Sociological Methods & Research Design (AQA A Level Sociology): Exam Questions

Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.

Item C

Before they begin research, sociologists have to make choices about which research methods to use. Positivists favour methods that are more likely to generate quantitative data as they want to discover laws of human behaviour. Others prefer methods that enable a sociologist to gain a deeper understanding of why people behave in certain ways.

Alternatively, it could be argued that practical and ethical factors are more important influences on a sociologist's choice of research method.

Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the view that theoretical factors are the most important influence on a sociologist's choice of research method.

Outline and explain two reasons why sociologists may choose to use research methods that produce quantitative data.

Outline and explain two ways in which research design may be influenced by feminism.

Outline and explain two ethical issues that sociologists using primary quantitative methods would have to consider when carrying out their research.

Outline and explain two reasons why sociologists' research may not always be objective.

Outline and explain two problems of using primary qualitative methods in sociological research.