Research methods: key terms
12 terms. Say the definition out loud, tap to check, then say whether you knew it. Back to the topic
These cards were written by the site from the specification, mark schemes and examiners' reports and are being checked by our Sociology tutor; tell us if you spot an error.
Validity
Whether research gives a true picture of what is being studied.
Exam tip Interpretivists prize it. In Methods in Context answers, link validity to the particular group in the Item.
Reliability
Whether the research can be repeated by another researcher and get the same results.
Exam tip Positivists prize it. Standardised methods such as structured questionnaires are reliable.
Representativeness
Whether the sample has the same characteristics as the wider group it is drawn from.
Exam tip Allows generalisation. Say what makes a particular sample unrepresentative, not just that it is.
Generalisability
Whether findings from a sample can be applied to the wider population.
Exam tip Depends on representativeness and sample size.
Operationalisation
Turning a sociological concept into something that can be measured, such as defining class by occupation.
Exam tip Common in questions on questionnaires and official statistics.
Sampling frame
The list of people from whom a sample is drawn, such as a school register.
Exam tip Problems: it may be out of date or exclude groups. Apply it to the Item's setting.
Snowball sampling
Finding participants by asking each one to put the researcher in touch with others.
Exam tip Used for hard-to-reach groups such as gang members. Not representative.
Hawthorne effect
People changing their behaviour because they know they are being studied.
Exam tip A problem for overt observation and for lab experiments; covert observation avoids it.
Interviewer bias
The interviewer's presence, appearance or questions influencing the answers.
Exam tip Applies to interviews; contrast with the impersonal postal questionnaire.
Informed consent
Participants agreeing to take part after being told what the research involves and that they can withdraw.
Exam tip An ethical issue. With pupils, parents and schools must consent too: a strong application point.
Verstehen
Weber's term for understanding behaviour from the actor's point of view by putting yourself in their position.
Exam tip The goal of interpretivist methods such as participant observation and unstructured interviews.
Triangulation
Using more than one method or source to check findings.
Exam tip Shows methodological pluralism; useful in evaluation paragraphs.
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