How to tackle the exam questions on methods…

Question 2: Remember this…? Using material from Item B and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of one of the following methods for investigating the effect of material deprivation on educational achievement: EITHER (i) unstructured interviews OR (ii) official statistics. (16 marks) Remember this…?

The MACRO approach OFFICIAL STATISTICS STRENGTHS: Weaknesses: Some official statistics aren’t reliable because they’ve been massaged for political reasons. The crime statistics are a prime example of this. Interpretivists argue they are not facts but the end result of a complex series of processes and sums. Don’t operationalise concepts too well. The information is easy to access, widely available and usually free. It’s dynamic – it’s up-to-the-minute and let’s us see trends and changes over time. The sample sizes are often massive so the data is very representative. Available on a wide variety of topics.

The MICRO approach INTERVIEWS STRENGTHS: Weaknesses: Presence of researcher / interviewer means respondents can ask to clarify questions. Higher response rate. Structured interviews can replicate reliable data & produce quantitative data. Unstructured interviews create detailed, insightful and fresh data. Can produce more truthful data. Interviewer bias – may try to give them answers they “want to hear”. Some of the questions might be leading. Really time-consuming. Can only use small samples. Hard to record the data.

Golden rules for answering this question: Have an equal number of strengths and weaknesses. Discuss each weakness and strength in detail. Discuss each weakness and strength in direct relation to the issue in the question – in this case, material deprivation. Use concepts relevant to material deprivation & research methods.

A statement to be tested by research. Question three doesn’t need you to mention education…just research methods. 16 marks 3(a) Explain what is meant by the term ‘hypothesis’. (2 marks) A statement to be tested by research. This just needs to be a one sentence answer – it’s only a definition… don’t waste time!

They’re readily available. You can see trends over time. 16 marks 3(b) Suggest two advantages of using official statistics in sociological research. (4 marks) They’re readily available. You can see trends over time. Right, let’s say this slowly… TWO BULLET POINTS NOT rambling on for ages, hoping you’ll say the right thing…

TWO BULLET POINTS. capiche? 3(c) Suggest two problems that researchers may face when actively participating in the group they are studying. (4 marks) ‘going native’ Compromising personal ethics. TWO BULLET POINTS. capiche?

Think about what the question’s asking you to do… 16 marks 3(d) Examine the extent to which practical issues are the most important influence when selecting research methods and a research topic. (16 marks) Think about what the question’s asking you to do… Pull out the information you have on practical issues…

Practical, Ethical and Theoretical issues. Practical issues: The choice of research topic may be influenced by the: * values of the researcher * values of society * type of funding * availability of data * theoretical position of the researcher.

Remember – you DON’T need to link them to Education. The mark scheme wants you to consider the following in your answer: *Issues of access, *time, *cost, *research opportunity, *the research issue, *funding, *safety, *personal skills, *theoretical preference (Positivist or Interpretivist), *validity, *representativeness, *reliability, *Hawthorne Effect, *ethical considerations inc. anonymity & confidentiality. You don’t have to include all of these ideas – include around 5-6 issues and discuss them in detail. Remember – you DON’T need to link them to Education.

A word on Assessment Objectives… Interpretation, analysis, application, evaluation. A01 Knowledge & Understanding.