Research methods key terms

Closed-ended questions are:

• Questions that can be answered using a limited number of words

• Questions that allow a limited choice of answers from a preset list

• Questions that require a verbatim answer

• Questionnaires that have a maximum of ten questions

A correlation is:

• A relationship or connection between two variables

• Where factors vary

• Where factors differ in social surveys

• A group of people who study rocks

Ethical issues are

• The study of people from minority groups

• The study of criminal activity / law breaking

• The study of issues in developing countries

• Issues of right and wrong: moral principles that should be followed when carrying out research.

Generalisable results are:

• Those that can be used to make general statements about the group being studied

• Results that show general findings about the target group

• Results that are too general to be representative of the target group being studied

• Results such as age, gender that are available for everyone

Qualitative data is:

• Good quality information that is considered highly valid

• Information, usually expressed in word, about people's thoughts, feelings, motivations, attitudes, values etc.

• Information in numerical form such as percentages, tables and graphs.

• Data that has been triangulated to ensure its quality

Quantitative data is

• Information expressed in words which is usually about people's attitudes, values and beliefs.

• Information that carries a lot of weight

• Information preferred by interpretivists

• Information in numerical form, e.g. percentages, graphs and tables.

Reliablility refers to:

• Research that can be repeated and will produce the same results using identical methods and procedures.

• Research that provides a depth of information and gets at the truth.

• Research that includes data from a cross section of the population

• Research that provides predicted results.

A social survey is

• Research that is carried out in the field

• Research that is carried out in social situations, e.g. on the street interviews

• Any research method that involves systematically collecting data from a group of people

• Observational research such as that completed in shopping centres

Objectivity refers to:

• The absence of bias or preconceived ideas

• Where information is interpreted and involves the researcher's own opinion

• This is used only in laboratory experiments where all the variable can be controlled

• The study of how people relative to institutions in socitey.

Primary data is

• Data gathered from primary schools

• Data gathered by a researcher carrying out their own research

• Data gathered by a research professional and used by others

• Data on the key institutions in society