Cambridge International AS Level · Sociology (9699)

Methods of research: Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Methods of research.

10 questions25 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

Which of the following research methods is most likely to be favored by a positivist sociologist seeking to ensure the reliability of their data?

Question 2

1 mark

A sociologist wishes to study the long-term impact of poverty on the educational attainment of a specific group of children over a period of twenty years. Which research approach would be most effective for this study?

Question 3

1 mark

Which of the following describes a postmodernist critique of the positivist approach to sociological research?

Question 4

1 mark

Which term, used by interpretivist sociologists, refers to the researcher's attempt to gain an empathetic understanding of the meanings and motives behind human behavior?

Question 5

1 mark

A researcher is studying the impact of social media on teenage identity. They decide to use a combination of official statistics regarding screen time and unstructured interviews to understand the personal meanings behind online interactions. Which sociological concept best describes this researcher's choice of strategy?

Question 6

2 marks

Explain what is meant by the term subjectivity in sociological research.

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Question 7

3 marks

Explain one reason why sociologists may choose to use semi-structured interviews instead of unstructured interviews when researching a specific social group.

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Question 8

6 marks

Analyze why an interpretivist researcher might argue that covert participant observation provides higher levels of validity than structured questionnaires.

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Question 9

4 marks

Sociologists often use pilot studies as a preliminary stage in their research design.
(a) Describe what is meant by a pilot study.
(b) Explain two practical reasons why a researcher would choose to conduct a pilot study before carrying out their main research.

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Question 10

5 marks

A researcher is planning to study the impact of social media usage on the self-esteem of teenagers. They are considering using a mixed methods approach.

(a) Explain the difference between triangulation and methodological pluralism in the context of this research design.
(b) Analyze two benefits of using semi-structured interviews rather than structured interviews to explore a sensitive topic like self-esteem.

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