The research questions guide the types of data to be collected in a study” (p.146). The study is designed to answer the research question and the research question helps the readers better understand what the study is about. Research questions are made up of a couple of elements. According to Polit and Beck (2010) in quantitative studies, “research questions identify the key study variables, the relationships among them and the population under study. The variables are all measurable concepts and the questions suggest qualification” (p.154).
General Guidelines for Evaluating Supportive Evidence * In determining the rigor of the science supporting a particular policy, procedure, or practice, most professional organizations have recommendations and guidelines for evaluating research study adequacy. * Greater scientific credence has often been assigned to findings based on quantitative research approaches. Randomized experimental group designs are considered “gold standard”. * Internal validity: the extent to which the research design controls for extraneous or confounding variables, variables that could support an alternative explanation for the findings. * External validity/selection bias: the number of study participants and how participants are selected, with greater external validity assigned to studies with a larger number or participants who are randomly assigned to experimental conditions.
Assess the claim that a sociologist’s choice of research method is primarily influenced by theoretical factors (20 marks) It can be claimed that theoretical issues primarily influence the choice of research method of the researcher. However there are many other factors that need to be considered when choosing a research method such as that of ethical and practical issues. Practical issues include time and funding whilst ethical issues include whether the researcher deceives the subjects and theoretical issues include validity, reliability and representativeness. Whilst positivists prefer quantitative data, interprevists favour qualitative data. Choice of subject is also affected by society’s values and funding bodies.
This process is continued until the required number or a saturation point has been reached, in terms of the information being sought. Judgemental or purposive sampling: Purposive sampling (also known as judgment, selective or subjective sampling) is a sampling technique in which researcher relies on his or her own judgment when choosing members of population to participate in the study. This type of sampling is extremely useful when you want to construct a historical reality, describe a phenomenon or develop something about which only a little is known. This sampling strategy is more common in qualitative research, but when you use it in quantitative research you select a predetermined number of people who, in your
The Risky Shift Phenomenon “Social psychologists have found that when people are asked to make judgements about a particular issue or problem these judgements are different depending on whether they are made alone or with other people. Discuss the strengths and weakness of Cultural Value and Informational Influence explanations of this phenomenon” A lot of research has been carried out over many years about the decision making styles of individuals and groups. Individual decision making is based on one’s self concept and views about themselves. Individuals may make decisions depending on their past experiences, their ability to recognise and translate related stimuli in their immediate environment and the way they relate to other people. Individual decision making depends on one’s self-concept.
To control or eliminate these threats, controlled experiments are done. 4. The quantitative method is a research technique the produces measureable results that can be analyzed statistically. The qualitative method of research produces subjective results or results that are difficult to quantify. With the qualitative method, there is more room for interpretation.
In analyzing as well as comparing the humanistic and biological approaches to personality one can result to difference in opinions. Abraham Maslow did study the development of personalities based on the human needs. His needs hierarchy portrays the influence of human needs to formations of peoples’ unique and individual personalities. There are some biological factors which does influence formation of one’s personality which usually plays a major role. Through reviewing the relationships that are there between Maslow’s theory and biological factors we will be in a position to see some focused similarities as well as its upcoming.
| | | |In your own words define ‘external validity: | | >> “External validity is the degree to which the conclusions in your study would hold for other persons in other places and at other | |times.” Basically, external validity can be generalized to other groups and situations beyond those in the experiment. External validity| |is the result of one sample assuming it would be the same result for the rest of the population. External validity also relates to a | |study in a specific area
Theoretical issues are important factors for influencing sociologists’ choice of method when deciding how to research a topic. Although, there are other factors that also have to be considered such as practical and ethical issues. Positivists believe that the method should produce information that is objective as possible but also produce data is representative and reliable that can then be used in statistics for government research but is collected through questionnaires and other quantitative methods. On the other hand, Interpretivists like to look at the qualitative data that includes structured/unstructured interviews and participant observation. This means that the research is more detailed and in depth, but is also more valid.
In quantitative research the researcher is not going in blind as they might in qualitative, they have an idea of what they want to achieve and the sort of information they need to find in order to do so. The most commonly used techniques for this form of research are surveys, particularly using scales, rating or other number based forms, and experimental