Research Considerations

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  • Research Considerations
    • Influences on choice of research topic and method (PET)
      • practical issues
      • ethical issues
      • theoretical issues
      • reliability, generalisability and validity
        • generalisability - whether the method enables the findings to be generalised to similar groups
        • validity - whether the chosen method provides a true, genuine or authentic depiction of what is studied e.g qualitative data generally has a high validity but less reliability
    • practical issues
      • time and funding available
      • how easily the researcher can access the place of the group to be studied
      • whether the researcher has the personal skills needed
      • availability of existing data
    • ethical issues
      • avoid harmful consequences of either those being researched or the researcher
      • avoid deception
      • informed consent
      • respect the privacy and anonymity of those taking part
    • theoretical issues
      • whether a functionalist, marxist etc approach is adopted and how this impacts the choice of topic
      • whether a positivist or interpretivist approach is adopted and how this influences choice of research method
    • theory and methods relationship
      • positivists - argue that sociology is a scientific discipline and therefore use the most scientific research methods
        • quantitative methods with high reliability and objectivity
      • marxist and functionalists - use positivist methodologies as they believe that through science we can move forward as a society
      • interpretivists - chose to study individuals - should not use scientific methodologies inc unstructured interviews and participant observations
        • feminists apply these methods as they argue science is male dominated and oppresses women and we should understand individual women
        • action theories apply these methods
        • high in validity and verstehen

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