Sociological Methods: Practical Factors

Influencing Choice of Methods

Method Issues...

Different methods all have specific problems.

These problems are: Practical Ethical Theoretical

Practical Issues: Time & Money

Large scale studies may req. dozens of interviewers & data- inputting staff.

Small scale projects might req as few as a singe researcher.

Lone participant Obs. Studies are cheap, but take a lot longer to complete.

Practical Issues: Requirements of Funding Bodies

Funding Bodies are: research Inst., businesses, & other organisations.

Often require results to be in a particular format.

Sociologist will have to use a method which can produce such data, i.e. questionnaires, structured interviews

Practical Issues: Personal Skills &

Characteristics Each Sociologist has

different skills; this affects their choice in methods used for research-strengths/weaknesses.

Part. Observation Req’s good social skills, heightened observation & recall skills etc...

In depth interview req’s ability to build rapport....

Practical Issues: Subject Matter

Some groups are easier to study using one method over another.

Example: a male sociologist will likely find it hard to study an all female group via participant observation.

Likewise, written questionnaires are useless studying people who cannot read.

Practical Issues: Research

Opportunities Opportunities can be

spontaneous & so structured methods which take longer to prepare, like questionnaires are not possible to use.

Example: Glasgow gang leader offered 'out of the blue' a chance to James Patrick (1973) to hang with his gang. Patrick used participant observation as there was no time to use a more structured method.

Practical Issues Summary

Time & Money play a significant role in the length and depth of the study.

Funding bodies impose their own expectations on the sociologist.

Not all sociologists are equipped with the same social skills which affect their research options.

There are various limitations on subject matter and how it can be studied.

Research opportunities are often spontaneous and thus the sociologist is not able to adequately prepare.

Check Your Learning

Name two practical issues that might affect a researcher's choice of method.

Work with a partner. Write the question and your answers in

your notes. Come up with your own examples-- one

for each.

Next Up...

Ethical Issues