Sociology for Paper 1

Research Methods, Identity, Inequality

What are the 2 ways sociologists study of society (what are ways they do)

Positivist approach

Interpretivist approach

What is the Positivist approach

• approach to sociology based on studying society in a scientific manner (use of the scientific method a/o belief in use of same research methods used in natural sciences (phy,chem,bio))

• concentrate on producing quantitative data, usually in the form of statistics

• goes back to 19th and 20th century w/ sociologists like Emile Durkheim and Auguste Comte

• Scientists want results to be : objectivity (absence of bias), neutrality, unbiased, which critics say. Positivists reply that even scientists can obtain objectivity yet sociologists should always aim to be objective.

• Positivists use social survey and questionnaires, which also produce quantitative data

• could be like HOW many instead of WHY (like below)
  

Describe the Interpretivist approach

• an approach in which an action or event is analyzed based on the beliefs, norms, values of the culture of the society in which it takes place & gaining contextual meaning

• WHY behind stuff : Seeks to interpret social phenomena from the pov of those being studied (analyzing things through their subjective meaning to the population that experienced it)

• A qualitative methodology : data in the form of words, are more effective when expressed through language

• prioritizing meanings, motivations, validity, and verstehen (an interpretive approach to understanding human action. german origin) 

• may use methods like interviews and participant observation

Give and describe the 2 approaches that combine different research methods and evidence (triangles and waves)

Triangulation

• a strategy that uses multiple data sources, methods, theories, or investigators to study a single topic, in order to test or enhance the credibility and validity of the findings. Used in both qualitative and quantitative research

• researchers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon + overcome the limitations and biases due to using a single approach

Longitudinal 

• a research design that involves repeated observations of the same variables over an extended period, often years or decades, to track changes and identify patterns over time. Researchers collect data at multiple intervals, or "waves," from the same subjects to observe how a specific group of individuals or phenomena changes or develops. 

  • used in both qualitative and quantitative research

  • used in examining cause-and-effect relationships, long term trends, and impact of events on individuals

  •  researchers repeatedly examine the same individuals to detect any changes that might occur over a period of time.

What do we consider when we analyze and evaluate research (method) choices + give examples

(REVIEW WHOLE DECK TO SEE IF DEFINITIONS FIT IGCSE USING THE TEXTBOOK)

We analyze and evaluate research choices with a systematic assessment of a topic’s research methodology to find its strengths, weaknesses, and if it’s the best research method for this. We analyze and evaluate research method choices with the following to consider/in mind: 

• Bias : a systematic error that can occur during the design, conduct, or interpretation of a study, leading to inaccurate conclusions

• Interviewer effect : a kind of bias that emerges when a characteristic of the interviewer (age, race, gender etc.) influences the responses given by the interviewee (for e.g., a racist would be (passive aggressively) racist to a poc interviewer) (characteristics of the interviewer incites certain attitude/behavior/responses from the interviewee)

• Hawthorne/Observer effect : phenomenon that refers to individuals changing their behavior (or an aspect of it) when they’re aware of being observed or studied. Usually results in short term boosts of performance

• Validity : refers to how accurately a method measures what it is intended to measure. harder to asses but more important than reliability. no e.g. be deep

• Reliability : refers to how consistently a method measures a result (a specific/the same result) If the same result is constantly achieved through the same method in same circumstances, the method is considered reliable (e.g. boiling a liquid at the same temp.)

• Representativeness : 

• Generalizability : the degree to which you can apply the results of your study to a broader (more inclusive and spanning) context. Research results are considered generalizable when they can be applied to most contexts, most people, most of the time.

What kinds of data and evidence do sociologists use

Quantitative Data : measures or values expressed as numbers. Numbers based, countable, and measurable. Deals with statistics. Can be collected through experiments, surveys with numerical answers, controlled observations

e. g height, weight, income, age, temperature → questions like ‘how many/much/often?’

Qualitative Data : values expressed in words or measures in ‘types’. Interpretation based, descriptive, observational, and relating to language (words, meanings and experiences). Can be collected through interviews, focus groups, and open ended survey responses

e. g colors, emotions, opinions, textures → questions like why?, what kind? how?

