AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
2 marks
June 2001
(A) What is an interview schedule?
An interview schedule is when the researcher has a fixed list of questions or a list of
general areas or topics that they want to explore during an interview.
Jan 2002
(A) What is a longitudinal study?
A longitudinal study is a study that is carried out over a long period of time. An
example would be the maternity in Gt Britain survey that has taken place since 1948.
June 2002
(A) Explain what is meant by a structured observational schedule?
A structured observational schedule is where the researcher has a fixed set of
categories for their observation, often ticked at regular time intervals
Jan 2003
(A) Explain what is meant by triangulation?
Triangulation is where the researcher chooses to use more than one type of research
technique within a research study. They use a combination of quantitative and
qualitative methods.
June 2003
(A) Explain what is meant by a pilot study?
A pilot study is a small scale study that researchers carry out before they do their main
survey. It can be used to test the quality and accuracy of the researcher’s questions
and to show up any unforeseen problems with the survey.
Jan 2004
(A) Explain what is meant by a representative sample?
It is time consuming and costly to survey large groups of people so researchers often
use a representative sample which is a smaller cross section of the research
population.
June 2004
(A) Explain what is meant by secondary sources?
Secondary sources are data that the sociologist uses in their research but haven’t
produced themselves. For example, government publications.
Jan 2005
(A)Explain what is meant by a sampling frame?
A list of all members of the research population. For example the electoral register
June 2005
(A)Explain what is meant by a ‘leading question’?
A question that directs a respondent towards a certain response
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
Jan 2006
(A) Explain what is meant by a snowball sample?
A sample identified via the personal networks of initial respondents.
June 2006
(A) Explain what is meant by a pilot study?
Testing a research instrument in advance of the main study.
One mark for a partial explanation, eg a small-scale study in advance of the main
research.
Jan 2007
(A) Explain what is meant by a longitudinal survey
Surveying a group of research participants at intervals over an extended period of
time.
One mark for simply noting that they take place over a long period of time or for an
appropriate example.
4 marks
June 2001
(B) Suggest two reasons why researchers might find it difficult to create a sample that
is representative of all victims of domestic violence?
 Low response rate/sensitive issue so victims may be less willing to participate
 Small sample size/sensitive issue needs longer period of time to establish trust
 Lack of accurate data about the victims of domestic violence because of the
hidden figure of domestic violence
 Practical constraints such as money/ qualitative investigations less likely to
attract funding
Jan 2002
(B) Identify two types of ‘sampling procedure’ used in sociological research?
 Random sampling
 Systematic sampling
 Stratified sampling
 Quota sampling
 Multi-stage sampling
 Snowball sampling
 Cluster sampling
June 2002
(B) Explain the differences between ‘overt and covert approaches to research’?
 Covert research occurs when the identity or purpose of the research is hidden
from the research subjects
 Overt research occurs when the researcher’s identity or purpose is made
known to the research subjects
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
Jan 2003
(B) Suggest two reasons why researchers might reject postal surveys as a research
technique?
 Lower response rate
 Researcher might not know who had completed and returned the survey
 Misinterpretation of questions
 Answers may be incomplete
 People lying in the survey
June2003
(B) Suggest two reasons why it might be difficult for researchers to persuade athletes
to be open about their drug use?
 Drug use may be criminal
 Acknowledging drug use may lead to being banned from sport
 Drug users may identify researchers with the judicial system
 Gaining the confidence of research subjects
Jan 2004
(B) Identify two reasons why the content of newspapers and television programmes is
generally treated with caution by researchers?
 Bias in media reports
 Unrepresentativeness
 Difficulties in quantification
 Problems of interpreting meaning
 Time consuming to analyse
June 2004
(B) Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of carrying out longitudinal
research?
 An advantage is that longitudinal studies allow a study of changes in attitude
over time
 A disadvantage is respondents drop out/move and don’t tell the research team
 Costly to carry out research over time
Jan 2005
(B) Suggest two social factors other than age and gender that could be used in the
criteria for a stratified sample?
 Social class
 ethnicity
 marital status
 housing tenure
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
June 2005
(B) Suggest two types of sampling procedure?
 random;
 systematic;
 quota;
 multi-phase;
 multi-stage;
 snowball;
 cluster.
Jan 2006
(B) Suggest two problems that the researchers may have faced in using the doorstep
survey.
Two marks for each of two problems, such as:
 locating a suitable sample could take a long time;
 cost implications of doorstepping a large number of potential respondents;
 those replying may be suspicious of the researchers. question and be uncooperative;
 the person answering the door may not know if anyone in the household has
done paid work from home in the last twelve months.
June 2006
(B) Suggest two factors that may influence a sociologist’s choice of topic to be
investigated.
Two marks for each of two appropriate factors, such as:
 the researcher’s own interests;
 the researcher’s theoretical position;
 societal concerns;
 the funding body;
 availability of data;
 accessibility of subject;
 research opportunity.
Jan 2007
(B) Suggest two problems with joining in the activities of the group under study.
when carrying out sociological research
Two marks for each of two problems, such as:
 the group may bar access;
 it may lead to researcher over-identification with the group;
 it requires high level interpersonal skills;
 it can be more stressful than other research techniques;
 the researcher may lack the social characteristics necessary to be accepted
into the group;
 personal danger to the researcher;
 Hawthorne Effect.;
 possibility of participating in illegal acts.
