Research Methods recap

Who prefers qualitative data because it is high in validity so true meanings and feelings can be found?

Answer explanation

Interpretivists value qualitative methods as they seek to gain Verstehen (empathy and understanding) with participants which can only be found through in-depth qualitative data.

Representativeness focuses on the sample rather than the total population

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Representativeness is all about whether the SAMPLE selected to participate represents the characteristics of the wider population.

For example, if I was researching why 18 year old boys commit crime and I have 24 year old females in my sample, it would not be representative of who I am trying to investigate.

If something is high in validity, what will it always be low in?

Answer explanation

Remember, reliability and validity are like a see saw, when a research method is high in validity it will always be low in reliability and vice versa!

What type of data do Positivists prefer?

Answer explanation

Positivists prefer quantitative data as it can be measured and patterns and trends can be found from the data.

What type of strength / weakness focuses on time, cost and access?

• Ethical

• Practical

• Theoretical

What kind of strength / weakness focuses on protecting the participant and researcher from harm?

• Theoretical

• Practical

• Ethical

What kind of strength / weakness focuses on which theorists like / dislike the type of data / research method used?

• Practical

• Ethical

• Theoretical

The ethical guidelines a researcher must follow are set out by the BSA - what does BSA stand for?

• British Science Association

• Biological Sociological Acclamation

• British Sociological Association

• Behavior Science Assocation

Which theorists argue that sociological research is malestream (carried out on males then assumed findings can be applied to women).

What does Verstehen mean?

• Empathy and Understanding

• True insight

• Trust and relationship

• Replicable