eBooks Topic Summaries

A-Level Sociology (AQA)

Topic Summaries

Research methods

Comparing research methods

Method	Strengths	Weaknesses	Examples
Laboratory experiments	Precise measurement of independent and dependent variables Allows testing of cause-and-effect relationships High reliability due to standardised procedures Easy to replicate for verification Better control over extraneous variables	Low ecological validity; artificial setting affects natural behaviour Often impractical or unethical for studying social groups Risk of physical or psychological harm to participants Limited to small samples which may be less representative of populations Risk of Hawthorne effect (participants change behaviour under observation)	👤 Milgram’s (1963) obedience study (electric shock experiment)
Field experiments	Higher ecological validity due to natural settings Can observe real-world behaviour while manipulating variables, reducing demand characteristics Combines some control with realism	Lower control over extraneous variables. Harder to replicate Potential ethical problems such as deception or lack of informed consent Practical difficulties (time, cost, unpredictability)	👥 Rosenthal and Jacobson (1968) teacher expectations and the Pygmalion effect
Comparative method (👤 Durkheim)	Uses secondary data for large-scale analysis across societies Avoids many ethical issues Useful for historical and cross-cultural comparisons Cost-effective and practical	Limited control over original data collection methods Data may be incomplete, inaccurate, or not directly suited to research aims Risk of ignoring cultural context	👤 Durkheim’s (1897) Le Suicide comparing suicide rates across Europe
Questionnaires	Can collect large amounts of data quickly Reliable and standardised through identical questions Representative if random sampling is used Cost-efficient for large populations	Low validity due to closed questions and superficial responses Risk of low response rates Answers may be false or influenced by social desirability bias	UK Census, taken every 10 years to collect demographic data
Structured interviews	High reliability due to fixed wording and standardised order of questions. Allows interviewer to clarify misunderstood terms before recording data. Can ensure all relevant topics are covered. Typically a higher response rate than questionnaires.	Lacks flexibility, cannot follow up interesting responses Produces less depth and personal detail Interviewer effect/bias may still influence answers Time-consuming compared to questionnaires	Government Labour Force Survey
Unstructured interviews	High validity due to open-ended, conversational style of questions and interviewing Allows exploration of meanings and personal experiences Encourages trust and rapport between interviewer and participant	Time-consuming to conduct and analyse Smaller sample sizes limit generalisability High risk of interviewer bias through verbal and non-verbal cues. Data analysis is complex	👤 Ann Oakley’s (1974) interviews on women’s experiences of motherhood
Participant observation	Provides rich, highly valid data from direct experience Insider status helps understand meanings and group norms Covert observation reduces reactivity	Ethical issues, especially with covert research (lack of consent, deception) Time-consuming and emotionally demanding Hard to replicate, so reliability is low Risk of Hawthorne effect if overt	👤 Willis’ (1977) Learning to Labour study of working-class boys in school
Non-participant observation	More objective as the researcher remains detached Enables study of groups that a researcher could not realistically join Less disruption to the group Suitable for studying dangerous or sensitive contexts	Limited depth of understanding Difficult to capture motives behind behaviour Greater risk of Hawthorne effect if participants know they are observed	OFSTED school inspections, observing lessons without direct participation

Unlock Comparing research methods

Sign up to unlock the rest of this topic — plus every other topic, video, flashcard set and eBook guide in your SnapRevise+ subscription.

Choose your plan

Cancel anytime — instant access the moment you sign up.

Previous Theoretical perspectives and ethical considerations Next Role and functions of the education system