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Summary - research methods
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SociologyResearch Methods
Notes
Introduction: What is in the exam paper?
First section of Paper 2 (before inequalities)
Source A – quantitative source (graph/chart/table)
Source B – qualitative source (description of a study)
Total marks for research methods – 45
Total marks for inequalities – 60
Interpretvist
Interpretivist approaches to research differ from positivist ones in their emphasis on qualitative
data and focus on context
Positivist
Positivism depends on quantifiable observations that lead to statistical analyses. Factual
knowledge gained through observation (the senses), including measurement, is trustworthy.
Positivist approach
A positivist approach to research seeks to research sociological and social problems in a
scientific way. It focuses on gathering quantitative data that is reliable, objective and collected
,in a rigorous way. Durkheim was a positivist researcher as in his study of suicide he focused on
correlations and causes, things that were directly measurable, social facts and causal
relationships in order to explain this social problem. He advocated that sociology should be
viewed as a science because this approach can predict social behaviour.
The research process
Factors influencing the choice of topic
Social problems – aspects of social life which cause misery/anxiety
- E.g., Crime, child abuse, domestic violence, poverty
- Often sponsored by government
- Social policy/government then aim to reduce these problems
Sociological problems – any aspect of social life
- Marriage/divorce
- The workplace
- Sexuality
Social policy
Social policy – the ways societies across the world meet human needs for security, education,
work, wealth and wellbeing.
Aim
To investigate something
Example – to investigate whether women earn less than men
Pilot studies
, A pilot study is a small-scale rehearsal of the study. This can be used to check ...
1. Whether questions are clearly understood and interpreted in the same way
2. That the participant doesn’t get upset or harmed
3. That the sampling techniques used is successful in obtaining the right type of people fill
the questionnaire
4. If interview teams are well trained
5. If the data produced is the kind that is wanted
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a statement which predicts the outcome of the research
E.g., White men aged between 25-30 will commit more burglaries per year than white men aged
between 30-35
Each part of the hypothesis must be operationalized
Sampling
Focus research on a specific group
Practical – easier, cheaper and less time consuming to focus research on a small group
Some research also requires a representative sample
Two main types:
- Random – all participants have the same chance of being selected (E.g. names out of a
hat)
- Non-random – deliberately target specific groups/participants
- This doesn’t always matter (E.g. Qualitative research which may look for detailed
meaning from a small sample)
Exam question
With reference to Source B, explain two reasons why sociologists operationalise
concepts (6 marks)
Source B:
Smith and Holland – Gender stereotypes in nursing homes
Smith and Holland conducted an observational study into gender stereotypes in nursing homes.
They observed the way that carers interacted with elderly residents for a one week period to see
if they reproduced stereotypes during their interactions. The researchers used a behaviour
checklist to collect their data. The checklist operationalised stereotyped behaviours to
categories such as ‘Carer calls female resident ‘love’’ or ‘Carer greets male resident with a high
5’. They then tallied each time the behaviour occurred and compared their findings at the end of
the week
Answer:
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