secondary sources of data
'With the exception of official statistics, most forms of secondary data are too subjective to be useful in sociological research.' Explain and assess this view. [25] Secondary data refers to preexisting data that has been produced by someone other than the sociologist involved in the research. Official statistics include data produced by the government or other agencies e.g. trade unions. Other forms of secondary data include life documents or historical documents such as diaries, letters, and suicide notes etc. They are certain cases when there are no alternatives to secondary data - in the case of 'before' and 'after' studies or studies conducted to analyze trends over a long period of time one cannot go back in time and therefore needs to rely on existing data. Official statistics refers to data collected by the government e.g. statistics relating to unemployment. The fact that statistics are already available to the sociologists means that the sociologist does not have to spend time or money collecting his/her own data. The data allows comparisons to be made, which the researcher would find difficult to collect personally such as in the case of cross cultural studies e.g. comparative study of crime rates in different countries. Positivists favor the use of official statistics, as they are useful for identifying correlations. In Durkheim's study of suicide (1897) he was
Examine the weakness of different types of documents used in a sociological research. Examine why positivist prefer quantitative data whilst interpretivists prefer qualitative data.
a. Examine the weakness of different types of documents used in a sociological research. (20 marks) Documents are secondary data developed by individuals, groups, and organisations, in which sociologist may find particularly advantageous in their research. Taking that into account, there are two types of documents both personal and public. Public documents are items such as letters, diaries, autobiographies, notes and photo collections. Personal documents may be noted as unrepresentative, because some groups are unlikely to produce personal documents such as diaries and letters, because they have got limited leisure. Therefore, their views may not be represented, whilst those with the time and literacy skills may be overrepresented. When it comes to examining the personal documents, it somehow lacks the authenticity. There may be possibly missing pages, or someone must have reproduced another copy, making it seem fake. For example, there was claim that Hitler diaries were fakes. Personal documents may also potentially lack the credibility. Documents may be difficult to believe, when considering the author's sincerity. For example, politicians may write diaries that inflate the own importance. The availability of personal documents may be difficult for researchers to gain access to. For example, private documents such as diaries are becoming less available sociologist.
The Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act (1998) The 1998 Data Protection Act was introduced to control the way information is handled and to give rights to people who have information stored about them. It was introduced due to a number of reasons. Towards the end of the 20th century, computers were getting more and more powerful and government and companies began to use them with databases to store large amounts of information about people, such as their customers and staff. Computers were being used instead of paper to keep personal data about people (i.e. contact details). Also, it became easy to access information due to the ease of databases. Also as more and more companies used computers to store personal information, there was a risk that the information could be misused in the wring hands. The main principals of the Act are that data must be: * processed fairly and lawfully * used for the lawful purpose it was collected for * data must be relevant to purpose collected for * kept accurate and up-to-date * kept no longer than necessary * processed within the rights of the data subjects * kept secure * not transferred to other countries without protection We have much information held about us in many places. Without the Data Protection Act, personal information could be misused and shared with anyone, however the Data Protection Act ensures that the companies and
Handling Experiments,Observations and Data
Handling Experimental observations and data. Title: The no. of moles of water crystallization in a hydrated salt, Aim: To determine the water of crystallization in the hydrated salt, copper sulphate. Apparatus: electronic balance, crucible, tongs, Bunsen burner, wire gauze, tripod stand, pipe - clay triangle, spatula, . Theory: To determine the number of moles of water of crystallization in a hydrated salt, a small amount of the hydrated salt is taken, heated gently and then heated strongly to remove the water of crystallization. Procedure: . Take a clean and dry beaker and weigh it out accurately in an electronic balance. 2. Weigh out accurately 2.5 g of hydrated copper sulphate crystals in the crucible. 3. Heat the contents of the crucible gently at first and then strongly. 4. Remove the crucible from the burner when all the water of crystallization is removed from the copper sulphate crystals. 5. Allow the contents of the crucible to cool down. 6. Weigh out the crucible with its contents again until a constant reading is obtained. Table of Results Substance to be Weighed Weight in Grams Beaker alone 50.00g Beaker + copper sulphate before heating 52.50g Beaker + copper sulphate after heating 51.44g Observation: * The beaker was not directly over the fire and the blue copper sulphate crystals at the bottom of the beaker begin to turn white. * In the
Data Analysis - Osmosis in Potatoes
G.C.S.E. Biology Data Analysis - Osmosis in Potato Chips Contents Page . Aim.............................................................................................................. 3 2. Results........................................................................................................ 3 2.1 Tables 2.2 Graphs 3. Analysis....................................................................................................... 5 4. Evaluation................................................................................................... 6 5. Conclusion.................................................................................................. 7 6. Bibliography................................................................................................ 8 . AIM The purpose of this experiment was to analyse the effect of osmosis in potato chips (cut slices) and then be able to explain the significance of this in the human body. I predicted that as the concentration of the solute was increased, the mass of the potato would decrease because of osmosis. 2. RESULTS 2.1 Tables Potato No. Concentration (M) Start mass (g) Finish mass (g) Change in mass (g) % change in mass Average % change in mass A1 0.0 .79 2.01 0.22 2.29 9.68 A2 0.0 .79 .94 0.15 8.38 A3 0.0 .79 .94 0.15 8.38 B1 0.5 .79 .86 0.07 3.91 5.40 B2 0.5
E-Commerce Laws and Legislation - The Data Protection Act
