Research Methods

A theory or explanation at the start of research that the research is designed to test.

• Research Question

• Sociological Study

• Hypothesis

• Research Aim

A small-scale test of a piece of a research project before the main research.

• Pilot Study

• Practice Study

• Test Run

• Experiment

When the findings about a sample can be said to apply to a larger group or people sharing their characteristics.

• Sample answer

• Generalisability

• Results

• Method

When each person has an equal chance of being selected.

• Snowball Sampling

• Quota Sampling

• Stratified Sampling

• Random Sampling

Deciding in advance how many people with what characteristics to involve in the research and then identifying them.

• Snowball Sampling

• Quota Sampling

• Random Sampling

• Cluster Sampling

When one respondent puts the researcher in contact with others.

• Stratified Sampling

• Random Sampling

• Snowball Sampling

• Opportunity Sampling

Issues that have a moral dimension, such as when harm or distress may be caused to the participants.

• Ethical issues

• Social issues

• Statistical issues

• Research issues

A standardised list of questions used in a social survey.

• List

• Questionnaires

• Social questions

• Experiment questions

The systematic collection of information from a sample, usually involving a questionnaire or structured interviews.

• Observations

• Interviews

• Social questions

• Social surveys

Someone who provides information to researchers, usually used for surveys and interviews rather than other methods.

• Respondent

• Person

• Teacher

• Student