SOCY 323: Social Research Methodology Class Test 2024 PDF

# SOCY 323: Social Research Methodology / Sosiale Navorsingsmetodologie ## Class Test / Klastoets 19 August 2024 / 19 Augustus 2024 ## Instructions / Instruksies - Carefully read the case study and answer all the questions. - Lees die gevalstudie noukeurig en beantwoord al die vrae. **Case Study:...

# SOCY 323: Social Research Methodology / Sosiale Navorsingsmetodologie ## Class Test / Klastoets 19 August 2024 / 19 Augustus 2024 ## Instructions / Instruksies - Carefully read the case study and answer all the questions. - Lees die gevalstudie noukeurig en beantwoord al die vrae. **Case Study:** North-West University (NWU) is a prominent educational institution in South Africa with a diverse student population. Understanding the work preferences of undergraduate students is crucial for university administrators, career counsellors, and employers to better support students in their academic and career endeavours. You were targeted by NWU to investigate the work preferences of undergraduate students at NWU, focusing on the factors (gender, field of study, socio-economic status, social capital, gender role expectations) influencing their preferences. The sample size is 1500 undergraduate students. Thus, you are required to follow a quantitative research approach and strategy. ### Take the above scenario into account and answer the following questions: 1. **Critically discuss the appropriate ontological and epistemological approaches for the specific study and motivate your answer. (10)** 2. **Will the study be deductive or inductive by nature? Motivate your answer clearly. (4)** 3. **Formulate an appropriate title for the study. (2)** 4. **Formulate a main research question and objective for the study. (4)** 5. **What type of literature review is appropriate for the study? Critically explain the benefits and shortcomings of the literature review type. (10)** 6. **Select and critically discuss the appropriate research design for the study. Motivate your choice clearly. (5)** 7. **Identify five ethical risks that may be associated with the study and indicate what specific steps you would take to mitigate these risks. (10)** 8. **How does politics manifest itself in social research? (5)** ## TOTAL: 50 ## Afrikaans follows English on the next page. / Afrikaans volg Engels op die volgende bladsy. # NWU® ## Requirements for this paper/Benodigdhede vir hierdie vraestel: - Answer scripts/Antwoordskrifte: X - Attendance slips (Fill-in paper)/Presensiestrokies (Invulvraestel): - Scrap paper/Rofwerkpapier: - Multi-choice cards (A5)/Multikeusekaarte (A5): X - Multi-choice cards (A4)/Multikeusekaarte (A4): - Graph paper/Grafiekpapier: ## Type of assessment/Tipe assessering: - Assessment test/Assesseringstoets - Paper/Vraestel 1 ## Module code/Modulekode: - SOCY 323 ## Module description/Modulebeskrywing: - Social Research Methodology / Sosiale Navorsingsmetodologie ## Examiner(s)/Eksaminator(e): - Dr G Mupambwa - Proff D Botha & J Rothmann - Mr Ge Monyatsi - Ms N Shabangu-Machabe ## External moderator(s)/Eksterne moderator(s): - Prof S Matebesi ## Submission of answer scripts/Inhandiging van antwoordskrifte: - Ordinary/Gewoon ## Calculators/Sakrekenaars: - Yes/Ja ## Other resources/Ander hulpmiddels: ## Qualification/Kwalifikasie: - BA ## Duration/Tydsduur: - 1½ hour/1½ uur ## Max/Maks: - 50 ## Date/Datum: - 13/09/2024 ## Time/Tyd: - 12:00 ## Instructions / Instruksies - Answer the following question. / Beantwoord die volgende vraag. - Follow the essay structure when answering the question. / Volg die opstelstruktuur met die beantwoording van die vraag. ## Question 1 Alcohol use among young and old people in South Africa is one of the most significant public health and social problems affecting the country. Despite alcohol consumption's notable effects on health, there has been a surge in the consumption of alcoholic beverages in South Africa and the rest of the world. This has prompted a lot of research on the adverse health impacts of alcohol consumption, and the factors contributing to the increase in alcohol consumption amongst the young and old in South Africa. Noteworthy, there seems to be not much research focusing on the perceived health benefits of alcohol consumption. As such you have been approached by the North-West University to conduct an online survey at its three campuses on the students' perceived health benefits of alcohol consumption. Based on this scenario, you are required to do the following: 1. **Formulate an appropriate title for the research study. (2)** 2. **Formulate the main research question and objective for the study. (4)** 3. **Identify the most suitable sampling technique (2) and provide a detailed discussion of the sampling procedure, emphasising the characteristics of the sample, as well as the criteria for inclusion and exclusion (10).