Sociology UNIT 1

Research Methods:

• Types of Data:
• Primary Data- Carried out by the sociologists or the person themselves- eg. interviews.
• Secondary Data- Other Peoples Research- eg. Newspapers/Official Statistics etc.

Slide 2

• Some research methods may include:
• > Interviews
• >Observations
• >Questionnaires
• >Surveys
• Quantitative Data: Numeric Form.
• Qualitative Data: Written and Detailed research.

Slide 3

Slide 4

• Primary Research Methods:
• >Postal Questionaires
• >Interviews
• >Observations
• (aim to know 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of each).
• Secondary Research :
• > Official Statistics
• >News papers
• >Diaries

Official Statistics :

• Advantages:
• > Cheap to access
• > easy to get hold of
• >may supply you with information from a long time ago.
• (Official statistics may include- birth rates, suicide rates, marriage rates etc.)
• Disadvantages:
• >May lack validity
• > May not give the reason behind why rates are the way they are- eg. Marriage Rates.