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Sociological Research Methods (GCSE Past Paper) Written by Fate

The questions I have answered in the following essay have been taken from the cie IGCSE sociology 2009 question paper. 1. A) What is meant by participant observation? (2) Participant information is where the researcher gets involved with the group he is researching. B) What is meant by quantitative data? (2) Quantitative data is a numerical piece of information or a question that is answered with a number. For example: How many children exhibited those signs? 47 C) What is meant by reliability? (2) Is the data reliable? Would it be possible to verify it by performing the same method of research again, or do you have to go on the word of whoever gave it to you? 2. Describe the difference between participant and non-participant observation. (4) Participant observation is where the researcher will get involved with the social group he is researching whereas non-participant observation is when the researcher does not get involved in the actions of the social group he is researching. 3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of carrying out overt observation? (4) Being an open and known observation it would most probably be the only method that can give an accurate picture of group interaction and allows new research ideas to emerge while researching, giving better results. Meanwhile a disadvantage may be the fact that the research could mean that the validity of the research could be damaged due to the effect of the observer. 4. Describe two problems in carrying out covert operations. (4) One problem of carrying out covert operations is that you don’t get the input of other members of the group, causing you to write up the study in a biased manner. Another problem that may occur is the fact that the observer may have difficulty gaining access to the social group, especially if the group in question is something like a cult or closed off group. 5. Describe two reasons why participant observers may find it difficult to record their observations accurately when studying a group (4) Because they are part of the observation and need to record the data later on they may find it quite difficult to do so. Another difficulty that may occur is the fact that the researcher may also become too identified with the group. 6. Describe two strengths and two limitations of qualitative data in sociological research. (8) One of the strengths is that sociologists will get valid and detailed accounts of social interactions/research; this is good because that way they have more to work on when going over it. Another strength is the fact that qualitative research provides the only way of studying certain social groups where quantitative research does not help. A limitation could be that many people feel that various forms are unethical, eg. Covert operations. This is bad as it could mean that the sociologist doing such research may not be respected for doing it. Another limitation is that due to the vast amount of research needed to be done, it can be very expensive and time consuming.