Research methods
Research Methods Overview
- Studying social behaviour requires effective tools and methodologies, collectively termed as Research Methods.
- These methods provide a systematic and organised approach to studying, understanding, and interpreting social behaviour.
- Research methods in sociology are broadly categorised into Quantitative and Qualitative methods.
Quantitative Research Methods
- Quantitative research employs statistical and mathematical techniques to convert data into numerical or statistical form.
- It is associated with positivism, which views society through an objective lens, emphasising facts and figures.
- Commonly used techniques include: Surveys, structured interviews, official statistics, content analysis and experiments.
Qualitative Research Methods
- Qualitative research provides descriptive data drawing on the words, feelings, and experiences of respondents.
- It is associated with interpretivism, which studies society from the subjective perspective of individuals within it.
- Qualitative techniques include: Observations, Unstructured interviews, Focus groups, Case studies, and Ethnography.
Use of Secondary Data
- Secondary data refers to the use of existing data that has been collected by someone else for a different purpose.
- This may include official statistics, disciplinary records, or published reports.
- Advantages include saving researchers time and effort, while challenges revolve around the data’s potential relevance, accuracy and objectivity.
Ethical Considerations in Research
- Ethical considerations are essential in order to conduct respectful, responsible, and valuable sociological research.
- Key principles include confidentiality, informed consent, avoidance of harm, and the right to withdraw.
- Ethical considerations may impact research design, as some methods may achieve scientific goals but cross ethical boundaries.
Researching Social Inequalities
- Investigating social inequalities involves researching areas like race, gender, class, and age which can result in unequal social outcomes.
- Quantitative methods may be useful to highlight statistical disparities, while qualitative methods can shed light on lived experiences.
- Intersectionality, a concept linked to social inequality, is crucial for understanding how multiple social identities can intersect to shape lived experiences. This requires a critical, layered approach to research design and analysis.
Validity and Reliability in Research
- Validity refers to the extent to which a research method measures what it claims to measure, ensuring the accuracy of results.
- Reliability represents the consistency and replicability of research findings.
- Balancing validity and reliability is crucial in all research design, and making triangulations in the choice of methods can aid this balance.