** 4. **Identify an appropriate data collection method for the study (2) and provide a critical evaluation of the strengths and limitations of the chosen method (10).** 5. **Using applicable examples, discuss how you will boost the response rate of online surveys. (10)** 6. **Critically discuss the critiques of quantitative research. (10)** ## [50] ## Alkholgebruik onder jong en ou mense in Suid-Afrika is een van die belangrikste openbare gesondheids- en maatskaplike probleme wat die land raak. Ten spyte van alkoholverbruik se noemenswaardige uitwerking op gesondheid, was daar 'n toename in die verbruik van alkoholiese drank in Suid-Afrika en die res van die wêreld. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot baie navorsing oor die nadelige gesondheidsimpakte van alkoholverbruik, en die faktore wat bydra tot die toename in alkoholverbruik onder jonk en oud in Suid-Afrika. Opmerklik is dat daar blykbaar nie veel navorsing is wat fokus op die waargenome gesondheidsvoordele van alkoholgebruik nie. As sodanig is u deur die Noordwes Universiteit genader om 'n aanlyn opname by die drie kampusse daarvan te doen oor studente se persepsies oor die moontlike voordele van alkoholgebruik. ## Op grond van hierdie scenario moet u die volgende doen: 1. **Formuleer 'n gepaste titel vir die navorsingstudie. (2)** 2. **Formuleer die hoofnavorsingsvraag en doelwit vir die studie. (4)** 3. **Identifiseer die mees geskikte steekproefprosedure (2) en verskaf 'n gedetailleerde bespreking van die steekproefprosedure, met die klem op die kenmerke van die steekproef, asook die kriteria vir insluiting en uitsluiting (10).** 4. **Identifiseer 'n toepaslike data-insamelingsmetode vir die studie (2) en verskaf 'n kritiese evaluering van die sterk punte en beperkings van die gekose metode (10).** 5. **Gebruik toepaslike voorbeelde en bespreek hoe jy die responskoers van aanlyn-opnames sal verhoog. (10)** 6. **Bespreek die kritiek teen kwantitatiewe navorsing krities. (10)** ## File reference: 8.1.7.2.2 ## [50] ## TOTAL/TOTAAL: 50 # NWU® ## Requirements for this paper/Benodigdhede vir hierdie vraestel: - Answer Scripts/ - Antwoordskrifte: X - Attendance Slips (Fill-in Paper)/ - Presensiestrokies (Invulvraestel): - Scrap paper/ - Rofwerkpapier: - Multi-choice cards (A5)/ - Multikeusekaarte (A5): X - Multi-choice cards (A4)/ - Multikeusekaarte (A4): - Graph Paper/ - GrafiekPapier: - Calculators/ - Sakrekenaars: - Laptop (Power not provided)/ - Skootrekenaar (Krag word nie voorsien nie): ## PC-FT-SOCY323.1-1 ## Resources/Hulpmiddels: ## Type of Assessment/ - Tipe Assessering: - Exam Opportunity:1 - Duration/ - Tydsduur: 3 Hrs 00 Min - Paper Number/ - Vraestel Nommer: 1 - Maximum Marks/ - Maksimum Punte: 100 - Module Code/ - Modulekode: SOCY 323 - Module Description/ - Module Beskrywing: SOCIAL RESEARCH METIODS - Examiner(s)/ - Eksaminator(e): Dr Gift Mupambwa-VC; Prof Doret - Botha-PC; Prof Jacques Rothmann- - PC;Mr Gerald Monyatsi-MC; - Date/ - Datum: 2024/11/06 - Time/ - Tyd: 14:00 - Internal/Interne - Moderator(s): - External Moderator(s)/ - Eksterne Moderator(s): Ms Nontobeko Machabe-Shabangu-PC; - Qualification/ - Kwalifikasie: B Soc Sci/BA - Submission of answer scripts/Inhandiging van antwoordskrifte: ORDINARY ## INSTRUCTIONS / INSTRUKSIES - Answer BOTH questions. / Beantwoord BEIDE vrae. - Follow the essay structure when answering the questions. / Volg die opstelstruktuur met die beantwoording van die vrae. - Answer each question in a separate answer book. / Beantwoord elke vraag in 'n afsonderlike antwoordboek. ## QUESTION 1 The transition from university to the workforce is a critical phase in students' lives, and it often comes with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. The rapidly changing job market, evolving employer expectations, and the rise of automation and technology have created new challenges for graduates. With increasing competition for jobs, universities have placed an emphasis on career services, internship opportunities, and skill development programmes to support their students. Given the above, you were targeted by the North-West University to investigate its final year undergraduate students' preparedness for the labour market as they approach graduation. Additionally, you are tasked with examining how students' perceptions of their readiness vary across race, gender, and faculty of study. By identifying gaps in preparedness, the university can tailor its career services to better support students. To conduct this study, you are required to follow