The document discusses various primary and secondary research methods that can be used for social research. It provides examples and advantages and disadvantages of two primary and two secondary research methods. For primary methods it discusses direct observation, where a researcher observes a group without becoming a member. Advantages include noting non-verbal cues and unexpected events, while disadvantages include potential personal bias and reactivity. It also discusses interviews which can provide additional insight but may not be as useful as direct observation. For secondary methods it discusses official statistics which can help form hypotheses and allow comparisons, but may be incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated. It also discusses mass media reports which can similarly help research but rely on other sources and may become outdated.

1. Major Research Methods Sources

2. Primary Participant Observation Direct Observation Experiments Interviews Questionnaires (Open, closed and coded) Surveys (Comparative and longitudinal) Sampling (Representative and random) Case Studies Hypothesis testing

3. Secondary Official Statistics (eg. social trends ONS) Published studies Other people’s diaries or personal documents Public records (e.g. birth, death certificates) Mass media reports Books (fictional and non-fiction, biographies and auto-biographies) Electronic media (Govt dept websites)

4. Pick two primary and two secondary Write five advantages and disadvantages of using each method for research

5. Example 1: Direct Observation In direct observation a researcher does not seek to become a member of the group to be studied and such observation is usually linked to other methods such as studies or questionnaires e.g. study of the behaviour of a small group of prisoners in Cortonvale Women’s Prison Interviews might also be used but might not be as useful as studying behaviour

6. Advantages… Non-verbal communication can be noted Unexpected events might be witnessed Interaction between group members classified

7. Disadvantages Personal bias may influence observations Presence of observer may influence behaviour of those being studied (depending on how behaviour measured – taped, recorded etc.) Time-consuming method of study

8. Example 2: Statistics Official agencies need facts in order to make decisions. These facts are expressed in the figures we call official statistics. Without evidence in the form of statistics it would be difficult for governments and agencies to make decisions. Statistics are often presented as tables, graphs, pie charts, histograms etc.

9. Advantages Can help you to establish your hypothesis Can link together variables in your research Allow you to compare countries or present with the past

10. Disadvantages They may be incomplete or inaccurate The may be biased They can go out of date quickly

11. Specific problems with crime statistics Some communities report crime less than others Some crimes reported less than others Police activity varies from force to force Size and nature of the police force may influence crime figures Police more trained and highly equipped increases detection not incidence of crime Some crimes more likely to be discovered than others The media can create crime More laws create more crime (mobile phones/ cars) Public attitudes change and increase apparent crime Clear up figures for crime might be similarly misleading