While I’ve previously posted a Revision Map on Sociological Perspectives I never, for some reason, got around to posting further Maps (at least, not in pdf format – there have been Flipbook versions).
Until now.
In order to remedy the omission, therefore, I thought I’d start with a range of Maps dedicated to Research Methods. Although they were originally constructed around an old(ish) A-level Specification it probably doesn’t matter overmuch because when it comes to Methods there’s only so much you can ask and most Specifications – A-level and High School, English or American – cover much the same sort of stuff. This means the content’s still generally relevant to contemporary Specifications.
Revision Mapping, in case you’re not familiar with the concept, is based on identifying keywords in a particular context and linking them to further keywords to build a highly-structured map of a specific concept, theory or method.
In basic terms, this kind of revision technique simply involves identifying and linking the most important (or key) ideas encountered in a particular module, something that’s easier to visualise – as the following documents should demonstrate – than it is to describe…
1. The distinctions between primary and secondary data and quantitative and qualitative data:
In addition to coverage of the aforementioned primary, secondary, quantitative and qualitative forms of data, plus their respective advantages and disadvantages, there’s also discussion of methodological concepts such as reliability and validity.
2. The Research Process and Sampling Techniques:
The focus here is on the Hypothetico-Deductive model of scientific research and different types of sampling: simple random, systematic, stratified and opportunity.
3. The different quantitative and qualitative methods and sources of data. Part 1:
The first part of this two-parter covers questionnaires, structured, unstructured and focused interviews, different observation techniques, experiments and visual methods, with a focus on their respective advantages and disadvantages.
4. The different quantitative and qualitative methods and sources of data. Part 2:
The second part of this two-parter covers documents, content analysis and official statistics. The focus is, once again, on their respective advantages and disadvantages.
5. Positivism, Interpretivism::
A brief overview of the key components of these two competing sociological methodologies in a simple graphical form.
6. Theoretical, practical and ethical considerations::
How a range of Practical, Theoretical and Ethical research considerations impact on areas like choice of topic and choice of methods.