A-Level Links

Research Methods

  
Resources for Methods   YouGov  
Gene Shackman's "Resources for Methods in Evaluation and Social Research" (to give it it's full title) provides a range of annotated links to a wide variety of sites and sources relating to social research - from different types of method, through research methodologies to areas like sampling. Some of the linked sites / sources are above A-level standard but both teachers and students will find something useful here to enhance their knowledge and understanding of research methods and methodology in the social sciences. Not, it has to be admitted, your standard A-level "Research Methods" web site but an interesting example of the contemporary development of online market research. The idea is that you register with the site and are asked to complete surveys at various times (and for which you receive a small payment). More-interestingly, however, are the political opinion surveys that arise from time to time - a chance not only to influence "public opinion" but also to actually experience a specific form of quantitative research...
Mediated Society   Research Methods Tutorial  
There's quite a lot of sociological information on this site, but the section on research methodology is worth exploring (although parts of it are probably more-suited to A2 than AS students). The "lectures notes" here are well-written and nicely presented A grand-sounding title for what is, when all's-said-and-done, a few pages of rather plain text. However, just because it's plain doesn't mean to say it's not worth reading - you'll find Notes here on the research process and design as well as some helpful indications of research problems and errors.
Gerard Keegan   Methodology  
This A-level Psychology site has some useful notes on areas like research design, methods, data  and sampling. It's basically just pages of annotated / linked text and the colour scheme's a bit garish, but it all seems competent enough (if a little unexciting - and speaking as one who doesn't like to live dangerously that's fine by me...). A page of notes on various types of research methodology. Probably more suitable for A2 students this site includes a useful table that outlines four key sociological traditions (Positivism, Interpretivism, Structuralism and Postmodernism) in a way that might prove useful for teaching purposes.
Sociology Extra   Onlineethics  
An interesting and slightly different idea for "teaching Sociology", this site offers a range of case studies - basic scenarios with accompanying questions for discussion, activities, further reading and so forth - that can be used to introduce students to a range of ideas (including those based around social research). In some respects the site offers a range of lesson plans / ideas that can be adapted and used by teachers and students to meet their particular needs. Amongst a wide range of goodies on offer here relating to ethical research practice, this particular section of the site offers some case study material that can be used as the basis for the discussion of ethical issues. Each case is briefly outlined and followed by questions that can be used as the basis for further examination / discussion.
Deakin University   Thames University  
This is an "Introduction to Data Collection and Analysis" that offers a huge range of notes relating to all aspects of the research process (some of which aren't particularly relevant to A-level Sociology but many of which certainly are). There's too much information to list here but I think it's safe to say that it's pretty comprehensive as far as research design and methodology goes... Although this online "Dissertation Guide" is aimed at undergraduates there's a huge amount of useful material here for both A-level students and teachers. It's probably going to be most useful to start at Unit 3 (Research Design) because the focus here is on designing and carrying out social research; this includes notes relating to different primary and secondary methods plus a useful section on methodological concepts like reliability and validity. This is a site that repays repeated exploration.
Ethnographic Methods   Statistics Glossary  
The focus of this site is cultural anthropology and the various methods anthropologists use in their fieldwork - one of which just happens to be participant observation. You'll find some relatively plain pages of notes here covering some of the basics of this method, with additional comments relating to possible sources of bias. Although many of the links to further reading are broken there's enough information here to serve as a useful introduction to ethnographic research methods. Although the glossary lists many more concepts than will be  required for A-level Sociology (A-level Psychologists will probably find it more useful), students and teachers will find the sections on sampling and related concepts useful, if only for the fact that such concepts are clearly and concisely explained...
James Randi Foundation   Research Guide  
James Randi is a world-famous magician who also happens to take a close and abiding interest in "the paranormal" - in the sense that he takes a sceptical view of the claims of those who claim various forms of "psychic powers" (his "Million Dollar Challenge", for example, offers the aforesaid fortune to "the individual who can prove, in a controlled setting, that they have "super" powers"). This site, therefore, offers teachers and students a practical setting for the exploration of methodological concepts and positions (positivism, empiricism, reliability, validity and so forth) relating to ideas about the sociology of science. Although the language is, at times, a little problematic (understandable given English is not the Webmaster Frédéric D'Astous' first language), this is a very useful "Survey Methods" site that deals with the practical aspects of data collection, sampling, ethics and so forth in a forthright and informative manner. If you're looking for a range of concise notes on the above areas, you could do worse than begin here.
Artlab   Connect Publications  
Part of the Bournemouth University "Centre for Excellence in Media Practice", Artlab "...explores new forms of research which engage participants on a creative, artistic and/or visual level". In other words, it features research projects based around the use of visual media as a means of gathering data - and very good it is too. It's well worth a visit for the insight into a slightly-different type of research methodology. Peter Langley's new site advertises the publications available from his company and gives you the chance to look through Contents lists, browse / download sample pages / chapters and order direct from the publisher (by fax or mail) which means you get lots of stuff more-cheaply than if you bought it "in the shops". It's a site worth visiting if you're an A-level teacher of Sociology / Psychology because the books on offer deal with the practicalities of teaching and learning (whether it be project work or the various skills students are required to demonstrate) and offer excellent opportunities for the development of activity-based lessons through the use of clear, photocopiable, materials.

