Research methods/methods in context
PERVERT
Practical:
Use of time.
Costs.
Will the method work in its setting?
o If it’s suitable, e.g. unstructured interviews will be more suitable to build trust for
obtaining more sensitive and personal information).
Ethical:
Issues of deception and consent (arises from covert observation).
Duty of care when dealing with young children.
If the study may cause harm in any way (psychological, emotional or physical).
Privacy and anonymity of the subject.
Reliability:
If the research was repeated, would it produce the same results?
Validity:
Does the research show a true picture and give a true understanding about the topic
studied?
Hawthorne effect – when participants change their behaviour because they know they are
being observed, which affects validity.
Examples:
Provide examples if possible.
Representativeness:
Is the sample researched large enough to be representative of the whole population?
Theoretical issues:
Is it associated with positivists or interpretivists and why?
1
PERVERT
Practical:
Use of time.
Costs.
Will the method work in its setting?
o If it’s suitable, e.g. unstructured interviews will be more suitable to build trust for
obtaining more sensitive and personal information).
Ethical:
Issues of deception and consent (arises from covert observation).
Duty of care when dealing with young children.
If the study may cause harm in any way (psychological, emotional or physical).
Privacy and anonymity of the subject.
Reliability:
If the research was repeated, would it produce the same results?
Validity:
Does the research show a true picture and give a true understanding about the topic
studied?
Hawthorne effect – when participants change their behaviour because they know they are
being observed, which affects validity.
Examples:
Provide examples if possible.
Representativeness:
Is the sample researched large enough to be representative of the whole population?
Theoretical issues:
Is it associated with positivists or interpretivists and why?
1
