Examine the reasons why some sociologists choose not to usage questionnaires when conducting research. (20 minutes)
Questionnaires argon criticised for being in legitimate, superficial and limited research method. Their sterling(prenominal) flaw is that they fail to produce a all-embracingy valid picture of real dynamics of life. They merely offer a set of questions usually close-ended and aim to quantify these for ease of analysis. Questionnaires are valued by positivists for allowing to establish cause and effect relationships piece of music interpretivist check off them as the least valuable method of research.
Primarily, hotshot of the main practical disadvantages is the low response rate. In Shere Hites research in 1991 on love, passion and emotional force the response rate was only 4.5. Given this low figure, the excruciating importance of drawing generalisations is lost. The research is, therefore, unrepresentative of interests of wider nation.
Secondly, the questionnaires are seen as being inflexible. When the questionnaires responses are finalised, the researcher tummy see little scope for formulating new interests or ideas and exploring them as it can be done in participant observation.
Furthermore, the interviewer may meet biased data because in standardised questions he/she already imposes interests of their own and excludes questions that might be important to respondent.
Thirdly, where the sociologist has interpretivist perspective, detachment may seem a big barrier to overcome. The researcher cannot as trusted the full picture of a sample being questioned because he relies on responses. Apart from that, the pre-coded answers limit the chance of clarifying certain questions and addressing misunderstandings of the respondent. This roots to the aim of questionnaire, in addressing large scale population in order to draw generalisations; the concept of individuality is lost. Where the questionnaire is open-ended (respondent may express attitudes and views) the researcher...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com
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