Question 1: What is the main purpose of conducting a survey in sociological research?

Answer: To gather information from a group of people about their opinions, attitudes, or behaviours on a specific topic.

Question 2: List two advantages of using surveys as a research method in sociology.

Answer: Surveys can collect data from many people quickly and are cost-effective. They also allow for standardized responses, making data easier to analyze.

Question 3: Name one potential disadvantage of using surveys in sociological research.

Answer: Participants may give socially desirable answers rather than truthful responses, which can affect the accuracy of the data.

Question 4: Describe the difference between closed and open questions in a survey.

Answer: Closed questions have fixed response options (e.g., yes/no, multiple choice), while open questions allow respondents to answer in their own words.

Question 5: Imagine you are designing a survey to find out students’ opinions on school lunches. Write two example closed questions you would include.

Answer: 1. Do you like the school lunches? (Yes/No) 2. How often do you eat school lunches? (Every day/Once a week/Rarely/Never)

Question 6: Explain why it is important to keep survey questions clear and simple.

Answer: Clear and simple questions help ensure that respondents understand what is being asked, leading to more accurate and reliable answers.

Question 7: Draw a simple plan of a survey form that includes space for a respondent’s age, gender, and their opinion about school uniforms.

Answer: The sketch should include sections for 'Age' with a blank space or options, 'Gender' with options like Male/Female/Other, and a question about school uniforms with options like 'Yes', 'No', or space for a short answer.

Question 8: What is one way researchers can ensure that their survey results are representative of the wider population?

Answer: They can use random sampling to select participants, ensuring each person has an equal chance of being included.

Question 9: Identify one ethical consideration when conducting surveys with students.

Answer: Researchers must ensure that participation is voluntary and that students’ responses are kept confidential.

Question 10: Describe how researchers might analyze the data collected from a survey about students’ study habits.

Answer: They could organize responses to identify common patterns or trends, such as the most popular study times or preferred subjects. Quantitative data can be summarized with statistics, while qualitative responses can be categorized into themes.