Primary Evidence : original data or first hand source of info created at the time of an event by a direct participant or witness

e. g a scientific lab’s results, a diary, a government document

Secondary Evidence : a copy of primary evidence or a second hand account or an interpretation of the primary evidence OR sources that analyze, interpret, or summarize a primary evidence’s info

e. g a review article, a textbook, a biography

Give the differences between

• Primary and Secondary Sources of Data

• Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Primary is first hand account and secondary is second hand account

quantitative is objective, numerical data and is used in statistics analysis

qualitative is descriptive data, involving meanings, characteristics

Secondary evidence : give examples of evidences and give strengths and limitations of each kind

How do we analyze, interpret, and evaluate data from qualitative and quantitative sources ?

What are the 7 stages of research design

What is Sampling and Sampling Frames

What do explain, develop, and identify mean ?

Give 5 sampling techniques + their strengths and limitations

(give 5) Quantitative and Qualitative primary research methods & their strengths and limitations

There are 4 types of questions. What are they?

What are 4 theoretical and practical issues affecting research

(what are) ethical issues affecting research

How do we learn our identity, in a society as a product of social construction 

How do each of these affect individual behavior and social identity

The social construction of our identity raises 4 concepts. What are they (briefly define them clearly & concise)

Give the key agencies of primary and secondary socialization

• give the process each uses

• give each’s effectiveness in the socialization process 

What does describe, evaluate, and give mean 

What are 3 sociological perspectives & theories on socialisation

What debate exists btwn these 3 views (consensus and conflict)

What the formal and informal types of social control and their effectiveness in producing social conformity

• what are positive and negative sanctions

How do Functionalism, Marxism, and Feminism differ in their views of social control

• what debate exists between them on this topic

Give x of agencies of formal social control

• methods of control

• effectiveness of each agency in achieving social conformity

Give x of agencies of informal social control

• give examples of positive and negative sanctions 

• give effectiveness of each agent of informal social control

What is deviant and non conformist behavior (in comparison and by itself)

Social control can be resisted/ Some resist social control through protest groups and sub cultures. Why do ppl join them (in detail)

Give examples of

• protest groups

• online sub-cultures

• youth sub-cultures

• religious sub-cultures

There are 4 key aspects of social identity. What are they? And do they impact individuals and social groups in different societies

What are the positive and negative impacts of social networks, social media, and virtual communities on identity

what do state, outline, define, and suggest mean 

What is Globalization and What is its impact on individual and social/cultural identities (as answers put the 3 egs)

Cultural Diversity, Multiculturalism, Global Culture all have positive and negative impacts on identity. Cite them

Postmodernists view identity as chosen rather than given. Describe Digital Identities (& identities linked to consumption patterns and lifestyle in a ‘pick and mix’ society in answer)

What do assess, discuss, justify, and summarize mean? 

what is social stratification?

give characteristics of social stratification in open and closed societies

Life changes can differ when affected by age, gender, ethnicity and social class

What are the 5 Life Changes?

Intersectionality of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class in understanding the impact of inequality on individuals 

idk man how each are affected. differences and similiarties in how all are affected and how they all come together to affect one in this

What is the Labeling theory on social inequality

• stereotypes

• master status

• self-fulfilling prophecy

What is Marxism’s view on social inequality

• exploitation of the proletariat

• ideological control

• poverty trap

• reserve army of labour

What are 3 attempts that have been made to reduce social inequality. Cite and describe each in short bullet points (they involve …)(also quickly put each has received x criticism like legislation has had feminist criticism & etc.)

1 use of legislation

2 welfare things

3 global impact of ngos

Give 5 sociological views/ criticisms these attempts have received (not for each and not for all)

Give effects of globalization on inequalities between societies

What is the impact of migration on societies (in short explanations bc bro)

Give 4 impacts global ecological issues have had on society

The influence of transational companies

Climate Change

Pollution

Urbanisation

Explain these 3 sociological explanations for global inequalities

• Marxist views of capitalist exploitations

• Colonialism

• Feminist ideas of patriarchy