Nick Strife Data Protection Act The Data Protection Act was implemented to protect the privacy of living individuals who could be identified from the data, or from a combination of data held by the data controller. This also includes any opinions expressed about the individual. When Collecting data, the data controller must ensure they tell the individual who they are, what the information is going to be used for and ensure that they do not collect more information than is necessary. The data must be kept securely and not kept for longer than it’s needed. It must also be kept up to date and accurate. Individuals have the right to access their data at any time. Companies may charge a fee for this but they must respond within a set timeframe set out by their particular contract. The act contains eight “Data Protection Principles”. These specify that personal data must be: . Processed fairly and lawfully. 2. Obtained for specified and lawful purposes. 3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive. 4. Accurate and up to date. 5. Not kept any longer than necessary. 6. Processed in accordance with the “data subject’s” (the individual’s) rights. 7. Securely kept. 8. Not transferred to any other country without adequate protection in situ. This has an impact on businesses because they must ensure anyone involved in collecting or accessing personal data
AS OCR B Advancing Physics Coursework - Making Sense of Data
AS Physics Coursework - Making Sense of Data An experiment was carried out in which the velocity of a falling mass was measured using a light gate: The results are shown in the table below: Height Above Light Gate (mm) Velocity #1 (m/s) Velocity #2 (m/s) Velocity #3 (m/s) 20 0.61 0.62 0.51 70 .12 .11 .10 20 .52 .62 .50 70 .76 .72 .79 220 .93 2.03 .99 270 2.26 2.28 2.30 320 2.45 2.50 2.46 370 2.62 2.67 2.63 420 2.84 2.80 2.89 470 2.96 2.97 2.99 520 3.18 3.13 3.20 570 3.30 3.44 3.34 620 3.53 3.53 3.40 670 3.62 3.64 3.67 720 3.84 3.62 3.83 770 3.86 3.84 3.83 820 4.03 3.97 3.99 870 4.18 4.12 4.14 920 4.36 4.41 4.20 Provided with these results I have initially decided to look at any relationship between the actual figures collected, with the plan of calculating and exploring further data later. I am therefore looking at the relationship between the distance the object fell, and its velocity as it passed through the light gate. An average of the velocities measured in each experiment has been calculated and the height at which the weight was dropped has been multiplied by 1000 to convert it to metres. I have created a graph of these values. Distance fallen /m Average Velocity/ ms-1 0.02 0.58 0.07 .11 0.12 .55 0.17 .76 0.22 .98 0.27 2.28 0.32 2.47 0.37 2.64 0.42 2.84 0.47
In this study I will investigate the length and width of Fucus Serratus fronds found at two different zones on a rocky shore in Abbotsham, Devon, UK. I will look at an upper shore line zone and in comparison to a lower shore line to collect data from
The investigation into the length and width (morphology) of Fucus Serratus varies in different zonations from the lower and upper shore Synopsis In this study I will investigate the length and width of Fucus Serratus fronds found at two different zones on a rocky shore in Abbotsham, Devon, UK. I will look at an upper shore line zone and in comparison to a lower shore line to collect data from. Using the data that will be collected I will see whether there is a significant difference between the mean lengths and widths. Introduction This experiment will be investigating how Fucus Serratus length and width (morphology) varies with respect to different zonations along the upper and lower shore. The research will be conducted along Abbotsham rocky shore in Bideford, Devon. This specific location has been allocated as it has varied abiotic conditions such as pH, temperature, humidity and water salinity. These various aspects lead to the belief that there will be a diverse selection of species available. Null Hypothesis There will be no significant difference between the different zonations and the width and length (morphology) of Fucus Serratus fronds. Variables Dependant variables are the things I will be measuring, such as: - The length and width of Fucus Serratus fronds; To measure the length of the fronds, a measuring tape will be used. The units for the
Geography isle of dogs
Thomas Edwards Geography coursework Chapter 1- Introduction In my GCSE Geography I will investigate and discuss the following hypothesis: 'The urban regeneration on the Isle of Dogs, East London, has provided a successful model for sustainable development' The aims of this course to help me prove or disprove my hypothesis are: * What have been the changes to the community, employment, housing and environment? * Have the changes made been sustainable and benefited everyone? * Are there further improvements that can be made to the area? Keyword: I have chosen to include the following keyword as it is an integral part of my hypothesis. Sustainable development: is where development of the present and the future are taken into consideration when using natural resources in order to develop the environment. History of the London docklands: I am going to include information on the LDDC (London Docklands Development Corporation) and the Isle of Dogs when it was one of the most in the prosperous docks world. This information is to help me understand the changes made allowing me a greater knowledge of its redevelopment and sustainability factors. One of the main causes for the docklands decline was that the river Thames became increasingly silted and this caused problems for boats as increase in demand meant bigger boats where required to access the main dock, and
p1: explain the purpose and role of research for the health and social care sector
P1: Explain the purpose and role of research for the health and social care sectors. Research is an intellectual investigation to get a greater knowledge or understanding of events, behaviours and theories. Research is very active and systematic process of inquiry aimed at revising, discovering and interpreting facts and also for law establishment and theories. Many organisations have research as an essential tool, though it is exceptional in the health and social care industry. Research in health and social care is for: * Demographic. Prior to planning the delivery of services. Establishing population patterns and statistics. * Epidemiology. Exploring patterns of disease. * Quality assurance. Feedback from service user about service. * Hypothesis. Exploring theories. * Knowledge. To extend understanding of theories * Reviewing and monitoring changes in practice. When health and social care practitioners are planning a new service they need to do research which focuses on the demographic data such as: population size, age, gender etc. This is so the practitioners can predict and plan for the future. Epidemiology investigates the cause, prevalence and spread of disease. Therefore the feedback from this research is very important and it is to help develop strategies to prevent and treat diseases. An example of this research is the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer
