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Cambridge IGCSE Sociology (0495) · Research methods
Mini-Lesson

Theory & methods

This mini-lesson covers Cambridge IGCSE 0495 research methods and theory: the positivist and interpretivist approaches, primary vs secondary data, key methods, sampling, and reliability, validity and representativeness.

Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Some questions are multiple-choice, some are sort-and-match games, and a few use simple research-methods maths (percentages and sample figures). Press Start when you're ready.

Approaches

Positivist & interpretivist approaches

  • Positivists favour quantitative data and see sociology as a science looking for patterns.
  • Interpretivists favour qualitative data to understand meanings.
  • Some studies combine both (mixed methods / triangulation).
Quick check

Approach

?A researcher wants numerical patterns and treats sociology like a science. This approach is…
Data

Types of data

  • Primary (first-hand) vs secondary (already exists).
  • Quantitative (numbers) vs qualitative (words/meanings).
Sort it

Sort the feature

Tap a feature, then whether it fits quantitative or qualitative (or both).

🔁 Both

🔢 Quantitative

💬 Qualitative

Quick check

Data type

?Existing census statistics are an example of…
Quality

Reliability, validity & representativeness

  • Reliability = repeatable.
  • Validity = true/in-depth.
  • Representativeness = sample reflects the population.
Calculate

Your turn — response rate

✎A researcher posts 500 questionnaires and 315 are completed and returned. Calculate the response rate as a percentage. Give a whole number.
%
Hint: response rate = (returned ÷ sent) × 100 = (315 ÷ 500) × 100.
Methods

Key methods

  • Questionnaires; structured/unstructured interviews; observation (participant/non-participant, covert/overt); experiments.
Calculate

Your turn — percentage

✎In a survey of 800 people who returned a questionnaire, 240 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (240 ÷ 800) × 100.
Match it

Match method to strength

Tap a method, then its strength.

Statement
Answer
Calculate

Your turn — percentage

✎In a survey of 300 responses coded positive, 201 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (201 ÷ 300) × 100.
Sampling

Sampling & ethics

  • Sampling frame; random, systematic, stratified, snowball.
  • Ethics: informed consent, confidentiality, no harm.
Calculate

Your turn — sample size

✎A sampling frame lists 1200 people. The researcher takes a one-in-six (1/6) sample. How many people are in the sample?
people
Hint: sample = 1200 × 0.16666666666666666.
Quick check

Concept

?A study that can be repeated with the same results has high…
Calculate

Your turn — percentage

✎In a survey of 250 respondents who refused, 45 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (45 ÷ 250) × 100.
Quick check

Sampling

?A sample reflecting group proportions in the population uses…
Recap

Theory & methods — the big ideas

Approaches: positivist (quantitative) vs interpretivist (qualitative)

Data: primary/secondary; quantitative/qualitative

Judging: reliability, validity, representativeness

Sampling & ethics: frame; random/stratified/snowball; informed consent

You've covered Theory & methods. Press Finish.

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