Structure for Pet Essay

RESEARCH METHODS

Examine some of the factors that influence a researcher’s choice of method (20 marks)

This is a very common question and you need to be well prepared for it. To answer this question you need to think about the following issues:

Theory and choice of an area of research (structural / social action, macro / micro, aspects of CAGE they focus on, conflict / consensus)

Theory and techniques of study (top-down/ bottom-up, positivism/interpretivism, qualitative/quantitative methods, triangulation, reliability/validity)

The interpretation of research findings

Theory and choice of an area of research (structural / social action, macro / micro, aspects of CAGE they focus on, conflict / consensus)

Theory and techniques of study (top-down/ bottom-up, positivism/interpretivism, qualitative/quantitative methods, triangulation, reliability/validity)

The interpretation of research findings

Choice of topic

Choice of group to be studied

Effects on the people being studied

Effects on the wider society

Issues of legality and morality

Choice of topic

Choice of group to be studied

Effects on the people being studied

Effects on the wider society

Issues of legality and morality

Access

Gaining trust / danger

Understanding the community

Conflicting roles

Funding

Academic specialism

Personal reasons

Appropriate methods

Access

Gaining trust / danger

Understanding the community

Conflicting roles

Funding

Academic specialism

Personal reasons

Appropriate methods

Practical Ethical Theoretical

RESEARCH

You must have examples of research that helps to illustrate your points made. I would have at least 3 different types of research, so that one can illustrate practicality, the other ethics, and the final one theoretical issues.

You must have examples of research that helps to illustrate your points made. I would have at least 3 different types of research, so that one can illustrate practicality, the other ethics, and the final...