Summary
Summary - research methods
- Module
- Research methods
- Institution
- OCR
ocr sociology notes for research methods
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
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:
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller AmeliaSmart. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £7.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
83100 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now