1.2.3
Research Design
Factors that Affect the Choice of Topic
Factors that Affect the Choice of Topic
The sociologist’s perspective, society's values, practical factors and funding can all affect the choice of topic in a sociological study.
The sociologist’s perspective
The sociologist’s perspective
- The theoretical viewpoint the sociologist has will affect what they want to study.
- E.g. Marxists would be interested in class inequalities in society.
Society’s values
Society’s values
- When values in society change so does the focus of the research sociologists undertake.
- For example the increase of feminism in 1960’s led to further research on gender equality.
Practical factors
Practical factors
- Accessibility can be a barrier to studying a topic.
- For example studying global corporations may prove difficult to gain a sample and an insight.
Funding bodies
Funding bodies
- To undertake research sociologists often need funding to cover the costs of their study.
- There are funding bodies who can provide economic support such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
- As the funding body is paying for the research they may state what they want to be studied.
The Research Process
The Research Process
When a sociologist conducts their research there are several stages that take place before the research is published. These are covered below.
Formulation of a hypothesis
Formulation of a hypothesis
- A hypothesis is a general explanation that can be tested by collecting evidence that can be proved or disproved.
- This is presented as a statement e.g.:
- Middle class students outperform working class students.
- The sociologist will then either confirm or disprove this.
- Positivists favour this approach as it is scientific.
Formulation of an aim
Formulation of an aim
- An aim is more appropriate than a hypothesis in some research studies.
- An aim is broader and outlines what the researcher intends to study.
- Intepretivists favour this approach as it allows the research to be guided by the participants.
Choice of method
Choice of method
- Next a sociologist must choose their method.
Operationalising concepts
Operationalising concepts
- This is where the concepts within the sociologists aim/hypothesis are broken down to identify how they will be measured (operationalised).
- E.g. identify how to measure the concept of social class.
Pilot study
Pilot study
- A pilot study is a draft version of the research which is carried out on a small sample.
Data collection
Data collection
- The research is carried out in full.
Publish findings
Publish findings
- The sociologist interprets the data and analyses their data to identify their conclusions.
- A report will be written that details the sociologist's research process and their findings which will then be published.
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
Jump to other topics
1Theory & Methods
1.1Sociological Theories
1.2Sociological Methods
2Education with Methods in Context
2.1Role & Function of the Education System
2.2Educational Achievement
2.3Relationships & Processes Within Schools
3Option 1: Culture & Identity
3.1Conceptions of Culture
3.2Identity & Socialisation
3.3Social Identity
3.4Production, Consumption & Globalisation
4Option 1: Families & Households
4.1Families & Households
4.2Changing Patterns
4.3The Symmetrical Family
4.4Children & Childhood
5Option 1: Health
5.1Social Constructions
5.2Social Distribution of Healthcare
5.3Provision & Access to Healthcare
5.4Mental Health
6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare
6.1Poverty & Wealth
7Option 2: Beliefs in Society
7.1Ideology, Science & Religion
7.2Religious Movements
7.3Society & Religion
8Option 2: Global Development
8.1Development, Underdevelopment & Global Inequality
8.2Globalisation & Global Organisations
8.3Aid, Trade, Industrialisation, Urbanisation
9Option 2: The Media
9.1Contemporary Media
9.2Media Representations
10Crime & Deviance
10.1Crime & Society
10.2Social Distribution of Crime
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