1. Evaluation of Research Methods
National 5 Added Value
Evaluation of Research Methods

2. What will I learn? Learning Intention
Access the strengths and weaknesses of two research methods
Success Criteria
By the end of the lesson I will be able to:
Explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative research methods
How to conduct research
The advantages and disadvantages of research methods

3. What's expected? Research methods:10 marks
For two methods of research you have used to collect information during your assignment, you should comment on:
why you chose each method for your research
strengths and any weaknesses of each research method
you may also suggest how you could do things differently
You should refer to the research evidence you have brought into this assessment for each research method.

4. Social Research
For the Added Value Unit (AVU) of your National 4 course or your National 5 Assignment, you will be asked to carry out research.
This should help you prove/disprove your Hypothesis and will be structured under each of your aims.

5. Look at existing information Look at historical information
Where do we find the information?
Social scientists (you) will use a variety of different ways to find information:
Ask people
Observe what people do
Look at existing information
Look at historical information
Look at pictures, videos, magazines
Read novels or personal accounts
Written information
Verbal information
Visual information
Comparison of cultures or societies
Study over a period of time
Asking someone

6. The Three Stages of Social Research
You are required to select at least two different research methods to help you find out about the information for your aims.
There are many types of research methods used in Modern Studies but they are all based on gathering, evaluating and interpreting information.

8. Primary/ Secondary research
All research can fall under tow categories: Primary and Secondary.
Primary information is information that you yourself have collected straight from the source. Primary information can come from:
Writing letters for information
Interviews
Surveys and Questionnaires
Statistics
Taking notes on a visit

9. Primary/ Secondary research
Secondary information is information that you can use but which someone else will have produced, for example:
The media (TV, radio, and newspapers)
Websites
Texts
Reports

10. Quantitative/ Qualitative Methods
There are different types of information you could collect:
Quantitative
Those focus on numbers and frequency
Quantitative methods include questionnaires, surveys (information that can be put into a chart and graphs)
Information is easy to analyse
Cost effective and time effective as there is lack of involvement from researcher. Face to face contact is not required
However for results to be reliable you need a high number of people being questioned

11. Quantitative/ Qualitative Methods
Descriptive data which is usually written
Includes case studies and interviews
May be less reliable than quantitative methods, but information is more in depth and descriptive
A lot of input is required from researcher as they need to carry out face to face contact with participants.
However, a lower number of participants are used for qualitative data

12. Questionnaires
Questionnaires are a valuable way of collecting a wide range of information from a number of people.
When planning your questionnaire it is important to have an idea of what you want to find out. When writing your questionnaire you must consider how you word it. If people do not understand a question it may lead them to give a different answer. The questions should therefore be clear and concise.

13. Questionnaires
An effective questionnaire has lots of different types of questions. Closed questions are specific and have a choice of answers. More people tend to return surveys that use closed questions. Open questions do not give the respondent a set of answers to choose from. Remember to use a wide range of questions: Knowledge questions, factual questions, opinion questions, and motivation questions. Questionnaires should be sent to a wide range of people in order to draw conclusions. This includes women, men, different ages, and a variety of ethnic and religious groups.

14. Questionnaires – Advantages and Disadvantages
Can be sent to lots of people which will give you a good idea of what the widespread opinion is on an issue
It will produce quantitative data (numerical evidence). Conclusions can be drawn. You can add up results and present it in a graph or pie chart
All respondents are asked the same list of questions so it is easy to compare answers.
It is less expensive and time consuming than other methods of research.

15. Questionnaires – Advantages and Disadvantages
Not everyone who you send a questionnaire to will respond.
Some respondents may not answer all of the questions
If the questionnaire is not completed face-to-face then the researcher cannot clarify any questions.
Questionnaires usually don’t give respondents the opportunity to elaborate on their answers

16. Questionnaires – Make your own questionnaire
Activity 1
Questionnaires – Make your own questionnaire
You should now make a list of questions that you would like to find out about to support you research your aims. Remember to choose your categories for responses

17. Questionnaires – Evaluate your own questionnaire
Activity 2
Questionnaires – Evaluate your own questionnaire
Collect a copy of the ‘Evaluation of Research Methods’ sheet.
Think about what is good and bad with your questionnaire. Do you anticipate any problems when carrying this out? Will it be reliable? For example will you get a wide range of ethnic groups in Turriff?
Using pages 223 – 226 of course notes book, complete the ‘Evaluation’ section for this research method.
Remember you will need at least 2 advantages and disadvantages worth 5 good points for this research method at N5. It must mention your research area.

18. Internet Research
The internet gives you a variety of opportunities in social research. With one click of a button you have access to millions of different websites with relevant information.
It is important that you search appropriately. If you narrow the search engine you can focus on key words you’re interested in e.g. ‘Labour party opinion on the Scotland Bill’. You must also select reliable information. Websites such as Wikipedia can contain inaccurate information. Websites like the BBC are unbiased and therefore very accurate and useful for research.

19. Internet Research
When you are carrying out internet research it is important that you keep a record of the different sites you have visited and the dates on which you did so
Date visited
URL
Usefulness
Notes
Sunday 8 November 2015 
The Scottish parliament should be granted full powers over the timing and organisation of a second independence referendum. Want amendment to Scotland Bill.

20. Internet – Advantages and Disadvantages
A variety of information available, including official government data and news organisations.
You can cross reference information with other websites to check for accuracy
You can find out opinion of people who you probably wouldn’t be able to contact for primary research

21. Internet – Advantages and Disadvantages
There can be too much information to pick out the most relevant pieces.
It can be difficult to tell what information is reliable and often who is responsible for the publication.
Information can be biased and influence your opinion.

23. Interview – face to face Survey / Questionnaire
Method
Advantages
Disadvantages
Internet
Library Visit
Interview – face to face
Interview - telephone
Visit and Observation
Newspapers
Survey / Questionnaire
Government Reports
Official Statistics
TV Documentary
Letter Writing