Ruth’s Sociology Resources Blog


Planning & Evaluating Research

Posted in Uncategorized by Ruth on the April 22nd, 2006
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This page is useful for anyone planning a piece of research but also specifically for students taking the OCR AS methods exam.

When planning research you need to think about the following aspects:

What am I trying to find out?

In the exam you will be asked to fulfil certain criteria in your research design – make sure you have carefully read the item which gives you all the necessary data
Are there any issues with operationalisation of concepts? (eg – how will you measure “effectiveness”?)

What kind of data do I need to collect?

  • Qualitative/quantitative
  • Primary/secondary

Who do I need to gather data from?

  • How will I operationalise this group? (eg if you are asked to gather data on “young people”)
  • How will I gain access? – is there a “gatekeeper” I need to apply to?

How will I draw my sample?

  • Representative/non-representative
  • Sample size
  • Random/non-random
  • How easy will it be to draw my sample? (can I find the relevant people?)

Which method will I use?

  • Does it produce the data required?

Lightning symbol Which method would you choose?

Evaluating Research


When evaluating research ideas you need to ask yourself the following questions:

  • How well does the method fit the question?
  • Are there any other methods you could have used to address the question?
  • Having read through the method do you have any questions about:
    • Sampling
    • Operationalisation of concepts – are there any concepts which need clarifying? How will concepts be measured?
    • Process – how exactly will it all be carried out? – could you carry out the research with just this information? – what would you need to clarify?

  • Are there any extra problems that you can foresee?
    • Practical
      • Actually carrying out the research – time, money, access, resources, finding your sample …

    • Ethical
    • Theoretical?
      • Operationalising concepts, coming from a particular standpoint

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