A* Summary Notes - Research Methods

INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS

Reliability
+​ Refers to whether you can repeat your research and obtain similar findings.
+​ More likely to get reliable data from quantitative methods such as questionnaires.

Validity
+​ Refers to whether your findings are true and accurate.
+​ More likely to get valid data from qualitative research such as covert observations.

Representativeness
+​ Refers to who takes part in the research, not the method of gathering data.
+​ It is about the sample of people that represent the wider population.
+​ Bigger samples = more representative.
+​ Quantitative data tends to be more representative.

Practical Factors in Sociological Research
+​ Time and money:
-​ Large scale quantitative research can be expensive but take less time e.g. census
-​ Small scale qualitative research may be cheaper as it involves less people but may
take a long time
+​ Requirement of Funding bodies:
-​ Whoever is funding the research may require the data to be in a particular form e.g.
the government often funds quantitative research as they need statistics to prove
the effectiveness of policies
-​ They may also influence the topic studied.
+​ Personal skills and characteristics of the researcher:
-​ Sociologists will not always be able to access the groups they want to study e.g. a
woman would not be able to do observation in a male only members club
-​ Those wishing to do participant observation will need to be able to fit into a group in
terms of age, gender, ethnicity etc.
+​ Subject Matter:
-​ The topic or group you are studying may determine the method used e.g. self
completion questionnaires would not be appropriate for studying 5 year olds.
+​ Research Opportunity

Ethical Factors in Sociological Research
+​ Informed Consent
+​ Confidentiality
+​ Privacy
+​ Anonymity
+​ Sensitivity
+​ Protection from harm
+​ Avoidance of Criminal Activity

Theoretical Factors in Sociological research
+​ Positivists:
-​ Like research to be carried out in a scientific way.

, -​ Prefer quantitative research as they like statistical data high in reliability.
-​ You can identify correlations easily.
-​ Believe that you should focus on measurement rather than understanding.

+​ Interpretivists:
-​ Concerned with gaining an in-depth understanding.
-​ Prefer qualitative methods as you can get an insight into experiences and
meanings.
-​ Qualitative data = higher validity.
-​ Researchers can build a rapport = empathy built.
-​ These methods give verstehen to the research.
-​ Believe that research should focus on understanding rather than measurement.

Colosi: Ethnography of Lap-dancers
+​ Used overt participant observation and some unstructured interviews.
+​ Colosi was an actual paid lap-dancer.
+​ Ethical dilemmas:
-​ Difficult to inform all customers involved – limited access to the client base.
-​ Concerned with trying to not damage her relationship with her co-workers.
-​ Careful not to expose them without betraying trust.
-​ Hard to balance her ‘dual identity’.

QUALITATIVE METHODS

Examples of Research using Qualitative Methods
+​ Focus Group Interviews:
-​ Willis did group interviews with 12 working class boys known as the ‘lads’ to find out
their attitudes to school.
-​ He wanted to see how they interacted with each other in a group and found they
acted more naturally when with friends in a group.
+​ Semi-Structured Interviews:
-​ Pope did semi structured interviews with female football fans.
-​ Felt like women had to show their passion for football.
-​ Also found that many felt pressured by their male partners.
+​ Unstructured Interviews:
-​ Oakley wanted to address the experience of housework from the perspective of
women.
-​ Conducted 40 in depth interviews which aimed to give a voice to women.
+​ Covert Observations:
-​ McIntire and the study of the Chelsea headhunters.
-​ Simpson and the study of gay men and ageing.
-​ Patrick and the study of the Glasgow gang.
+​ Overt Observations:
-​ Colosi - lapdancers.
-​ Davis - study of the boy's gym.

Theoretical Factors and Qualitative Research
+​ Positivism:

, -​ Research should be objective and based on empirical evidence.
-​ Favour quantitative methods as they are higher in reliability.
-​ This method can identify patterns and trends, correlations and cause and effect
relationships.

+​ Interpretivism:
-​ Key focus of sociological research should be ‘verstehen’.
-​ Sociologists should build empathy.
-​ This increases validity.
-​ Qualitative research is best for this.

+​ Realism:
-​ They consider both the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches to find a
middle way.
-​ They adopt an approach called ‘triangulation’ which means using both qualitative
and quantitative methods.
-​ This ensures findings are both reliable and valid.

+​ Feminism:
-​ Research is often qualitative.
-​ Believe that empathy and rapport are essential when researching the lives of
women.

UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS​


Interviews that have no set questions so respondents can answer in as much detail as they
wish.


Theoretical


Advantages: Disadvantages:
+​ Favoured by interpretivists. +​ Criticised by Positivists.
+​ Provides detailed qualitative data. +​ No quantitative data.
+​ Low in reliability.
+​ High in validity.
+​ No standardisation of questions.
+​ Provides verstehen. +​ Difficult to identify patterns/trends and
+​ Can build a rapport. correlations.


Ethical


Advantages: Disadvantages:
+​ Does not involve deception or danger +​ Respondents may feel intimidated or
for participants. under pressure in a one to one
+​ Interview will not go ahead without situation.
consent. +​ Topic may be personal or sensitive
which may cause distress.


Practical