Home Office Statistics

  

UK Government Statistics

  
If you need Official UK government statistics this is probably the site to visit since, as you might expect, it contains a wealth of statistical information across a wide range of areas (crime, education, family and so forth). The material is mainly available for download in Adobe .pdf format (which means you'll need the
 Adobe Reader), rather than for on-line viewing (but unless you're looking for something small and specific this is not really a problem).		 If it's UK statistics you're after - with no questions asked - this is the place to start. The site is a statistical database covering the main areas of government responsibility (education, crime, the economy and so forth). It's neatly presented, clearly organised and makes it easy to find the statistics you're after. It's also free to use - what more could you want?
Social Trends   MORI  
"Social Trends" is an invaluable source of official statistical information that draws together social and economic data from a wide range of government departments. The paper version is expensive, but electronic versions (currently editions 31 - 34) can be downloaded "for free". The downloads can be large (up to 7.5mb) and you'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them - a small price to pay for a reference work that brings hours of simple pleasure into the lives of untold numbers of students (and there aren't many things you can say that about while keeping a straight face...). This UK opinion-polling company site has a range of articles / information available and it's worth checking-out if you need the very latest polling information. The site also offers a "polling digest" (from Mori and a range of other polling organisations) that can be e-mailed to you if you just can't get enough public opinion. In addition to an extensive archive, there's a load of "published articles" dealing with polling methodology as well as economic, political and social trends; some of these are available to browse, but the majority are only available to buy.
Stanley Milgram   Milgram Reenactment  
If you're interested in learning more about this influential (and, it must be said, a little odd) social psychologist this site is probably as good a place to start as any. There's not a great deal of information here (although there is reasonable coverage of his major experiments) and it's general tone is a bit fan-boy so don't expect to find much by way of criticism here... In addition to providing background information about Milgram and his (in)famous "obedience experiments" this site examines Milgram's results and looks at the implications of his "shocking experiments" through a range of articles from around the world.
UpMyStreet   Research Methods Lab  
Admittedly not your average A-level site, but a potentially very useful tool nonetheless. This is basically a searchable database of demographic statistics for any area of Britain and, as such, lets you to compare statistical data by region (an increasingly important concept in Sociology syllabuses). At present, the information categories are limited (crime and education being the most potentially useful), but the site creates on-line graphical comparisons for any regions you choose and provides up-to-date statistical information that could prove especially useful for project work. Enter the Research LabI really love this site. It examines 5 types of research method (experiments, correlations, observation, social surveys and case studies) across different academic disciplines (including psychology and sociology) using a combination of text and visual material. Each method has a short description plus some indication of its strengths and weaknesses and Shockwave Flash is used to create multiple choice tests of student understanding.
Introduction to Sociology   Research Ethics  
Notes on sociology and science (amongst other things) from the University of Missouri. You can also download an "Ethics Decision Exercise" that provides a number of different ethical scenarios that can be used to identify and practice ethical decision-making - a useful classroom exercise at A-level. This part of the BBC's AS Guru General Studies site describes and examines ethical research questions in terms of public life (politics), science and the like, using a mix of text and activities. The depth isn't particularly great, but some of the activities might prove useful.
Research Guide   Communication Research Methods  
This Open Learning pack from Thames Valley University is designed for use by undergraduates (it employs some of the latest HE FOFO techniques) and while some parts of the guide are clearly beyond A-Level, many are not. With a bit of teacher guidance this represents a useful useful way to help students understand the research process Although this guide is aimed at media / communication students it's general enough in scope to be useful for an understanding of the research process and methods at A-level (although some of the chapters go beyond what's necessary at this level and for this subject). The guide is divided into 14 chapters, each consisting of general notes on a particular topic coupled with short self-test quizzes and, occasionally, links to further reading.
 General Sociology Links

Research Methods

  
The Gallup Organization   How Scientists Cheat  
Both a news site and a data archive, there is, as you might expect, a distinct American focus to this site. Be that as it may, in addition to opinion polling information on the latest issues, the site also contains a wealth of fully-searchable material on politics, economics, social issues, lifestyle and much, much, more. For comparative data "straight from the horse's mouth" (so to speak), this is a good place to begin... Although this site might (fairly) be described as "heavy going" in terms of the depth of knowledge / understanding it requires, it will repay investigation for the student or teacher who wants to delve a bit more deeply into the philosophy of science. In basic terms, it's an on-line book (very text-heavy) that explores the nature of "science".
InfoNation   UK Data Archive  
For comparative data covering just about every country in the known world (and then some), this United Nations site is the place to go. The site lets you (interactively) compare geographic, economic, political and - most-usefully - social data to your heart's content. The Data Archive is, in the words of its creators: "...a specialist national resource containing the largest collection of accessible computer readable data in the social sciences and humanities in the United Kingdom." If you want data, you have to register and you sometimes have to pay a small handling fee, but otherwise, it's all free. Which is nice.
Research Methods Knowledge Base   Content Analysis Guidebook  
The opening blurb on the site tells you most of what you essentially need to know: "The Research Methods Knowledge Base is a comprehensive web-based textbook that addresses all of the topics in a typical introductory undergraduate or graduate course in social research methods". In basic terms, it's a hyperlinked document that covers most of the essential aspects of social research in a level of detail that's probably too complicated for A-level students without a lot of teacher help and guidance. However, if you take the time to sort the wheat from the chaff this is a very useful and comprehensive methods site. Everything you've ever wanted to know (and plenty you probably didn't) about "doing Content Analysis". There's a huge amount of material to wade through on this site but if you're planning to use this method in a piece of coursework research then it's probably worth a visit.
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