Basics of research methods

Basics of research methods

1. Sociologists have three aims when collecting and using data

   • Realiable reasrech can be repated to get the same results. Realiable da is data that another reaeracher would be able to get by usuing the extract same methods.
     • Sociological reasrch isn't genrerally as reliable as reaserch in the natural sciences (physics and biology)
   • Valid data is a true picture of what the reasercher is trying to measure.
     • Even reliable data isn't always valid. For exmaple, you could use emplyment satsistics to measure how many people don't work. This wouldn't give a true picture, because these statictics don't include staudents who don't work, or people who re unable to work.
       • There are several reasons why reasearch may not give a true picture
         • Respodenst in an interview may forget things, exaggerate or just plain lie, e.g they may say they recycle all their rubbish when really they don't
           • Asking people about their attitudes to an event a long time afterwards often isn't valid. people change their views over time, and may alter their description of the past in the light of theor current belifs.

2. Primary Data is collected First hand

   • The reaseracher collects primary information first hand; they find it themselves. You could use methods like interviews, questionnaires, observations or experiemets.
     • 1) Primary data is obatianed from first hand reaserach. It doesn't rely on another sociologist's reasearch and you can carefully choose your method to mak your data as valid and reliable as possible.
       • 2) Primary data is always brand new and bang up to date
         • 3) Some methods of getting primary data can be expensive and time consuming
           • 5) Some methods may be unethical if you don't give infored consent
             • 6) The reasearcher's own values may mess with the reasearch process. This craetes bias.
               • 7) You can't always get access to the group you want to study
         • 4) Some methods may put the reasearcher in a dangerous situation

3. Secondary Data is existing information

   • Secondary sources include offical statsitics, diaries, letters memoirs, emails, TV documentaries and newspapers. You gather the data toegther and analyse it, but you don't generate the data.
   • 1) You can quickly and easily collect secondary data.
     • 2) You can easily use secondary data to compare different societies
       • 3) With secondary data you can past events and sociceties. You can compare past and present.
       • 4) You don't have to worry about informed consent
         • 5) The exisiting data may not be valid or reliable; you're stuck with th way the reasearch was orginally done
           • 6) Documentaries may not be valid or crediable. Offical statsitics can be baised
             • 7) You can't always get access to the group you want to study