1. Research Methods in Sociology:
Exam Style Questions (2 Marks):
1) Explain what is meant by an ‘Interview Schedule (2 Marks)
2) Explain what is meant by an ‘Observation Schedule’ (2 Marks)
3) Explain what is meant by a ‘Longitudinal Study’ (2 Marks).
4) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Hypothesis’ (2 marks)
5) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Triangulation’ (2 Marks)
6) Explain briefly what is meant by a ‘Sampling Frame’. (2 Marks)
7) Explain what is meant by ‘Representativeness’ (2 Marks)
8) Explain briefly what is meant by the term ‘Validity’ (2 Marks)
9) Explain what is meant by ‘Primary Data’ (2 Marks)
10) Explain what is meant by ‘The Hawthorne Effect’ (2 Marks)
11) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Pilot Study’. (2 Marks)
12) Explain what is meant by ‘Quota Sampling’ (2 Marks)
13) Explain what is meant by ‘Qualitative Data’ (2 Marks)
14) Explain what is meant by a ‘Control Group’ (2 Marks)
15) Explain what is meant by ‘Rapport’ (2 Marks).
16) Explain what is meant by ‘Verstehen’ (2 Marks)
17) Explain what is meant by ‘Reliability’ (2 Marks)
18) Explain briefly what is meant by ‘Content Analysis’ (2 Marks)
19) Explain what is meant by ‘Generalisations’ (2 Marks)
20) Explain what is meant by an ‘Open-Ended Question’. (2 Marks)
21) Explain briefly what is meant by ‘Target Population’ (2 Marks)
22) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Variable’ (2 Marks)
23) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Overt’ (2 Marks)
24) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Snow-ball Sampling’ (2 Marks)
25) Explain what is meant by the term ‘Methodological Pluralism’ (2 Marks)

2. Exam Style Questions (4 Marks)
1) Suggest two types of random sampling technique (4 Marks)
2) Explain the difference between qualitative & quantitative data (4 Marks)
3) Suggest two problems a researcher might encounter when using secondary sources
(4 Marks)
4) Suggest two advantages of using official statistics in sociological research (4 Marks)
5) Explain the difference between self-completion questionnaire & a postal questionnaire
(4 Marks)
6) Suggest one advantage & one disadvantage of using an unstructured interview in
sociological research (4 Marks)
7) Explain the difference between reliability & validity (4 Marks)
8) Suggest two factors that might influence a researchers choice of research method
(4 Marks)
9) Suggest two ethical issues that might be present when using covert participant
observations (4 Marks)
10) Explain two disadvantages of using a longitudinal study (4Marks)
11) Suggest two factors that could be used to create a stratified random sample other than
gender (4 Marks)
12) Suggest two reasons a research might choose to use a semi-structured interview
(4 Marks)
13) Suggest two problems with the use of questionnaires in sociological research (4 Marks)
14) Explain one advantage & one disadvantage of using field experiments within sociological
research (4 Marks)
15) Explain the difference between a control group and an experimental group (4 Marks)
16) Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of using quota sampling in sociological
research (4 Marks)

3. Exam Style Questions (20 Marks)
1) Examine the extent to which practical issues are the most important influence when
selecting research methods & research topic (20 Marks)
2) Examine the disadvantages some sociologists may find when using official statistics
in their research (20 Marks)
3) Examine the problems sociologists might find when using participant observations
in their research (20 Marks)
4) Using material from Item A & elsewhere, assess the claim that a sociologist’s
choice of research method is primarily influenced by theoretical factors (20 Marks)
5) Using material form Item A & elsewhere, assess the usefulness of using
questionnaires as research method (20 Marks)
6) Using material from Item B & elsewhere, assess the usefulness of different forms of
secondary data in sociological research (20 Marks)
7) Using material from Item A & elsewhere, assess the usefulness of experiments as a
method of sociological research (20 Marks)
8) Using material from Item A & elsewhere, compare & contrast the usefulness of
qualitative & quantitative data within sociological research (20 Marks)
9) Using material form Item B & elsewhere, assess the view that interpretivist
methodology is preferred by most sociologists in their research (20 Marks)