‘One main case study... constitutes the basis of my research’ Paul Willis ‘Learning to Labour’ Willis research (1977) was a case study that focused on the experience of schooling of twelve working class boys known as the ‘lads’. Read the section on Willis’ research and findings on page 146-147 and answer the following questions: What insights did the study provide on the social … [Read more...]
Using a Variety of Research Methods
In studying the movement known as Scientology, Roy Wallis had problems gaining access to members of the movement, who were generally unwilling to co-operate. He eventually contacted a former member who had written a book, who put him in touch with a number of other former members. From these interviews he gained documents including a mailing list. The mailing list was out of date but it did … [Read more...]
Other Types of Research Method: Answers to QuickCheck Questions
False Burn; Lane and Roberts; Weber; Townsend; The Kendal Project. True False Douglas; The national Child Development Study; Lacey; Gauntlett and Hill; Parker. Losing some of the original sample during the course of the study. They can trace developments over a period of time; they allow a detailed picture to be built up; by comparing groups over … [Read more...]
The Social Construction of Official Statistics
Read the section on Official Statistics, pages 219 to 222, then use the example of crime statistics to analyse another area of research – homelessness. Study the extract below and then answer the questions that follow: To most people the word ‘homeless’ would suggest those who are living on the street with no roof over their heads. However, the official definition of homelessness is wider than … [Read more...]
Personal Documents as a Source of Data
Read the introduction to Thomas and Znaniecki’s study ‘The Polish Peasant in Europe and America’ (1919) on page 222. Now study the additional information below and discuss the questions that follow: Thomas and Znaniecki realised that there had been much correspondence between Poland and America and hoped that their advertisements in newspapers would produce a good range of letters. In America … [Read more...]
Secondary sources : Answers to QuickCheck Questions
Data that others have already created or gathered for their own purposes but which sociologists an use in their research. By registration and through official surveys. Births; deaths; marriages; divorces; crime; suicide; exam results; school exclusions; unemployment; health etc. Trade unions; businesses; churches; pressure groups. They are a free source of information, save time, … [Read more...]
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