1. Adapted from W Kidd et al 2003
EVALUATION?
Adapted from W Kidd et al 2003

2. What does evaluation mean?
Making criticisms
Pointing out possible problems with evidence
Showing comparisons between ideas
Showing contrasts between ideas
Saying what is good about an idea
Saying what is bad about an idea
Backing opinions up with evidence

3. Why is evaluation important?
Evaluation helps you pull all the ideas and theories together
Some examination questions focus upon evaluation
Evaluating at AS/A Level will help you at university level
Developing evaluative skills will improve your grades

4. How do you evaluate? Use theories to criticise other theories
Think through the eyes of a theorist. For example, how would Marxists or postmodernists see a certain event?
Make methodological criticisms about how a study’s research was conducted
Use real life examples as evidence with which to assess what sociologists are saying

5. Use historical examples as evidence to support or criticise a theory
Some studies are conducted in order to test other studies. Show how they support/contradict the original points.
Use synoptic tools to think about a study or theory.
Note when a concept, study or theory was created. Is it still useful?

6. Point out the good things about an idea as well as the bad.
Point out political biases and value-judgements in some theories. (Left wing/right wing? Does this distort their judgement?)
Assess the contribution made to sociology by a theory; say what we would miss or lack if the idea had not been invented.

7. The End
Keep practising your sociology skills if you want to improve your grades.