Tag Archives: research methods

Some (Relatively) Recent Examples of Participant Observation Studies

Posted on June 30, 2017 by

Participant observation is one the main research methods on the A level sociology syllabus, but many of the examples in the main text books are painfully out of date.  This post provides some more recent examples of research studies which … Continue reading →

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Good Resources for Teaching and Learning Research Methods

Posted on June 28, 2017 by

Being able to choose appropriate research methods and executing those methods effectively are absolutely essential if we are to collect valid, reliable and representative data, and below I present some links to some of the best resources which enable us … Continue reading →

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Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using questionnaires to the role of parents in pupils’ achievement

Posted on May 14, 2017 by

An example of a ‘methods in context’ question take from an AQA specimen paper – suggested strategy below… (05) Read item B, then answer the question below (hooks in bold) Item B Investigating the role of parents in pupils’ achievement … Continue reading →

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Using covert participant observation to investigate pupils with behavioural difficulties

Posted on April 28, 2017 by

An example of how you might answer a methods in context question on the AQA’s A level sociology paper 1. (05) Read item B, then answer the question below (hooks in bold) Item B Investigating pupils with behavioural difficulties Some … Continue reading →

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Methods in Context – Possible Method and Topic Combinations

Posted on April 25, 2017 by

Methods in Context- Here you need to be able to assess the strengths and limitations of using any method to research any topic within education. The different methods you need to be able to consider include – Secondary documents Official … Continue reading →

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Qualitative Data – Strengths and Limitations

Posted on April 24, 2017 by

Qualitative data includes…. Open question questionnaires Unstructured interviews Participant observation Public and private documents such as newspapers and letters. Theoretical strengths Better validity than for quantitative data More insight (Verstehen) More in-depth data More respondent-led, avoids the imposition problem. Good … Continue reading →

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Assess the Usefulness of Positivist Approaches to Social Research (30)

Posted on April 18, 2017 by

Just a few thoughts on how you might go about answering this question… if it comes up on paper 3 of the A level sociology exam  Paragraph one – outline the key ideas of Positivism Positivists believe that sociology can … Continue reading →

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Assess the View that Theoretical Factors are the most Important Factor Influencing Choice of Research Method (30)

Posted on April 17, 2017 by

Just a few thoughts on how you might answer this in the exam.  Introduction – A variety of factors influence a Sociologist’s decision as to what research method they use: the nature of topic, theoretical, practical and ethical factors. Theoretical … Continue reading →

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AS and First Year A Level Sociology – Whole Course Overview

Posted on August 17, 2016 by

An overview of the entire course for AS and first year A level sociology covering the following ‘modules’: Education with applied research methods (‘methods in context‘) Research methods Families and Households. The overview below is taken directly from the AQA’s … Continue reading →

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Research Methods – Key Terms for A Level Sociology

Posted on August 2, 2016 by

Definitions of core concepts covered as part of the research methods component of AS and A Level Sociology. Organised in alphabetical order – so effectively this is a research methods A-Z. If this is too much for you, then have … Continue reading →

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