AQA GCSE Sociology - Research Methods: Intro lessons

L1 - How do sociologisrs collect their data?

Detailed lesson with lots of scaffolding based on adaptive teaching that help students understand how sociologist collect data for sociological research (e.g. difference between primary and secondary methods, quantitative and qualitative data.

Covers the following key terms: research methods, sociological research, data, research process, Primary methods vs Secondary Methods, qualitative vs quantitative data, closed vs open questions, validity and reliability.

L2 - How do sociologists begin their research?

Detailed lesson with lots of scaffolding based on adaptive teaching that help students understand how sociologists begin their research (e.g. what is meant by research design, hypothesis, research questions, aims , pilot study, the first two stages of research process and assessing its usefulness.

Covers the following key terms: Research design, Hypothesis, Research questions, Research aims and Pilot study

Makes links to key terms that students should have already covered the following key terms: Respondent, Response rate, Participants, Sociological research, Research process and Data

Answers to all activities included

L3 - How might sociologists collect their sample?

Detailed lesson with lots of scaffolding based on adaptive teaching that help students understand how might sociologist select their sample for sociological research (e.g. the sampling method, consequences sampling methods may have on social research, the different types of sampling methods and how they are used.

Covers the following key terms: Target population, Sample, Sampling frame, Probability (or random sampling) vs Non-probability sampling, Simple random sampling, Systematic random sampling, Stratified random sampling, Snowball sampling, Quota sampling, Representative sample vs unrepresentative sample, Generalise; Generalisability; To make generalisations, Opportunity sampling extension), Cluster sampling (extension) and Positivists vs interpretvivists (extension)

Answers to most activities are included

L4 - What PET issues might sociologists need to consider when conducting research?

Detailed lesson with lots of scaffolding based on adaptive teaching that help students understand what are PET issues that sociologists consider when designing and conducting research (e.g. define and identify possible practical, ethical and theoretical (PET) advantages and disadvantages of social research and explaining PET’s differences

Covers the following key terms: Practical issue, Ethical issues, Theoretical issues,Anonymity, Confidentiality , Informed consent, Covert research (extension), Pseudonym (extension), Mixed method (extension) Findings (of research) (extension).

Key bodies, laws and theories we will cover: British Sociological Association, Data Protection Act 1998, Positivism, Interpretivism

Answers to most main activities are included

RESOURCES FOR ALL LESSONS CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THE PPT IF NOT INCLUDED AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT.