Research Design, Research Considerations | Sociology for A Level - Year 13 PDF Download

Research Design

Factors that Affect the Choice of Topic

Several elements influence the selection of a research topic in sociology, including the sociologist’s perspective, societal values, practical considerations, and funding sources.

• The Sociologist’s Perspective: The theoretical lens of a sociologist shapes their research focus. For instance, Marxists are likely to explore class disparities within society.
• Society’s Values: Shifts in societal values influence the direction of sociological research. For example, the rise of feminism in the 1960s spurred increased studies on gender equality.
• Practical Factors: Practical limitations, such as accessibility, can hinder the study of certain topics. For instance, researching global corporations may be challenging due to difficulties in obtaining a sample or gaining insider perspectives.
• Funding Bodies: Sociological research often requires financial support to cover expenses. Funding organizations, such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), may provide this support but could dictate the research focus based on their priorities.

The Research Process

​Sociological research involves multiple stages before findings are published. These stages are outlined below.

• Formulation of a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a testable statement that can be supported or refuted through evidence.  For example: "Middle-class students achieve higher academic outcomes than working-class students." Sociologists then work to confirm or disprove this statement. Positivists prefer this method for its scientific approach.
• Formulation of an Aim: In some studies, an aim is more suitable than a hypothesis.  An aim broadly defines the research’s purpose and allows flexibility, often guided by participants’ input. Interpretivists favor this approach.
• Choice of Method: The sociologist selects an appropriate research method to conduct the study.
• Operationalising Concepts: This involves defining how key concepts in the hypothesis or aim will be measured. For example, determining how to quantify "social class" for the study.
• Pilot Study: A pilot study is a preliminary trial of the research conducted on a small sample to refine the process.
• Data Collection: The full research is conducted, collecting data according to the chosen method.
• Publish Findings: The sociologist analyzes the collected data to draw conclusions. A comprehensive report detailing the research process and findings is written and published.

Research Considerations

Sociologists must address various factors when designing research studies, including practical, ethical, and theoretical considerations, as well as the usefulness of the data collected.

Influences on the Choice of Research Topic and Method
Three primary areas of concern shape sociological research planning, summarized as "PET":

• Practical issues
• Ethical issues
• Theoretical issues

Key Issues in Social Research

• Beyond practical, ethical, and theoretical concerns, sociologists must consider reliability, generalisability, and validity when evaluating research methods.

Reliability

• Reliability refers to the ability of a research method to be replicated by other researchers to verify results. Consistent or similar outcomes across repeated studies indicate a reliable method.

Generalisability

• Generalisability describes whether findings from a study can be applied to similar populations or groups.

Validity

• Validity assesses whether a research method accurately captures the true essence of the subject being studied. Qualitative data typically offers high validity but lower reliability.

Practical, Ethical, and Theoretical Considerations

Sociological research planning revolves around three core concerns, known as PET: practical issues, ethical issues, and theoretical issues.

Practical Issues
Practical considerations include:

• Available time and funding for the study.
• Accessibility to the research site or group.
• The researcher’s personal skills and characteristics.
• Availability of existing data.
• Career pressures, such as meeting deadlines and publishing results.

Ethical Issues
Researchers are responsible for protecting participants and ensuring their well-being. Key ethical considerations include:

• Avoiding harm to participants or the researcher.
• Avoiding deception by being transparent about the study’s purpose.
• Obtaining freely given informed consent from participants.
• Respecting participants’ privacy, interests, and anonymity (confidentiality).

Theoretical Issues
Theoretical considerations involve:

• The adoption of a functionalist, Marxist, or feminist perspective and its influence on the choice of research topic.
• The choice between a positivist or interpretivist approach, which shapes the selection of research methods.

The Relationship Between Theory and Methods

Theoretical Considerations

• Theoretical perspectives are central to sociological research, as they shape how sociologists view the world and design their studies.

Positivists

• Positivists view sociology as a scientific discipline and favor methods like laboratory experiments and official statistics, which are highly reliable and objective.

Marxists and Functionalists

• Both Marxists and functionalists adopt positivist methodologies, believing that scientific approaches advance societal understanding.

Interpretivists

• Interpretivists focus on studying individuals and reject the idea that sociology should emulate scientific methods. 
• They use non-scientific methods to capture individual experiences.

Interpretivist Methods

• Interpretivist methods, such as unstructured interviews and participant observations, are favored by interpretivists. 
• Feminists also use these methods, arguing that science is male-dominated and oppressive to women, emphasizing the need to understand individual women’s experiences in a patriarchal society.

Action Theories

• Action theories employ interpretivist methodologies, prioritizing methods that produce data high in validity and verstehen (empathetic understanding).
• When planning research, sociologists must navigate practical constraints, ethical responsibilities, and theoretical frameworks. The theoretical perspective often plays the most critical role in shaping the research process.