a quantitative research strategy. The sample should include 1 500 students (500 from each campus). A self-administered online questionnaire should be used to collect the data. Based on this scenario, answer the following questions: 1. **Formulate an appropriate title for the study. (2)** 2. **Formulate a main research question and objective for the study. (4)** 3. **Critically discuss the relationship between theory and data, and the epistemological and ontological considerations in relation to this study. (10)** 4. **What are the differences between reliability and validity and why are these important criteria for the evaluation of social research? (4)** 5. **Identify, discuss and apply the sampling technique that you will use to select the respondents for the study, and mention the limitations of this technique. (10)** 6. **Critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online surveys. (10)** 7. **Critically discuss the main critiques levelled against quantitative research?. (10)** ## VRAAG 1 Die oorgang van universiteit na die arbeidsmag is 'n kritieke fase in studente se lewens, en dit gaan gepaard met 'n mengsel van afwagting en angs. Die vinnig veranderende arbeidsmark, ontwikkelende werkgewerverwagtinge en die opkoms van outomatisering en tegnologie het nuwe uitdagings vir gegradueerdes geskep. Met toenemende mededinging om werksgeleenthede, beklemtoon universiteite loopbaandienste, internskapgeleenthede en vaardigheidsontwikkelingsprogramme om hul studente te ondersteun. Gegewe bogenoemde, is jy deur die Noordwes-Universiteit geteiken om sy finale jaar voorgraadse studente se gereedheid vir die arbeidsmark te ondersoek namate hulle graduering nader. Daarbenewens het jy die taak om te ondersoek hoe studente se persepsies van hul gereedheid verskil in terme van ras, geslag en fakulteit van studie. Deur leemtes in gereedheid te identifiseer, kan die universiteit sy loopbaandienste aanpas om studente beter te ondersteun. Om hierdie studie uit te voer, moet jy 'n kwantitatiewe navorsingstrategie volg. Die steekproef moet 1 500 studente insluit (500 van elke kampus). 'n Self-geadministreerde aanlynvraelys moet gebruik word om die data in te samel. Gebaseer op hierdie scenario, beantwoord die volgende vrae: 1. **Formuleer 'n gepaste titel vir die studie. (2)** 2. **Formuleer 'n hoofnavorsingsvraag en -doelwit vir die studie. (4)** 3. **Bespreek die verband tussen teorie en data, en die epistemologiese en ontologiese oorwegings in verband met hierdie studie krities. (10)** 4. **Wat is die verskille tussen betroubaarheid en geldigheid en hoekom is hierdie kriteria vir die evaluering van sosiale navorsing belangrik? (4)** 5. **Identifiseer, bespreek en pas die steekproeftegniek toe wat jy gaan gebruik om die respondente vir die studie te selekteer. Noem ook die beperkings van die tegniek. (10)** 6. **Bespreek die voor- en nadele van aanlyn-opnames krities. (10)** 7. **Wat is die belangrikste kritiek wat gelewer word teen kwantitatiewe navorsing? Bespreek krities. (10)** ## AND / EN ## [50] ## QUESTION 2 Gender-based-violence (hereafter GBV) has become an epidemic in Southern Africa. With a growing body of research and policies centred on GBV, the phenomenon is largely understood from the male-inflicting-harm-on-female standpoint. Consider the following quotes regarding the importance ascribed to traditional (read hegemonic) meanings associated with masculinity in African culture: "Mudi wa gwoswi a una malila" (Translated from Tshivenda it means "the house of a weak man does not stand") (Thobejane et al., 2018). The preceding quote is an example of connotation from an African language and culture that is used to describe or provide an idea of what it means to be a man in a patriarchal society where hegemonic masculinity is promoted and endorsed. Gender-based violence (hereafter GBV) against men in South Africa, has not been as widely or broadly researched as in America or other European countries. This may be due, in part, to the stereotypical connotations that are attached to men who publicly acknowledge that they have been the victims of GBV. Thus, men tend to conceal the abuse to avoid being labelled as weak or for not being "real" men. Excerpt: Tshilongo (2022:iii) Based on the above background, your third year-lecturer requests that you and 2-3 of your SOCY323 peers conduct an explorative qualitative study about male victims of GBV. You are required, among others, to conduct personal semi-structured interviews with ten (10) self-identified heterosexual male students at the North-West University who have fallen victim to GBV. Noting the potential sensitivity of the topic, you must provide a detailed report about specific methodological