Sociological Approach
Research Methods – Sociology Unit 2
Sociological Approach
Sociological Research is important as it gives a more common sense understanding of the social world in which we live.
Quantitative Approach = involves collecting numerical data and social facts establishing correlations (statistical relationship exists between two things) and searching for ‘cause and effect’ relationships (one thing directly leads to the other).
Qualitative Approach = sees reality as objective and measurable through statistics. Should understand people’s actions, putting yourself in the shoes of those you research. A people centred approach to research collecting word centred data.
Primary Data = collected directly by sociologists as part of their research. …show more content…
Informed Consent = freely given consent by respondents into taking part in research. They should be told about nature and purpose of the research. * Participants should be able to refuse to cooperate and withdraw at any time.
Confidentiality = all data should be treated in the strictest confidence and anonymity should be guaranteed.
Effects on people being studied = essential participants are neither hurt nor disadvantaged by research. They should ensure no one is affected psychologically, physically or socially. * Likely to happen when researching sensitive areas, e.g. attempted suicide, victims of violence, eating disorders. * When research builds up ‘close’ relationships sociologists should exercise their professional judgement to ensure practice is correct and …show more content…
* Apart from structured interviews, tend to use open questions leading to qualitative data * Generate data high in validity * Lower in validity compared to questionnaires
Structured = formal, set list of questions * Closed questions, multiple choice * Positivists (scientific) – standardised, reliable and generate quantifiable results
Semi-structured = cross between structured and unstructured interviews. Common questions but others may occur in response to answers
Un-structured = in formal, any questions asked, each interview is different * Interpretive sociologists lead to qualitative data – high in
Sociological Approach
Sociological Research is important as it gives a more common sense understanding of the social world in which we live.
Quantitative Approach = involves collecting numerical data and social facts establishing correlations (statistical relationship exists between two things) and searching for ‘cause and effect’ relationships (one thing directly leads to the other).
Qualitative Approach = sees reality as objective and measurable through statistics. Should understand people’s actions, putting yourself in the shoes of those you research. A people centred approach to research collecting word centred data.
Primary Data = collected directly by sociologists as part of their research. …show more content…
Informed Consent = freely given consent by respondents into taking part in research. They should be told about nature and purpose of the research. * Participants should be able to refuse to cooperate and withdraw at any time.
Confidentiality = all data should be treated in the strictest confidence and anonymity should be guaranteed.
Effects on people being studied = essential participants are neither hurt nor disadvantaged by research. They should ensure no one is affected psychologically, physically or socially. * Likely to happen when researching sensitive areas, e.g. attempted suicide, victims of violence, eating disorders. * When research builds up ‘close’ relationships sociologists should exercise their professional judgement to ensure practice is correct and …show more content…
* Apart from structured interviews, tend to use open questions leading to qualitative data * Generate data high in validity * Lower in validity compared to questionnaires
Structured = formal, set list of questions * Closed questions, multiple choice * Positivists (scientific) – standardised, reliable and generate quantifiable results
Semi-structured = cross between structured and unstructured interviews. Common questions but others may occur in response to answers
Un-structured = in formal, any questions asked, each interview is different * Interpretive sociologists lead to qualitative data – high in