Research Methods

Truthfulness and accuracy of data gathered using qualitative methods.

• Qualitative data
• Validity
• Representativeness
• Generalisability

The ability to repeat research and obtain the same results. Data is gathered through quantitative methods.

• Representativeness
• Reliability
• Generalisability
• Objectivity

Data which is accurate, valid and expressed in word form. It takes feelings and emotion into account.

• Qualitative data
• Quantitative data
• Validity
• Reliability

Data in large amounts expressed in numerical/statistical form to help identify trends and patterns.

• Qualitative data
• Quantitative data
• Representativeness
• Objectivity

When the group being studied can account for the whole population, accounting for all social minority groups and diversity.

• Generalisability
• Representativeness
• Operationalisation
• Survey

Taking a word which is open to interpretation and making it measurable.

• Operationalisation
• Questionnaire
• Structured interview
• Survey

There is a set of fixed, predetermined questions which are presented to every participant in the same order and in the same way.

• Structured interview
• Semi-structured interview
• Unstructured interview

The population is divided into characteristics of importance (e.g. class/ethnicity) and a proportionate amount of people will be chosen from each category to reflect the population.

• Stratified sampling
• Systematic sampling
• Snowball sampling

Asking participants to recommend others to take part in the research.

• Systematic sampling
• Snowball sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Random sampling

Theory which believes some areas of sociology can be measured scientifically and some can't, so they rely on methodological plurality to collect both qualitative and quantitative data.

• Realism
• Interpretivism
• Positivism