Quantitative research methods

Quantitative research methods

1. Lab experiments

   • Scientist can control different variables
   • Experimental group
     • exposed to the independent variable that the researcher believes may have a particular effect
     • Control Group
       • Are not exposed to the independent variable- their conditions are kept constant
   • Practical Issues
     • Open systems- sociologists say lab experiments are only suitable for studying closed systems where the research can control however society is anon system
       • unsuitable for studying social phenomena
     • Individuals are complex
     • Only study small samples
     • Hawthorne effect
   • Ethical Issues
     • Informed consent
     • Harm to subjects
   • Theoretical issues
     • Reliability snd hypothesis testing
       • Representativeness
         • internal validity
           • interpretevism and free will

2. Field experiments

   • A field experiment differs from a lab experiment in two ways
     • Takes place in the subjects natural surroundings
       • Those involved do not know they are the subjects
   • Actor tests and correspondence tests
   • The comparative Method
     • Carried out only in the mind of the sociologist

3. Questionnaires

   • Close ended- open ended
   • Quick and cheap
     • Data easy to quantify
       • No need to recruit and train interviewers
   • Limitations- data is often limited and superficial
     • May need to add incentives to complete which adds to cost
       • Might not receive the questionnaire
   • low response rates
     • hard to investigate unfamiliar topics
       • they are inflexible