considerations and its applicability to your proposed study. This is important to ensure that the scientific and ethics committees approve your request to start with the empirical component of your proposed study. Define, critically discuss and apply the following methodological considerations to your study: 1. **Justify the use of semi-structured interviews as a data collection method. Focus on the following aspects as part of your answer:** - **Shortly justify the use of a semi-structured interview guide. (2)** - **Identify nine (9) different categories of questions (Charmaz, 2002; Kvale, 1996) that you will use when compiling your semi-structured interview guide. (9)** - **Provide an example of each of these different categories of questions by applying it to your proposed study about male victims of GBV. (9)** 2. **Identify, discuss, and justify submitting your ethics application to either the Basic Social Science Research Ethics Committee (BaSSREC) or the Human and Social Science Research Ethics Committee (HSSREC). In this regard, evaluate the meaning(s) that you and your research team ascribe to the concepts of risk, vulnerability, and adverse events. (10)** 3. **Explain how you will ensure the reliability of your research during and after interviewing and reporting your findings. (20)** ## VRAAG 2 Geslagsgebaseerde geweld (hierna GGG) het 'n epidemie in Suider-Afrika geword. Met 'n toenemende hoeveelheid navorsing en beleide wat gesentreer is op GGG, word die verskynsel grootliks verstaan vanuit die man-wat-leed-aandoen-aan-vroue oogpunt. Oorweeg die volgende aanhalings oor die belangrikheid wat toegeskryf word aan tradisionele (lees hegemoniese) betekenisse wat met manlikheid in die Afrika-kultuur geassosieer word: "Mudi wa gwoswi a una malila" (Vertaal uit Tshivenda beteken dit "die huis van 'n swak man staan nie") (Thobejane et al., 2018). Die voorafgaande aanhaling is 'n voorbeeld van die konnotasie uit 'n Afrikataal en -kultuur wat gebruik word om te beskryf wat dit beteken om 'n man te wees in 'n patriargale samelewing waar hegemoniese manlikheid bevorder en onderskryf word. Geslagsgebaseerde geweld teen mans in Suid-Afrika is nie so wyd nagevors soos in Amerika of ander Europese lande nie. Dit kan deels te wyte wees aan die stereotipiese konnotasies wat geheg word aan mans wat in die openbaar erken dat hulle die slagoffers van GGG was. Mans is dus geneig om die mishandeling te verberg om te verhoed dat hulle as swak bestempel word of omdat hulle nie "regte" mans is nie. Uittreksel: Tshilongo (2022:iii) Gebaseer op die agtergrond hierbo, versoek jou derdejaar-dosent dat jy en 2-3 van jou SOCY323-maats 'n verkennende kwalitatiewe studie oor manlike slagoffers van GGG moet doen. Daar word onder andere van jou verwag om persoonlike semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude te voer met tien (10) self-geïdentifiseerde heteroseksuele manstudente aan die Noordwes-Universiteit wat die slagoffer van GGG was. Deur te let op die potensiële sensitiwiteit van die onderwerp, moet jy 'n gedetailleerde verslag verskaf oor spesifieke metodologiese oorwegings en die toepaslikheid daarvan op jou voorgestelde studie. Dit is belangrik om te verseker dat die wetenskaplike en etiese komitees jou versoek goedkeur om met die empiriese komponent van jou voorgestelde studie te begin. ## Definieer, bespreek krities en pas die volgende metodologiese oorwegings toe op jou studie: 1. **Regverdig die gebruik van semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude as data-insamelingsmetode. Fokus op die volgende aspekte as deel van jou antwoord:** - **Motiveer kortliks die gebruik van 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudsgids. (2)** - **Identifiseer nege (9) verskillende kategorieë vrae (Charmaz, 2002; Kvale, 1996) wat jy sal gebruik wanneer jy jou semi-gestruktureerde onderhoudsgids saamstel. (9)** - **Verskaf 'n voorbeeld van elk van hierdie verskillende kategorieë vrae deur dit toe te pas op jou voorgestelde studie oor manlike slagoffers van GGG. (9)** 2. **Identifiseer, bespreek en regverdig die indiening van jou etiek-aansoek by óf die Basiese Sosiale Wetenskapnavorsingsetiekkomitee (BaSSREC) óf die Mens- en Sosiale Wetenskaplike Navorsingsetiekkomitee (HSSREC). Evalueer in hierdie verband die betekenis(se) wat jy en jou navorsingspan toeskryf aan die konsepte van risiko, kwesbaarheid en nadelige gebeurtenisse. (10)** 3. **Verduidelik hoe jy die betroubaarheid van jou navorsing sal verseker tydens en na onderhoudvoering en rapportering van jou bevindings. (20)** ## File reference: 8.1.7.2.2 ## [50] ## TOTAL/TOTAAL: 100 ## SOCY323: Paper / Vraestel 1 | Exam 1st opp/Eksamen 1e gel | Full-time/Voltyds ## 4/4