Standard Grade Modern Studies Enquiry Skills - Investigating Questions -

Enquiry Skills - Investigating When you are investigating a topic you must be able to: a) Decide what you want to find out by devising a hypothesis and aims. a) Decide how you find out that information. This is called enquiry methods or methods of enquiry.

Planning An Investigation STEP 1 – What Are You Investigating? You are investigating the issue of housing for the elderly. STEP 2 – Turn the Topic Into A Question What types of housing are available for the elderly?

STEP 3 – Turn The Question Into a Statement (Hypothesis) The housing needs of the elderly are met in different ways (1 mark). Sheltered housing is the most effective way of meeting the housing needs of the elderly (2 marks). A hypothesis is a statement that can be proved to be true or false. Try to include one of the modern studies concepts in your hypothesis. - Need – Power – Equality – Rights – Responsibilities – - Representation – Ideology - - Need – Power – Equality – Rights – Responsibilities – - Representation – Ideology -

Planning An Investigation Step 4: Break Down Your Investigation Into Aims (Questions) You cannot repeat your hypothesis. Always start your aims with: To find out…………….If WhatWhenWhereWhyHow

Planning An Investigation Step 4: Break Down Your Investigation Into Aims (Key Areas) To find out why housing is problem for elderly people. To find out why housing is problem for elderly people. To find out how sheltered housing meets the needs of elderly people. To find out how sheltered housing meets the needs of elderly people. To find out why many elderly people live in a nursing/residential home. To find out why many elderly people live in a nursing/residential home. To find out how nursing/residential homes meet the needs of elderly people. To find out how nursing/residential homes meet the needs of elderly people.

Planning An Investigation Step 5: How Will You Find Out This Information? You must identify realistic methods of enquiry. You must identify realistic methods of enquiry. You must understand how to use each method of enquiry. You must understand how to use each method of enquiry. You must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages. You must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages.

Enquiry Methods The main enquiry methods are: Internet/Video- Conferencing Internet/Video- Conferencing Interview Interview Writing a letter Writing a letter Using the library Using the library Using questionnaires/surveys Using questionnaires/surveys Using the media e.g. TV, newspapers Using the media e.g. TV, newspapers A Visit/Structured Observation A Visit/Structured Observation

How To Use A Letter You must find out the name/address of the person/organisation you are writing to. You must find out the name/address of the person/organisation you are writing to. You must include your name and address. You must include your name and address. To find addresses – phonebook, internet. To find addresses – phonebook, internet. Ask appropriate questions Ask appropriate questions Send your letter – post, fax or . Send your letter – post, fax or . Include a SAE – Stamped Addressed Envelope – better chance of a reply Include a SAE – Stamped Addressed Envelope – better chance of a reply

Writing a Letter ADVANTAGES: You can ask specific questions. You can ask specific questions. Ask an ‘expert’ Ask an ‘expert’ Cheap way of gathering information. Cheap way of gathering information. Use it to arrange a visit/interview. Use it to arrange a visit/interview. DISADVANTAGES: Some people/groups don’t respond because they get too many requests. Some people/groups don’t respond because they get too many requests. Letter may not reach the right person Letter may not reach the right person Information you get maybe irrelevant/not useful. Information you get maybe irrelevant/not useful. May get a reply too late May get a reply too late

How To Use A Library There are different libraries you can use – school, local or university. There are different libraries you can use – school, local or university. Contain many sources of information Contain many sources of information Books, Journals, Internet, Newspapers You must observe general library rules. You must observe general library rules. When gathering information you could make notes, copy information, print or download. When gathering information you could make notes, copy information, print or download.

Using a Library ADVANTAGES: Wide range of sources of information. Wide range of sources of information. Relevant, and up to date information Relevant, and up to date information Can print out/copy information very cheaply Can print out/copy information very cheaplyDISADVANTAGES Information can be irrelevant or out of date especially in books. Information can be irrelevant or out of date especially in books. May have to use some of the resources in the library e.g. reference books cannot be borrowed. May have to use some of the resources in the library e.g. reference books cannot be borrowed.

How To Use the Internet Appropriate IT equipment – computer with internet access. Use a search engine e.g. Google and put in key words. Use a specific website – then use the search engine, links to other pages, contact link to the organisation. Use to contact people and organisations.

Internet Advantages Quick to access information. Quick to access information. Information is updated regularly. Information is updated regularly. Many useful reference websites e.g. Wikepdia. Many useful reference websites e.g. Wikepdia. Variety of information e.g. pictures, film, text. Variety of information e.g. pictures, film, text.

