1.3 How do sociologists investigate society?

2026 Syllabus Objectives

By the end of this subtopic, you should be able to:

1.3.1 The stages in research design:

  • Selection of topic
  • Aims
  • Hypothesis
  • Target population
  • Methods
  • Operationalisation
  • Pilot studies

1.3.2 Sampling:

  • Sampling frames
  • Sampling techniques: random, systematic, stratified, snowball, quota
  • Strengths and limitations of each technique

1.3.3 Quantitative and qualitative primary research methods:

  • Surveys
  • Questionnaires
  • Interviews (structured, semi-structured, unstructured, group)
  • Observations (participant, non-participant, covert, overt)
  • Strengths and limitations of each method

1.3.4 Types of question:

  • Open
  • Closed
  • Multiple choice
  • Scaled

1.3.5 The theoretical and practical issues affecting research:

  • Researcher perspective (positivist/interpretivist)
  • Access to sample
  • Response rate
  • Funding/cost
  • Time

1.3.6 Ethical issues affecting research:

  • Informed consent
  • Privacy/confidentiality
  • Deception
  • Prevention of harm
  • Legality

📋 The Stages in Research Design

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Sociological research follows a systematic process that begins with identifying a problem and ends with publishing findings. The best research often involves problems that are also puzzles - not just a lack of information, but also a lack of understanding.

Research Stage Overview

Research projects do not stand alone; they are always related to or arise directly from earlier research. After collecting data, sociologists must analyze it and decide what it means for the research question. Findings are usually published in academic journals or books.

Key Challenges at Each Research Stage

Research stagePotential problem
Identifying a topic for researchThere may be practical problems such as finding respondents. It may also be difficult to get funding.
Reviewing existing evidenceIt may be difficult to find existing evidence; the researcher may have to check many possible sources.
Developing a hypothesis or aimIt can be difficult to write a well-focused aim or hypothesis, especially if the researcher is unsure what they are likely to discover.
Identifying the target populationThe researcher will need to decide who the findings will refer to and how they will choose and access a sample.
Choosing a methodThe method chosen may not produce data that can confirm or disprove the hypothesis, or that does not meet the aims of the project.
OperationalisationThe researcher has to find ways of measuring the key ideas in the research.
Pilot studiesIn many research projects, the method is tested with a small sample before the main research is carried out. If the pilot study shows significant issues, the researcher may have to start over again.
Implementing the research methodPossible problems with each method are explained in the sections on individual methods. The problems can be classified as practical, ethical or theoretical.

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