Participant/Non-Participant
What is participant observation and non-participant observation?
Participant observation is when researchers put themselves in the situation of participants in hopes of understanding the point of view of the participant. Non-participant observation is when a researcher observes but does not participate. They do not engage at all.
What is a questionnaire?
A questionnaire is a set list of questions to collect information and analyze data
What are the two types of experiments?
Laboratory experiment and field experiment
What is in an interview?
An interview consists of a researcher and an interviewee, where the researcher is usually given prompts or questions to ask.
What are case studies and longitudinal studies?
Case studies is detailed research on one or more examples of people and things. The "case" can be a place or person or thing, such as a factory. Longitudinal studies are carried out over a long period of time (years)
What is covert and overt participant observation?
Covert is when participants do not know the research is happening. Researchers must deceive participants so as to not affect their normal behavior. This is usually used when researching crime or deviant behavior. This can be immoral. Overt is when participants know the research is happening to gain consent. This is ethical as participants know they are being studied.
What are the strengths of a questionnaire?
Cheaper than structured interview, the answer can not be influenced, allows the survey to be spread out to a larger demographic, and convenient
What is the difference between laboratory and field experiments?
Laboratory experiments are set in a lab. They can control the variables and surroundings to fit their needs. Field experiments are set in naturally occurring settings, such as the streets. This ensures accurate data to be collected.
What are the differences between unstructured interview and semi-structured interview?
In an unstructured interview, the researcher is given a prompt or an outline of the topic, but they are given complete flexibility over the questions. In a semi-structured interview, the researcher is given a list of questions or topics that need to be covered. However, they have flexibility over the wording and the order.
Provides deep and detailed information on a case, allows different aspects of the case to be studied, produces findings that can be tested elsewhere, possible to draw wider conclusions.
What are the strengths of participant observation?
The data obtained is valid as researchers can study the group's normal behavior over a period of time. A deep understanding is obtained.
What are the weaknesses of a questionnaire?
Prone to misunderstanding, low response rate, respondents may leave questions unanswered, and unknown respondents (researcher does not know who answered it)
What are the strengths of experiments?
It is the closest research method to studying natural sciences; thus, it's a valid way to obtain quantitative data. It is mostly used to find causation and correlation. It minimizes subjectivity. In field experiments, it is an effective way of getting inside group behavoir.
What is focus group interviews?
Focus group interviews are interviews asked in a group setting to save time and money. Researchers are not only looking at how an individual answers but how they answer as a member of a group and their response to others. Our opinions form based on the views of others.
What are the weaknesses of case studies?
It can not be replicated, researchers must be involved; thus, the research can become subjective, and findings may only apply to the case, so generalization can not be made.
What are the limitations of participant observation?
Reliability is low as it can not be replicated. Researchers must have certain characteristics to deceive the participants. Researchers may become subjective once they understand the point of view. Researchers must devote their time and commitment. Generalization can not be made. Hawthorne Effect.
What is a sample and a sample frame?
A sample frame is the list of all possible respondents in a research, where the sample is taken from. A sample is a chosen group of people to answer or conduct the research.
What are the flaws/weaknesses to experiments?
In a laboratory setting, the presence of a researcher may cause the Hawthorne Effect, where the respondent provides questions that are the most ideal. In a field experiment, there are ethical issues, risks (such as backlash from the people), and loss of control.
What are the strengths of interviews?
They can assess the honesty and validity of an answer, the flexibility allows them to probe deeper and bring out more information, and it provides valid data on the point of view of the respondent (who are able to say what they really think)
What are the strengths of longitudinal studies?
Allows us to see different factors affecting the findings, the commitment provides valid data, and shows how people's lives change overtime like a film.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of non-participant observation?
Strengths: Avoid Hawthorne Effect
Weakness: Ethical issues when the group does not want to comply or cooperate. Researchers do not gain an understanding of participants' behavior.
LIST all the types of ways samples can be chosen and describe shortly
Random sample (respondents are chosen at random), stratified sample (respondents are split into divisions to get a representative), systematic sample (there is a pattern), snowball sample, cluster sample (respondents are chosen at a specific geographical loation), opportunity sample (anyone who is available), and quota sample (respondent must fit into a standard)
Shortly explain positivism and interpretivism
Positivism is a research method that closely resembles natural science in hopes of getting quantitative data. Researchers aim for objectivity to find correlation or causation. They prefer questionnaires and experiments. Interpretivism is a research method that states that sociology can not be researched like natural science because humans are conscious and make decisions. Researchers want to understand human actions and the reason behind why they do what they do. They prefer unstructured interviews and participant observation.
What are the weaknesses of interviews?
The Hawthorne Effect: in the presence of a researcher, the respondent may answer based on what they think is ideal, not what they really think. It is time-consuming, and less reliable as it can not be replicated, and generalisation can not be made as the questions are not the same.
What are the weaknesses of longitudinal studies?
Requires an extensive amount of time and commitment, the Hawthorne Effect (when respondents change their behavior and answers to fit the ideal in the presence of a researcher), and people can drop out because of death or emigration.