Internet Disadvantages Need the appropriate equipment. Need the appropriate equipment. Can end up with too much information – time consuming to look through it. Can end up with too much information – time consuming to look through it. Be aware of who has produced the website – a reliable source or just someone’s opinion? Be aware of who has produced the website – a reliable source or just someone’s opinion?

How To Use Video-Conferencing Appropriate IT equipment – computer with video-conferencing equipment. Agree a set time with the person/organisation. Agree on will participate in the video- conference.

Video-Conferencing Advantages You could use this as a way of carrying out an interview. You could use this as a way of carrying out an interview. Easy way to contact someone who is far away from you e.g. MP in Parliament. Easy way to contact someone who is far away from you e.g. MP in Parliament. You can ask questions ‘face to face’ You can ask questions ‘face to face’Disadvantages Sometimes there can be difficulties with the equipment. Sometimes there can be difficulties with the equipment. If speaking to someone in another country, they may not understand your language. If speaking to someone in another country, they may not understand your language. People maybe reluctant to participate and answer questions. People maybe reluctant to participate and answer questions.

How To Carry Out Media Interrogation Watch, read or listen to the information more than once and note down key headings. Use the headings to make notes. Make sure you have the appropriate equipment. Make sure the information is up-to- date.

Media Interrogation Advantages The material is cheap and easy to get The material is cheap and easy to get TV provides up-to-date information. TV provides up-to-date information. News programmes are usually not biased. News programmes are usually not biased. Wide range of Digital TV channels provides a vast range of information. Wide range of Digital TV channels provides a vast range of information. Many programmes, articles have links to useful websites. Many programmes, articles have links to useful websites.

Media Interrogation Disadvantages Newspapers contain bias. Newspapers contain bias. DVDs can become out of date quickly DVDs can become out of date quickly There may be one view or interpretation of a story in a programme or article. There may be one view or interpretation of a story in a programme or article.

Attitude Surveys An attitude survey is designed to find out peoples’ opinions or attitudes towards an issue. Types of Questions: Opinion Motivation Classification

Attitude Surveys Opinion Questions Do you think the death penalty should be used in Britain for serious crimes? YesNoDon’t Know

Attitude Surveys Motivation Questions Why do you think the death penalty should be used in Britain? (Tick as many as you want) Punishment should fit the crime Other countries use the death penalty Most people in Britain want the death penalty It would deter criminals

Attitude Surveys Classification Questions Which age group do you belong to? Under

How To Carry Out An Attitude Survey The Questions – clear, specific, choice of answers. The Sample – 50+ people Recording Your Answers – one sheet to record or an individual sheet Analysing your results – easier to do if you provide a choice of answers.

Attitude Surveys Advantages You can get opinions and thoughts on issues You can get opinions and thoughts on issues It is good for personal issues like capital punishment It is good for personal issues like capital punishmentDisadvantages You need to make sure the question are worded appropriately You need to make sure the question are worded appropriately It can be more difficult to analyse answers compared with questionnaires. It can be more difficult to analyse answers compared with questionnaires. People often do not fill in surveys or send them back. People often do not fill in surveys or send them back.

How To Visit A Particular Place You must have a contact person – you would phone/write/ them to arrange a visit and check details. Consider how you will record what you see – notes, photographs or video. You must always ask for permission especially when taking photographs/videoing a place or people. Afterwards – write up your notes and send a thank you letter to the contact person

How To Visit A Particular Place Advantages Provides a wide range of information – written and visual. Provides a wide range of information – written and visual. Could combine a visit with an interview Could combine a visit with an interviewDisadvantages May only be allowed access to certain areas. May only be allowed access to certain areas. May have a limited amount of time for your visit. May have a limited amount of time for your visit. May not be given permission to take pictures etc. May not be given permission to take pictures etc.

How To Carry Out An Interview Think of relevant questions which the person will be able to answer. Ask ‘open’ questions rather than a ‘closed’ question. Think about how you will record your answers and check you have permission e.g. take notes, video, audio recording.

How To Carry Out An Interview Advantages Could combine a visit with an interview. Could combine a visit with an interview. Can ask specific questions that you want to find the answers to. Can ask specific questions that you want to find the answers to. Opportunity to ask an ‘expert’ Opportunity to ask an ‘expert’Disadvantages The person may not directly answer your questions. The person may not directly answer your questions. The person might give too much or not enough information. The person might give too much or not enough information. They may not be happy for the interview to be recorded. They may not be happy for the interview to be recorded.