6.1.1
Research Design
Research Design
Research Design
Methods used to collect and analyse data to reach conclusions that either verify or prove the hypothesis wrong.
Key decisions
Key decisions
- Before you start your research project, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is it worthwhile?
- Is it doable? Are there any practical problems, i.e. time, money, and access?
- Will it be representative, i.e. will it be typical of the population? How can we ensure a good response rate? Will it be generalisable?
,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Key decisions cont.
Key decisions cont.
- Will it be valid, i.e. will it be accurate/ true to life?
- Will it be unbiased/ objective? How can issues of bias be eliminated?
- Will the research affect in any way those involved? What are the ethical considerations?
Establishing appropriate aims
Establishing appropriate aims
- State clearly the aims that the sociologists want to realise.
- Allow the reader to decide whether the research has achieved its aims.
- Use a methodology that might be possibly used later by other sociologists to further develop your study.
- Improve knowledge that already exists on a topic.
Formulating a hypothesis
Formulating a hypothesis
- A hypothesis is an educated guess of an idea that is then tested and can either be confirmed as correct or rejected as wrong.
- E.g. Fiona Devine wanted to test Goldthorpe’s idea of affluent workers. She proved him wrong. (Key study: Affluent workers revisited, 1992.)
1The Sociological Approach
1.1Introduction to Sociology
1.2Sociological Approaches
1.3The Consensus vs. Conflict Debate
2Families
2.1Functions of Families
2.2Family Forms
2.3Conjugal Role Relationships
2.4Changing Relationships Within Families
2.5Criticisms of Families
3Education
3.1Roles & Functions of Education
3.2Processes Within Schools
4Crime & Deviance
4.1The Social Construction of Crime
4.2Social Control
4.3Criminal & Deviant Behaviour
5Social Stratification
5.1Social Stratification
5.2Poverty as a Social Issue
6Sociological Research Methods
6.1Research Methods
6.1.1Research Design
6.1.2The Scientific Method
6.1.3Other Considerations
6.1.4Primary Sources
6.1.5Secondary Sources
6.1.6Surveys
6.1.7Sampling
6.1.8Questionnaires
6.1.9Interviews
6.1.10Observation
6.1.11Statistics
6.1.12Case Studies
6.1.13Longitudinal Studies
6.1.14Ethnography
6.1.15Experiments
6.1.16Small Scale Research
6.1.17End of Topic Test - Research Methods
Jump to other topics
1The Sociological Approach
1.1Introduction to Sociology
1.2Sociological Approaches
1.3The Consensus vs. Conflict Debate
2Families
2.1Functions of Families
2.2Family Forms
2.3Conjugal Role Relationships
2.4Changing Relationships Within Families
2.5Criticisms of Families
3Education
3.1Roles & Functions of Education
3.2Processes Within Schools
4Crime & Deviance
4.1The Social Construction of Crime
4.2Social Control
4.3Criminal & Deviant Behaviour
5Social Stratification
5.1Social Stratification
5.2Poverty as a Social Issue
6Sociological Research Methods
6.1Research Methods
6.1.1Research Design
6.1.2The Scientific Method
6.1.3Other Considerations
6.1.4Primary Sources
6.1.5Secondary Sources
6.1.6Surveys
6.1.7Sampling
6.1.8Questionnaires
6.1.9Interviews
6.1.10Observation
6.1.11Statistics
6.1.12Case Studies
6.1.13Longitudinal Studies
6.1.14Ethnography
6.1.15Experiments
6.1.16Small Scale Research
6.1.17End of Topic Test - Research Methods
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered