Aims, Hypotheses & Pilot Studies (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Revision Note
Exam code: C200
Choosing a research area and method
Sociologists often choose to study areas that interest them personally or are linked to their own experiences
E.g., someone who plays sport might research participation in sport
Professional sociologists may select topics that help progress their career or fit the priorities of their university or employer
A sociologist’s own values and beliefs can influence what they choose to study, e.g., aiming to improve society or influence government policy
Governments and organisations sometimes guide what is researched by funding or commissioning particular studies
This can mean sociologists study topics the government wants information about, such as crime, education, or health
However, sociologists are expected to research these issues scientifically and fairly, even if they are government-funded
Different sociological perspectives influence topic choice:
Marxists focus on inequality and class conflict
Feminists research gender inequality and how to improve the lives of women
New Right sociologists might look at traditional institutions such as the family or education
Sociologists also have to decide which research method to use
E.g., if they are collecting primary data, they can choose between questionnaires, interviews, observations or experiments
The choice of method depends on several factors, including the researcher’s skills, the type of data they want to collect, and the time and cost involved
Funding
Funding is one of the biggest influences on what gets researched
Sociological research can be expensive, especially when it involves paying researchers, travelling, or providing resources for participants
Main sources of funding include:
universities
charities
private companies
government departments
Funding bodies act as gatekeepers, as they decide which research projects to support
E.g., charities like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Shelter are likely to fund research into poverty or housing
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funds a wide range of sociological studies in the UK
Some topics may not be funded because they are controversial or go against the interests of the funding body
E.g., a drinks company would be unlikely to fund research into the negative effects of alcohol consumption
Interests and availability
Trends in society influence what areas sociologists study
Topics such as social media, cyberbullying, and mental health attract increasing interest and funding
Researchers often choose topics they can easily access or that relate to their own lives
E.g., a student might study friendship groups at school because it’s part of their everyday experience
Accessibility is a practical issue—sociologists are more likely to study groups they can reach easily
E.g., a teacher might research classroom behaviour, as they already have direct access to students and school settings
The availability of time, money, and participants also affects research choices
Aims and hypotheses
Sociologists carry out research to collect evidence to contribute to our understanding of modern society
Research findings provide important information for policy makers, governments and local authorities
Once a sociologist has carried out a literature review, they will ask questions that have not been addressed yet
During this research process, they try to answer these questions in the form of research aims or hypotheses
Aims | Hypothesis |
|---|---|
Research aims give the study a clear focus by outlining the researcher's intended investigation. | A hypothesis is a prediction of what the sociologist expects to discover. Written as a testable statement, it will either be supported or refuted by the evidence. |
Researchers use a variety of sources to formulate their research questions, aims, and hypotheses, such as:
one of their earlier studies in which they found something unexpected or intriguing
their review of existing literature on a specific topic
new technological advancements, like social media
their own personal interests and experiences
significant and current social issues, such as the cost of living or the current political climate
Pilot studies
A pilot study is a small-scale trial study carried out before the main research
It usually involves a very small sample of participants
It allows the researcher to practice and check whether the main study will generate relevant data that can help answer the research questions and aims
During a pilot study, the researcher can test the chosen research methods and ensure that they are appropriate and cost-effective
A pilot study helps identify and address potential problems, such as:
ambiguous or confusing phrasing of questions
repetitive questions
the questionnaire takes too long to complete
A pilot study is an important part of the research process, as it may save time, money and effort in the long run
Worked Example
Here is an example of an applied research methods question:
A researcher planned a sociological study that looked at poverty among school children. They carried out a pilot study first.
Explain two advantages of using a pilot study for this research.
[4 marks]
Model Answer:
Identify one advantage in the context of the question:
A pilot study allows the researcher to test their questions about poverty before the main study [1 mark]
Explain the advantage in the context of the question:
This helps them check if pupils understand the questions about sensitive issues such as family income or access to school resources [1 mark]
Identify the second advantage in the context of the question:
A pilot study helps the researcher spot and fix practical problems in the research design [1 mark]
Explain the advantage in the context of the question:
E.g., they might find that some pupils find the questionnaire too long or confusing, allowing them to make improvements before the main study [1 mark]
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