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Research Methods Lesson 4 Questionnaires Objectives: • To explain to explain how to use questionnaires in sociological research • To be able to outline strengths and weaknesses of using questionnaires Lesson Objectives • Understand the difference between open and closed ended questions • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using questionnaires Questionnaires • What is a questionnaire? • Why may they be useful in conducting sociological research? • What could be some strengths/weaknesses of conducting questionnaires? Social Surveys • Social surveys are one of the most common methods used by sociologists; they involve gathering information by asking people about their behavior, attitudes, opinions etc. • There are two types of social survey: • Questionnaires • Interviews Types of questions Open Closed Do you know what these are? Ended Ended Can you give examples of Question these? Question s s Pilot Studies • It’s a small scale trial study conducted before the main study in order to test the feasibility of the main study and to refine the research methods being used – Test how ambiguous the questions are – Develop the research TIP skills of the researcher A typical short exam question may ask you – Decide whether or not to proceed two reasons as to why people conductwith pilotthe research studies 1.Questionnaires • Written lists of questions • The researcher has to choose how to administer them and they will decide this by thinking about the response rate • You need to be aware of different ways of administering them and potential advantages and disadvantages of each – – – – Face to face Telephone Postal Internet Face to face • Relatively high response rate • researcher can clarify questions • Interviewer may influence responses (interviewer bias) • Time consuming and therefore may be expensive By Post • Relatively cheap and easy to gain a geographically dispersed sample • No interviewer bias as no direct contact • Response rates tend to be very low • Respondents may not be typical of the population as a whole Telephone Over the internet • Cheap, easy to access a geographically dispersed sample • Response rates may be low • Response rate likely to be low • Limited to those with internet access • Very cheap and quick to send to a widely dispersed sample • Respondents may be influenced by the voice of the interviewer Advantages/disadvantages of conducting questionnaires Advantages Disadvantages Cut and stick advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires – pick 3 of each that you think you will remember. TASK • Complete the sentences on page 16 of your booklet. • Work in groups/pairs