1. Immediate activity No notes, no discussion no books
Last week we learnt about two types of sociologists: Interpretivists and Positivists, which method would each of them use?
In reality most sociologists use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, this is known as TRIANGULATION.

2. Key terms focus

3. P.E.T Which part of PET does this picture relate to?

4. Formulating an aim or hypothesis
Most studies either have a general aim or a specific hypothesis.
An aim is a general statement about the topic we want to study.
A hypothesis is testable statement than can be accepted or rejected through the collection of evidence that either supports it or contradicts it.

5. Aim or hypothesis?
The relationship between family size and achievement
There will be a difference in educational achievement according to the family size of students.
Which type of sociologist will favour starting their research with a hypothesis and why?

6. Operationalising concepts
Ok so we have a hypothesis but how are we going to actually gather evidence to support or refute (disprove) it?
There will be a difference in educational achievement according to the family size of students.
We have to make each of the terms included in our hypothesis clearly defined and measureable.

7. Pilot studies
Sociologists who carry out surveys (questionnaires and structured interviews) often carry out a pilot study- this is giving out a draft version of the questionnaire before giving it out to your real participants.
Question: Why would it be important to give them out to people who have similar characteristics to your actual participants.

8. Spot the problems Do you worry that you may have halitosis? Yes/No
To improve:    Do you worry that you may have bad breath? Yes/No
Do you like fruits and vegetables? Yes/No
To improve:    Do you like fruits? Yes/No                         Do you like vegetables? Yes/No
Do you agree with most people that capital punishment should be restored?   Yes/No
To improve:  Do you believe that for some crimes capital punishment should be restored,   should not be restored or do you have no opinion? Yes/No/No opinion

9. Immediate activity No notes, no discussion, no text books
Positivist or interpretivist?
Society shapes people’s behaviour, we can predict behaviour patterns and make generalisations.
Our actions are based on individual meanings, we can’t assume that everyone will respond to the world around them in the same way.
These sociologist use qualitative data.
These sociologists use quantitative data.
These sociologists prefer to use questionnaires, structured interviews, official statistics and experiments
These sociologists prefer to use participant observation, unstructured interviews and personal documents
These sociologists focus on methods that produce reliable data
These sociologists focus on methods that produce valid data.
What should go on the line, practical, ethical or theoretical?
Ext: What would be in the mark scheme for the factors you did not pick?

10. Sampling

11. Sampling Techniques
Random sample/simple random sampling Stratified random sampling Systematic sample Quota sample Snowball sample Opportunistic sample

12. Explain what each method is...
Random sample – Each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. May use a computer/draw names from a hat/Lottery. Stratified random sampling – Want the sample to reflect the population, i.e., gender/age, etc. Divide the sampling frame up into these groups & take sample from each. Systematic sample – Take every nth name from the sampling frame Quota sample – Interview people from certain groups, i.e., young females who are at college. Snowball sample – Ask one member of a population who then puts you in touch with others, etc...

13. Your turn
Activity: The SMARTIE sample test. You will be each provided with a box of smarties .DON’T EAT THEM JUST YET, tally the different coloured smarties.
Is your box representative of all smarties boxes? Compare your tally with others in the room

14. GAME
Orange = white british girls Pink = white british boys Blue = asian etnnicity boys Yellow = asian ethncity girls Brown = mixed race boys Red = mixed race girls Purple = black girls Green = black boys
Look at your sample is it representative are there more of some groups than others ?

15. The Sampling Game
Jane wants to find out about how the attitudes of students affect their GCSE grades. She uses random sampling. Close your eyes and pick 10 random sweets.

16. The Sampling Game
Jane wants to find out about how the attitudes of students affect their GCSE grades. She uses stratified random sampling. Take one smartie from each colour

17. The Sampling Game
Jane wants to find out about how the attitudes of students affect their GCSE grades. She uses systematic sampling. Line all your sweets up. Take every 3rd sweet.

18. The Sampling Game
Jane wants to find out about how the attitudes of students affect their GCSE grades. She uses quota sampling. Take all female students.

19. The Sampling Game
Jane wants to find out about how the attitudes of students affect their GCSE grades. She uses snowball sampling. Choose one smartie. Then pick the 4 other smarties nearest it.

20. Work with a partner to investigate as many strengths and limitations of each research method and write it in your table.
Type of sample
Description
Strength
Limitation
Systematic Sampling
Random Sampling
Stratified random sampling
Quota sampling
Snowball Sampling
LO: Understanding different types of samples and their strengths and weaknesses.

21. Exam question
You have been asked as a sociologist to investigate why girls significantly out-perform boys in examination subjects such as Art and English.
Identify one way in which you could select your sample and explain why this would be appropriate. (4 marks)