Doing Sociology: Research Methods


EXERCISES

1. Why is the question of a scientific method particularly important in

sociology?

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2. What are some of the reasons for ‘objectivity’ being more complicated in social sciences, particularly disciplines like sociology?

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3. How do sociologists try to deal with difficulties in “objectivity” and strive for objectivity?

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4. What is meant by ‘reflexivity’ and why is it important in sociology?

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5. What are some of the things that ethnographers and sociologists do during participant observation?

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6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation as a method?

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7. What are the basic elements of the survey method? What is chief advantage of this method?

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8. Describe some of the criteria involved in selecting a representative sample.

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9. State some of the weaknesses of the survey method.

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10. Describe main features of the interview as a research method

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