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Applied Methods of Sociological Enquiry

Designing a sociological research project

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Choosing a research area, aims and hypotheses, positivism and interpretivism, choosing a method, pilot studies, sampling, analysing data, mixed methods and triangulation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What does research design involve, and what shapes the choice of research area?

Key term

How do positivism and interpretivism differ, and which methods does each prefer?

Key term

What is research design?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is research design?

    Model answer

    Research design is the plan a sociologist makes for how a study will be carried out. The plan covers the topic, aim, method, sample and how the data will be analysed.

  2. 2

    What factors influence a sociologist's choice of research area?

    Model answer

    A sociologist may choose a topic from personal interest, earlier research or current social issues. The chance of gaining access and the views of funding bodies also affect the choice.

  3. 3

    What is a research aim?

    Model answer

    A research aim is a general statement of what a study sets out to investigate. An aim might be to explore how teenagers use social media.

  4. 4

    What is a hypothesis?

    Model answer

    A hypothesis is a testable statement that predicts a relationship between two or more factors. A hypothesis might predict that girls spend more time on homework than boys.

  5. 5

    Why would an interpretivist researcher often use an aim rather than a hypothesis?

    Model answer

    Interpretivists want to explore people's meanings without deciding the answer in advance. An open aim lets unexpected findings emerge from the research.

  6. 6

    What is positivism?

    Model answer

    Positivism is an approach that studies society scientifically to find patterns and causes. Positivists prefer quantitative methods such as questionnaires and official statistics.

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