research methods (quantitative)

questionnaires

A document with pre set questions that can be sent to anyone, annywhere and respondents can complete it alone.

The answers are coded and collated into numerical data so that patterns and trends are identifiable.

Both open and closed questions can be asked, however closed questions are favoured to gather quantitative data. If more insight is necessary, some open questions are asked.

It is a quantitative method meaning it is preferred by positivists. It is also primary source of data

Questionnaires ( PET issues )

PA-quick and easy way of gathering large amounts of data from a large amount of people from all over the world.

PD-low response rate due to people not having time or forgetting.

EA-ethically sound as anonymity is present and consent can be gained, participants have the right to withdraw and no distress is caused

TA-ensures validity due to anonymity- no social desirability occurs meaning insight can be gained on highly sensitive subjects

TD-Lack of verstehen meaning validity can also be questioned as it only provides snapshots of quantitative data, leaving the researcher to spot patterns and trends which can be seen as subjective as they can impose their own meaning.

Questionnaire ( example )

National census

questionnaire sent out to the population of the UK that takes place every ten years. Provides the government with detail about the households in the UK. If it isn’t completed a fine of up to £1000 can be given along with a criminal record. It had a response rate of 97% in 2021. It is sent to all 22,000,000 households in the UK and published data is anonymous however data to the government isn’t. Gives an insight about ethnicity, household income, religion, household size, measure of poverty and it helps the government plan for funding for different public services.

office for national statistics (ONS) - england and wales

northern Ireland research agency (NISRA) - northern Ireland

national records of scotland (NRS) - scotland

longitudinal study

Research that is carried out over a long period of time using the same group of respondents who are contacted over several years. Longitudinal studies triangulate data to give a representative picture of what they’re studying. It gives us information about educational opportunities, families, careers, mental health and health or life expectancy.

It is preferred by positivists as it is a quantitative source of data and it is primary source of data.

Longitudinal studies ( PET issues )

PA-participants are easily accessible through volunteer sampling

PD-time consuming leading for it to be hard to stay in touch with participants due to moving houses, number changes etc

EA-consent is gained from participants and they have the right to withdraw

ED-consent is questionable as young people cannot fully consent and it is left up to the parents (ie seven up documentary was children who couldn’t fully consent)

TA-large scale and often has different groups of characteristics meaning it very representative

TD-social desirability can affect the validity of the data as sensitive subjects might be brought up such as poverty.

Longitudinal studies ( example )

seven up! documentary

documentary TV series directed by Michael Apted. It started in 1964 with 20, 7 year olds who are visited and filmed every seven years. The participants in the documentary differ due to ethnicity, gender, class, region, background and childhood care givers.

structured interview

A verbal questionnaire - a list of preset questions (usually closed) are asked by an interviewer who records the answers.

It is a quantitative method meaning it is preferred by positivists. It is a primary source of data.

structured interview (PET issues)

PA-higher response rate than questionnaires meaning it could be a good alternative or triangulation method

PD-more costly than questionnaires as interviewers need to be paid and trained, a venue could be needed and possibly an incentive for the participants

EA-ethically sound, no harm or distress is caused to the researcher or participant and consent is fully gained.

ED-confidentiality as it is face to face, although data can be kept anonymous the interviewer will still know and see the person.

TA-highly reliable due to standardised procedure and it’s easily replicated, meaning it can be repeated to gain more data

TD-low validity due to face to face nature, interviewer bias is at risk and social desirability.

Structured interviews (example)

The crime survey (england and wales)

ONS has a team of interviewers that go to people’s houses and ask about their perceptions of crime and their personal experiences with crime. 55,000 interviews occur a year. Subjects that are more sensitive are not asked by the researcher and the questions are passed over to participants for them to complete alone.

statistics

official statistics are published by the government (ONS).

There are three main ways to collect official statistics; registrations such as birth and death, national census, and government and private agencies such as schools, nhs and police.

Hard statistics are more valid, legally registered statistics such as birth, death and marriage. Soft statistics are less valid as they only contain some of the whole picture meaning there is a dark figure; crime, suicide and murder.

Statistics allow sociologists to identify trends and patterns in behaviour and allow the government to monitor the populations needs.

The two types of statistics are official and organisational, official are published by government whereas organisational could be just for a business or organisation such as schools and attendance.

It is preferred by positivists as it is a quantitative source of data. It is a secondary source of data.

Statistics (PET issues)

PA- free source of a huge amount of easily accessible data.

PD- not always available in a format suitable for the sociologist

EA- ethically sound as it is secondary data

TA- representative as its large scale.

TD- lacks validity due to the shipman effect - killed approx 200 people and was found guilty in 2003 meaning the midst rate went up in 2003.