Primary quantitative and qualitative research methods

Primary and secondary research methods are the backbone of sociological investigation. Primary research involves collecting original data directly from social actors through methods such as questionnaires, interviews, participant observation, and experiments. Secondary research, by contrast, analyses existing data sources like official statistics, historical documents, and media content. For WJEC A-Level Sociology, understanding the distinction between quantitative and qualitative approaches is essential, as each serves different research purposes and yields distinct types of data.

Quantitative methods focus on numerical data and statistical analysis, aiming to identify patterns, correlations, and causal relationships. They are often associated with positivist sociology, which seeks objective, generalisable findings. Qualitative methods, on the other hand, explore meanings, experiences, and social processes in depth, aligning with interpretivist perspectives that prioritise understanding over measurement. Mastery of these methods enables students to critically evaluate research studies and design their own investigations, a key skill for the Methods in Context and Research Methods exam components.

This topic is central to the WJEC specification because it equips students with the tools to assess the strengths and limitations of different research strategies. It also connects to broader debates about epistemology, ethics, and the relationship between theory and method. By the end of this module, students should be able to justify the choice of method for a given research question, considering practical, ethical, and theoretical factors.