For Cambridge OCR A Level Sociology, research methods should not be learned as isolated definitions. Component 02 asks students to apply research methods to the context of social inequalities, including class, gender, ethnicity and age. Students need to understand methods such as questionnaires, interviews, observations, ethnography, content analysis, statistical data and mixed methods, while also considering practical, ethical and theoretical issues.
This activity helps students practise a key exam skill: choosing the best method for a specific research aim. For example, a sociologist investigating ethnic inequality in recruitment might use semi-structured interviews to explore lived experiences of discrimination, or a field experiment to test whether applicants with different names are treated differently. A sociologist exploring ageing and work insecurity might use interviews, questionnaires, official statistics or a longitudinal study depending on whether they want depth, breadth or change over time.
The activity is designed for introductory to intermediate learners. Students are shown a research aim and must choose the most suitable method. They then receive feedback explaining why that method fits, what kind of data it produces, and what its main limitation might be. This supports AO2 because students are applying methods to inequality, and it supports AO3 because they begin to evaluate whether each method is valid, reliable, representative or ethical.
The activity also encourages students to think like sociologists. A strong research design depends on the question being asked. If the aim is to measure a pattern, official statistics or questionnaires may work well. If the aim is to understand meanings and experiences, interviews or ethnography may be stronger. If the aim is to analyse representation, content analysis may be more appropriate. If the aim is to improve the overall quality of evidence, mixed methods and triangulation may be useful.
Method Match: Inequality Investigation
Read each research aim and choose the best method for investigating that inequality. The aim is to practise applying methods to real sociological research problems.
Investigation 1 of 10
Research aim
Which method is the best fit?
What should a good answer include?
AO1
Name and define the method accurately.
AO2
Apply the method to the specific inequality being investigated.
AO3
Evaluate one limitation, such as validity, reliability, ethics, access or representativeness.
Write your own methods judgement
Choose one investigation from the activity. Explain why the method fits and give one limitation.
Revision table: choosing methods for inequality research
| Research aim | Likely best method | Why it fits | Possible limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measure the gender pay gap. | Official statistics | Shows broad labour-market patterns. | Does not explain individual experiences or all causes. |
| Explore racism in recruitment. | Semi-structured interviews | Allows participants to explain experiences in depth. | Smaller samples may limit generalisability. |
| Study class culture in a workplace. | Ethnography | Shows everyday interaction, humour, norms and informal power. | Time-consuming and access may be difficult. |
| Analyse ageist stereotypes in adverts. | Content analysis | Allows researchers to code patterns in language and images. | Coding categories may be subjective. |
| Compare health inequality by area. | Statistical data | Allows comparison between places or groups. | Area averages may hide differences within areas. |
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