Methods of Research

Methods of Sociological Research

Questionnaires are a commonly used research tool. They are cost-effective and deliver large amounts of data quickly.
They can be closed-ended (providing set responses) or open-ended (allowing unrestricted answers).
Their major strength lies in providing quantitative data, but can be criticised for lack of depth.

Interviews can be either structured, semi-structured or unstructured.
Structured interviews utilise pre-determined questions, similar to a questionnaire but delivered in person.
Semi-structured and unstructured interviews allow for more open questions and flexibility, generating qualitative data.
Interviews enable the researcher to gain in-depth understanding, but are time-consuming and potentially influenced by interviewer bias.

Observer involvement distinguishes between non-participant (the researcher watches from a distance) and participant observation (the researcher joins the group being studied).
This method offers rich, detailed data, but ethical issues arise, particularly with covert participant observation - where the group is not aware they are being observed.

Experiments are not common in sociology due to ethical and practical issues.
They can provide clear causality but can lack ecological validity because of artificial environments.

Secondary data involve data that someone else has collected.
This includes statistics, official reports, books, and journal articles.
They provide wide range of existing information, however, the data may not be directly applicable to the researcher’s question.

Ethnography involves extended, detailed study of a group or culture.
It may involve interviews, observations, and secondary sources to produce a comprehensive understanding. Ethnography can be criticised for its potential for researcher bias and issues of access and time.

Content Analysis entails studying documents, films, and other cultural products to unearth sociological themes.
Its strengths include providing extensive overview of cultural norms and trends, yet it suffers from subjectivity as interpretation of material can vary.

Understanding sampling techniques helps ensure representative research.
Random and systematic sampling selects participants using chance, aiming for broad representation. Quota sampling and stratified sampling uses categories to ensure specific representation.
Snowball sampling finds participants through networks or contacts, typically used when studying small, hard-to-reach groups.

Always remember the PET considerations (Practical, Ethical, Theoretical) in research. Each method has potential drawbacks and benefits in these areas.
Practical issues encompass matters of time, resources, and data access.
Ethical issues involve obtaining informed consent, protection from harm, maintaining privacy and respecting confidentiality.
Theoretical issues consider the type of data each method can provide, interpreting them in relation to sociological theories and perspectives.