OCR GCSE SOCIOLOGY BASICS

OCR GCSE SOCIOLOGY BASICS

1. Questionnaires

   • a list of questions which is completed by a number of respondents 
   • self completion questionnaires
     • Respondent completes the questionnaire themselves and returns it to the researcher 
   • interview questionnaires
     • questions are read out to the respondent by the researcher, who then record the respondents answers.
   • closed questions
     • respondents are given a list of options or a two way choice and have to pick the one they most agree with.
   • Open questions
     • Respondents are free to answer the question the way they like; no option given.
   • advantages and disadvantages
     • advantages=cheap,large number of respondents,trends detected disadvantages=biased,low response rate,out dated.

2. Interviews

   • structured interviews
     • set of standardised pre-set questions read out to the respondents by the researcher.
   • Un-structured interviews
     • Flexible interview; its more like a conversation, rather than having a set of questions, researcher may have topics/ ideas to discuss.
   • Semi-structured interviews
     • In between a structured and unstructured interview.
   • Focus group
     • Several people may be interviewed at the same time and may discuss the answers.
   • Advantages and disadvantages
     • advantages=high response rate, in-depth responses, reactions seen. disadvantages=time taking,costs,interview bias,social desirability.

3. Observations

   • Participant observations
     • Researcher joins in with the group being studied and acts as they do whilst completing the study.
   • Non-participant observation
     • Researcher watches the group without getting involved with what they are doing.
   • Covert observation
     • the researcher does not let the group being studied know they are being observed.
   • Overt observation
     • Researcher tells the group that they are being observed and does not attempt to hide presence from them 
   • Advantages and disadvantages
     • advantages=objective,natural behaviour seen,no deception. disadvantages=difficult to gain access, observer effect, ethics 

4. Content analysis

   • method used for studying the content of media.
   • Operationalise
     • to define what exactly is meant by the term used for categorisation
   • Advantages and disadvantages
     • advantages= cheap, comparisons can be made,easy use. Disadvantages=biased, no in-depth data.