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.