methods and context sociology pet considerations

historical documents

P+ cheap, time, can be easy to access P-: may not be specific to the research being conducted E-: confidentiality, invasion of privacy T+: in-depth data T-: open to interpretation, unreliable, personal view

structured interview

P+: allows the researcher to build rapport with the participants, , allows for clarification of the questions P-: time, cost, and training of interviewers E-: questions could harm if of a sensitive nature T+: in-depth, detailed data, reliability, hard to quantify T-: demand characteristics, , small sample,

group interview

P+: allows the researcher to build rapport with the participants, allows for clarification of the questions P-: time, cost, and training of interviewers E-: questions could harm if of a sensitive nature T+: in-depth, detailed data,, hard to quantify T-: demand characteristics, peer group influence

unstructured interview

P+: allows the researcher to build rapport with the participants, flexibility; allows for clarification of the questions P-: time, cost, and training of interviewers E+:good for sensitive topics E-: questions could harm if of a sensitive nature T+: in-depth, detailed data, hard to quantify T-: demand characteristics, unreliable, small sample,

content analysis

P+: cheap, easy to access P-: time T+: reliable T-: open to interpretation

prior research

P+: cheap, easy to access, time P-: may not be exactly the same terms if research aims

open questionnaire

P+: easy, cheap, lack of researcher effects, quick to analyze and reach conclusions P-: low response rate, may misunderstand questions, leading questions E+: informed consent given by completing, anonymous E-: questions may be sensitive T+: detailed data, reliable, large sample, detachment and objectivity E-: participants may lie, someone other than the intended participant may answer, right answerism, lack of rapport

closed questionnaire

P+: easy, cheap, lack of researcher effects, quick to analyze and reach conclusions P-: low response rate, may misunderstand questions, the answer may not fit those given, leading questions E+: informed consent is given by completing, anonymous E-: questions may be sensitive T+: reliable, large sample, easy to quantify and analyze, detachment and objectivity E-: participants may lie, someone other than the intended participant may answer, right answerism, lack of rapport

web-based questionnaire

P+: easy, cheap, lacks researcher effects, quick to analyze and reach conclusions P-: low response rate, may misunderstand questions, leading questions E+: informed consent is given by completing, anonymous E-: questions may be sensitive T+: reliable, large sample, detachment and objectivity E-: participants may lie, someone other than the intended participant may answer, right answerism, lack of rapport

non- participant observation

P+: flexible P-: time, cost, researcher effect, requires a certain skill set not all researchers will have E-: privacy can be breached, T+: in-depth detailed data, allows for verstehen T-: Hawthorne effect, hard to quantify, small sample, unreliable

participant observation

P+: flexible, only an option with some groups P-: time, cost, researcher effect, requires a certain skill set not all researchers will have, E-: privacy can be breached, going native T+: in-depth detailed data, allows for verstehen T-: Hawthorne effect, hard to quantify, small sample, unreliable

covert observation

P+: flexible, only an option with some groups P-: time, cost, researcher effect, requires a certain skill set not all researchers will have, relies on memory E-: lacks informed consent, privacy can be breached, T+: in-depth detailed data, allows for verstehen T-: Hawthorne effect, hard to quantify, small sample, unreliable

overt observation

P+: flexible, researcher can ask questions, only an option with some groups, P-: time, cost, researcher effect, requires a certain skill set not all researchers will have, E-: , privacy can be breached, T+: in-depth detailed data, allows for verstehen T-: Hawthorne effect, hard to quantify, small sample, unreliable

public documents

P+: some can be easy to access, cheap P-: can take time to gain access under FOI Act T+: in-depth data T-: unreliable , open to interpretation, biased

field experiments

P+: variables are controlled P-: time, cost E+: harm to participants- stress E-: deception in order to deal with researcher effects T+: highly reliable, causation can be determined, T-: validity- not a normal setting, researcher effects, small sample

lab experiments

P+: variables are controlled P-: time, cost E+: harm to participants- stress E-: deception in order to deal with researcher effects T+: highly reliable, causation can be determined, T-: validity- not a normal setting, researcher effects, small sample

official statistics

P+:cheap, easily accessible P- : may not ask the questions specific to the research T+: large sample, valid, reliable

unofficial statistics

P+:cheap, easily accessible P-: may not ask the questions specific to the research T+: large sample, valid, reliable T-:could be biased to the views of the organisation

personal documents

p+: cheap p-: can be hard to access E-: invasion of privacy, informed consent, confidentiality T+: in depth and detailed T-: open to interpretation, personal view, unreliable