Practice Questions

Justify why observation is a superior method to a survey for understanding the difference between stated and actual television viewing habits.

Briefly critique the idea that a survey is always the best method because it can cover a large number of people.

Name four of the six suggested themes for small research projects listed in the chapter.

List the three primary research methods described in the chapter for sociological research.

Propose one way to deal with the practical problem of incomplete questionnaires in a survey.

Contrast the kind of data collected through a questionnaire with the data collected through an in-depth interview.

Analyze the challenges a researcher might face when trying to gain permission and cooperation for a survey in a school setting.

Recall one major disadvantage of the survey method mentioned in the chapter.

Identify two types of communication media that could be the subject of a research project.

Formulate a specific, researchable question based on the broad topic of 'Changing Aspirations of Different Age Groups'.

Examine the main advantage of using a survey for a research project on the changing aspirations of school children.

Apply the concept of a research question to the broad topic of 'Communication Media in Social Life'. Formulate two specific, researchable questions.

Recall the first two essential tasks for a researcher after deciding on a broad topic of interest.

Describe what a researcher should focus on when studying 'The Use of Public Space'.

Compare the archival method with the survey method for studying the changing forms of public transport over the last fifty years.

Summarize the key differences between a structured and an unstructured interview.

Explain the observation method as a tool for sociological research.

Describe the research topic 'Changing Aspirations of Different Age Groups' as suggested in the chapter.

Formulate a hypothesis for a research project on how the use of a local park has changed over time and how this has led to conflict between different community groups.

Critique the argument that the rise of the internet and mobile phones has made traditional media like newspapers irrelevant. Propose a counter-argument based on the concept of each media format having its own special niche.

Create a short 'autobiography' of a household pressure cooker, from the perspective of the commodity itself. The narrative should reflect its production, purchase, use within a family, and its symbolic significance.

Create a research proposal outline for a project on the social life of a commodity like a motorcycle. The outline should include a research question, the chosen method, and the symbolic significance you plan to investigate.

Explain the survey method of research and identify its main advantage.

Compare the survey method and interview method in terms of flexibility and scope for a sociological research project.

Analyze the practical difficulties a student researcher might face while conducting a survey on the use of public transport.

Contrast the roles of a structured and an unstructured interview in sociological research.

Identify one key advantage and one key disadvantage of the interview method.

Examine the potential for bias if a researcher only uses interviews with a small, self-selected group of people for a study on attitudes towards the Delhi Metro.

Examine the significance of observing what is not happening in a public space, as mentioned in the chapter.

Apply your understanding of research methods to suggest and justify the most suitable method for studying the changing aspirations of different age groups.

Evaluate the limitations of using only archival methods, like analyzing old advertisements, to study the changing roles within a household due to domestic appliances.

Evaluate the potential ethical challenges a student researcher might face while conducting observational research on how people use mobile phones in public spaces.

Design a questionnaire with five key questions to survey the changing career aspirations of Class 11 students compared to what their parents' aspirations were at the same age. Justify the inclusion of each question.

Demonstrate how a researcher could use the 'biography of a commodity' approach to analyze the social life of a mobile phone.

Analyze why the observation method might be particularly effective for a research project on household appliances and the domestic division of labor.

Explain the importance of considering practical considerations when choosing a research method.

Evaluate the statement: 'The introduction of household appliances like washing machines and mixies has unequivocally made domestic work easier and reduced the burden on women.' Your evaluation should consider the intra-household division of labor.

Justify why a researcher studying the use of public space by homeless people should combine observation with in-depth interviews rather than relying solely on a survey.

Describe the practical difficulties a researcher might face when trying to conduct a survey in a school.

Explain why combining different research methods is often recommended in sociology.

Summarize the concept of writing a 'biography of a commodity' as a research project.

Design a research project to evaluate the social impact of a new public transport system, like a metro, on different classes of commuters in a city. Your design must specify the research question, justify the combination of two research methods, and anticipate two practical difficulties.

Analyze the statement: 'A given research method is not necessarily appropriate for all questions.' Use the example of studying student happiness in different school types.

Demonstrate how a researcher could combine the observation method with the interview method to study the use of public spaces in a neighborhood.

Propose a research plan to investigate the changing nature of public transport in your city over the last two decades. Your plan should identify a primary research question, suggest a combination of methods, and explain why this combination is appropriate.