a level sociology (AQA) research method and methods in context summary sheet + key studies
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Course
A level sociology
Institution
A Level Sociology
research methods summary for a level sociology (specifically aqa but will cover all exam boards).
includes summaries of all the research methods, along with pros and cons for each, examples of studies for each method, research processes, education methods in context for a level aqa sociology.
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Quantitative data → numerical data, generalisable.
Qualitative data → written data, valid.
Triangulation → combining different qualitative and quantitative methods.
Validity - the extent to which something is true.
Representativeness - whether the sample is representative of the population.
Reliability - the ability to repeat and get the same results.
Theory in research methods
Positivists - scientific approach, prefer quantitative data, looking for patterns.
Interprevisitists- prefer qualitative data, seek to understand meanings.
Primary data
→ information collected by sociologists themselves. The information can be very
specific and fit their hypothesis.
E.g social surveys, participant observation, experiments.
Secondary data
→ information that has been collected by someone else but can still be used. This
is quick and cheap.
E.g documents, official statistics.
Factors influencing choice of topic:
● A sociologists perspective: their theory e.g new right would focus on the culture of
dependency and the links to lone parent families whereas feminists might focus on
the impact of the patriarchy.
- Also, a sociologist’s personal experience can shape what they research, e.g a
woman may research impacts of gender discrimination because it’s
something that personally resonates with her.
● Society’s values: the values of society at particular points in time will influence the
nature of the research.
● Practical factors: factors such as inaccessibility.
● Funding bodies: most research is funded by external sources, meaning that if the
research isn’t approved it won’t happen.
● Some populations are inaccessible - e.g criminals
, Process of research:
● Formulating an aim or hypothesis - a cause and effect statement.
● Operationalising concepts- it is hard to research things like social class because it’s
so broad, and the concept is abstract and hard to measure.
● Pilot study- small sample studies to iron out any flaws in research.
● Sampling
- Random sampling → sample selected by chance
- Stratified → breakdown of the population and then sample based on
the statistics.
- Quota → sampling based on quota given
- Snowball → collecting samples by key individuals recommending
people and then continuing.
- Opportunity → convenient sampling - e.g on the street.
Sampling frame - a list of everyone in the target population from which a sample is drawn.
Sample - group of subjects in a study
Population - all individuals or objects within a certain population usually have a common,
binding characteristic or trait.
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