OCR A+ Level Sociology: Research
Methods
attrition - ANS-the loss of participants over the course of a longitudinal study
bias - ANS-the subject is presented in a one sided way which favours one point of view
more than others
case study - ANS-a detailed and in depth study of one particular group or situation
closed questions - ANS-Respondents are presented with either a list of options or a
two-way choice and have to select the response with which they most agree.
cluster sample - ANS-used when the population is spread out over a large geographical
area such as the whole of Britain. areas are selected at random and samples taken
from those areas in order to save time.
coding - ANS-the transformation of qualitative or quantitative data into categories for
analysis. computer software can be used to analyse coded data. some studies may use
more than one coder to provide inter-rater reliability.
correlation - ANS-the tendency of one variable to be found in association with
another. for instance, children who live in poverty do less well in education
covert observation - ANS-Where the researcher does not let the group being studied
know that they are being observed.
cross sectional - ANS-if a sample is cross sectional, then it will be made up of a range
of different people to represent the research population.
empirical data - ANS-data which is produced through experimentation or observation
ethical guidelines - ANS-BSA issue guidelines on how to conduct research in an
ethical and professional manner which include; not causing harm or embarrassment to
participants, consent, confidentiality, anonymity, right to withdraw, deception and
debriefing.
OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf
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ethics - ANS-ideas about what is morally right and wrong
ethnography - ANS-a detailed study of the way of life of a particular group in
natural settings
falsificationism/black swan thesis - ANS-Popper proposed that Positivism should seek
to find social facts through the testing and falsifying of hypotheses. one cannot
ultimately verify, only falsify.
feminism/feminist research ideologies - ANS-the theoretical perspective which attempts
to explain the status of women in relation to patriarchy. they believe that feminist
research should be interpretivist, focus on women's issues and challenge male power
and domination.
field research/work - ANS-the term used to describe the activity of collecting empirical
data in social settings
fitness for purpose - ANS-making sure that the methods and evidence you choose for
any piece of research are the ones that give you the best chance of completing your
investigation accurately and meeting your aims
focus group - ANS-several respondents are interviewed at once and are allowed to
discuss the questions being asked of them (while the researcher takes notes)
gaining access - ANS-being able to get into contact with the group or participants that
the researcher wants to study
gatekeepers - ANS-the person/people able to give the researcher access to the group
of participants. typically through giving formal permission to the researcher or gaining
the trust of the group
going native - ANS-when a researcher becomes so involved with the group that they
completely lose objectivity
hypothetical-deductive model - ANS-the process behind all scientific methodologies.
scientists make observations about the world and attempt to explain them through
theories. they devise hypotheses and a method of data collection in order to test the
hypothesis through empirical evidence.
insider status - ANS-belonging to a group; having access to the group's secrets or
OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf OCR A+ Level Sociology_ Research Methods .pdf