1. Define Qualitative Research Methods (30 points)
A. Describe the key characteristics of “basic qualitative research,” including the
particular kinds of knowledge about social phenomena qualitative research can give us
access to.
B. Describe how qualitative research is different from quantitative research 2. Systematic Procedures & Bias (using info from Becker & class discussion) (30 points)
A. Describe how the hierarchy of credibility and our political perspectives might make us
biased or open us to the accusation of bias while doing a study.
B. Describe how a social researcher’s unacknowledged biases could affect their research
design, data collection, analysis, and findings.
C. Finally, describe what researchers can do to avoid allowing their bias to affect the
design of their study, their data collection, and their analysis. Be sure to mention how
each of those actions would help.
3. Responsibilities to Participants (using info from “The Law, Politics…” and class discussion)
(30 points)
A. Researchers are responsible for protecting their participants from harm. What kinds of
harm should a social researcher be mindful of when designing their study?
B. Explain what informed consent is, why it is important to obtain and what kinds of
difficulties researchers may face in gaining truly informed and voluntary consent.
