AQA GCSE Sociology: Sociological research methods overview

Sociological research methods runs through both papers of AQA GCSE Sociology (8192) rather than being a topic on its own. It asks how sociologists plan research, what methods they use, where they get existing data, and how they choose samples and behave ethically. This overview maps the topic and links to the dot-point answer pages.

The research process

Research starts with an aim and often a hypothesis (a testable statement), then a method is chosen. Data can be primary or secondary, and quantitative or qualitative. Good research aims to be reliable (repeatable), valid (true) and representative (typical, so it can be generalised). See the research process.

Primary research methods

Primary methods collect first-hand data: questionnaires (reliable, large-scale), structured and unstructured interviews (reliable versus valid), participant and non-participant observation (valid but raising ethical issues), and experiments (testing cause and effect). See primary research methods.

Secondary sources

Secondary sources already exist: official statistics, documents, the mass media and previous research. They are often cheap and wide-ranging but may be biased, out of date or invalid. See secondary sources.

Sampling and ethics

A sample is drawn from a sampling frame using methods such as random, stratified, quota and snowball sampling. Researchers must also be ethical: gaining informed consent, protecting confidentiality, avoiding harm and avoiding deception. See sampling and ethics.

How to revise research methods

1. Learn strengths and weaknesses. Every method must be evaluated, not just described.
2. Master the key concepts. Reliability, validity and representativeness are tested directly and used to judge methods.
3. Link to positivism and interpretivism. Positivists prefer reliable quantitative data; interpretivists prefer valid qualitative data.
4. Practise applying methods to topics. Be ready to design research on families, education or crime.

Test yourself with the research methods quiz.