category (e.g. male and female) randomly.

Practical limitations of representative sampling

1. Hard to know social characteristics: gender, class age etc

2. People could refuse to participate

2 types of sampling sociologists would use as a replacement of representative sampling

1. Snowball - contacting key individuals of the research and them suggesting others who might also be helpful towards the research

2. Opportunity sampling: Choosing individuals who are easiest to access