EL STUDY HUB
UNISA SOC3701
EXAM REVISION GUIDE
Research Methodology
Student-created educational resource
For revision and educational purposes only.
DISCLAIMER
This is an independent student-created resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official publication of the
University of South Africa (UNISA). It is intended to support revision, not to provide an answer key for an active
assessment. Students should use current official UNISA materials for assessment requirements.
EL Study Hub • Page 1
, CONTENTS
1. Quantitative and qualitative research
2. Research questions
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Sampling techniques
6. Mixed methods
7. Research problems and designs
8. Hypotheses
9. Thematic analysis
10. Ethics
SOURCE-BASED REVISION MATERIAL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
MODULE CODE: SOC3701
MODULE NAME: THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
QUESTION 1
1.1 Research Focus
Quantitative research is all about numbers. This research design looks at things we can count
or measure, like statistics, to test whether a theory is true or not. It also helps researchers
prove or disprove ideas and find patterns that apply to large groups of people using data.
On the other hand, qualitative research focuses on quality— things that cannot be measured
with numbers, like thoughts, beliefs, feelings, experiences, and meanings. This research
design aims to explain how people think and behave and why they think or behave in that
way.
Research Questions
Quantitative data focuses on questions which can be answered with numbers and statistics.
This research design makes use of close-ended (yes or no) questions as well as multiple
EL Study Hub • Page 2
UNISA SOC3701
EXAM REVISION GUIDE
Research Methodology
Student-created educational resource
For revision and educational purposes only.
DISCLAIMER
This is an independent student-created resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official publication of the
University of South Africa (UNISA). It is intended to support revision, not to provide an answer key for an active
assessment. Students should use current official UNISA materials for assessment requirements.
EL Study Hub • Page 1
, CONTENTS
1. Quantitative and qualitative research
2. Research questions
3. Data collection
4. Data analysis
5. Sampling techniques
6. Mixed methods
7. Research problems and designs
8. Hypotheses
9. Thematic analysis
10. Ethics
SOURCE-BASED REVISION MATERIAL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY
MODULE CODE: SOC3701
MODULE NAME: THINKING SOCIOLOGICALLY: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
QUESTION 1
1.1 Research Focus
Quantitative research is all about numbers. This research design looks at things we can count
or measure, like statistics, to test whether a theory is true or not. It also helps researchers
prove or disprove ideas and find patterns that apply to large groups of people using data.
On the other hand, qualitative research focuses on quality— things that cannot be measured
with numbers, like thoughts, beliefs, feelings, experiences, and meanings. This research
design aims to explain how people think and behave and why they think or behave in that
way.
Research Questions
Quantitative data focuses on questions which can be answered with numbers and statistics.
This research design makes use of close-ended (yes or no) questions as well as multiple
EL Study Hub • Page 2
