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NSWSociety and CultureQuick questions
Core: Social and Cultural Continuity and Change
Quick questions on Social and cultural research methods in the HSC Society and Culture core
2short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is sampling?Show answer
Because researchers cannot study everyone, they sample. Random sampling gives every member of a population an equal chance and supports generalisation. Stratified sampling ensures key subgroups are represented. Convenience and snowball sampling are practical for hard-to-reach groups but limit how far findings generalise.
What is ethics?Show answer
All social research carries ethical obligations. Researchers must seek informed consent, protect confidentiality and anonymity, avoid harm, be honest about purpose, and take special care with vulnerable groups and with children. For research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this includes respect for cultural protocols and community ownership of knowledge. The PIP explicitly requires students to act ethically and to reflect on the ethical dimension of their own work.
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