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
6 marks
June 2001
(C) Suggest three difficulties Dobash and Dobash might have had in analysing data
from lengthy unstructured interviews that lasted from two to twelve hours?
 Categorising lengthy responses to open- ended questioning
 Contradictory statements/views within the data
 Insufficient time to analyse large amounts of qualitative data
 Interpretation of meanings
 Cost
Jan 2002
(C) Suggest three problems sociologists may experience in trying to ‘apply the
experimental technique to the study of social behaviour’
 The difficulty of identifying variables that might affect social behaviour
 The difficulty of controlling variables that might affect social behaviour
 The ethical problem of having to mislead research subjects about the real
purpose of the experiment
 The moral issue of the potentially negative impact that involvement in
experiments can have on research subjects
 The limited scale of the laboratory prevents sociologists from studying the
large scale social movements they often want to investigate
 The ‘Hawthorne effect’ knowing that they are involved in an experiment and
trying to guess its purpose can change the way research subjects behave
 The perceived characteristics of the researcher in an experimental situation can
influence the behaviour of research subjects
June 2002
(C) Suggest three reasons why sociological research is often carried out using only a
small sample of research subjects
 Cost of researching a large sample
 Finding sufficient respondents may be difficult
 Interpretivist sociologists are less concerned about being able to make
generalisations
 Time constraints
 Need to get results analysed quickly e.g. opinion polls
 Representativeness can be achieved with even a small sample
Jan 2003
(C) Suggest three practical problems and concerns that might occur when carrying out
research in prisons
 Safety of the researcher
 Potential respondents refusing to participate
 Gaining permission
 Gaining trust- researcher might be seen as part of the prison system
 Some of the offenders might be released early before the research could be
completed
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
June 2003
(C) Suggest three factors that influence a researcher’s choice of method
 Time
 Cost
 Theoretical preference
 Ethics
 Furthering researcher’s career
Jan 2004
(C) Suggest three reasons why sociologists might use ‘documents such as letters,
diaries or autobiographies produced by individuals in their research
 Greater validity
 Often provides a historical dimension
 Often easily accessed
 Sometimes the only source of evidence
 Firsthand evidence
 Not written for research purposes
June 2004
(C) Suggest three problems associated with using questionnaires distributed through
the post or over the internet
 Low response rate
 Difficult to go into depth, questions need to be clear and simple
 Can’t be sure the correct person answers
 People not telling the truth
Jan 2005
(C) Suggest three disadvantages of using intensive interviews
 categorising lengthy responses to open-ended questioning;
 contradictory statements/views within the data;
 difficulty in comparing the responses of different respondents;
 irrelevant content;
 interpretation of meanings;
 lack of reliability;
 interviewer bias.
No marks for .time-consuming. or .costly
June 2005
(C ) Suggest three ways in which a researcher could increase the response rate to a
questionnaire posted to potential respondents




sending out reminders;
repeat mailing;
including a covering letter;
piloting varieties of questionnaire layout
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions





improving question wording;
enclosing a stamped addressed envelope;
offering financial incentives e.g. entry to a prize draw;
posting on particular days in the week/times in the year;
limiting the questionnaire length
Jan 2006
(c) Suggest three reasons why some sociologists find official statistics useful in their
research
 relatively quick to use;
 readily available;
 few if any ethical constraints;
 as the starting point of research/hypothesis generation;
 as background information to a study;
 use large samples or total populations;
 enable comparisons over time.
June 2006
(c) Suggest three problems sociologists may encounter when using .media reports. in
their research
Two marks for each of three appropriate problems, such as:
 bias in media reports;
 unrepresentativeness;
 difficulties in quantification;
 problems in interpreting meanings;
 time-consuming to analyse.
Jan 2007
(c) Suggest three disadvantages of .using questions with fixed response categories. In
sociological research
Two marks for each of three appropriate disadvantages of .using questions with fixed
response categories.
Disadvantages could include:
 difficult for the researcher to avoid overlapping response categories;
 the researcher may not anticipate the complete range of responses;
 discourages respondents from reflecting on the question;
 resultant data is lower in validity;
 less suitable for finding out reasons/causes/feelings etc;
 researcher is imposing their own framework/views.
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
8 marks
June 2001
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages of using open ended unstructured
interviews and discussions in sociological research
Two marks for each of two appropriate advantages identified, such as:
 Greater rapport between interviewer and interviewee
 The interviewer can ask follow-up questions
 The interviewer can often observe the body language of interviewees
 The interviewer can explain and clarify questions
 Often a more equal relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee
 Reduced risk of the researcher imposing response categories on the
interviewee
Two further marks for each of two advantages explained, such as:
 Greater rapport between interviewer and interviewee allowing the exploration
of sensitive issues
 Asking follow-up questions to pursue a relevant issue can uncover issues the
researcher was unaware of
 Reduced risk of the researcher imposing response categories on the
interviewee increases validity of responses
Jan 2002
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages to sociologists in carrying out their
own primary research ‘rather than relying on secondary sources of evidence’
Two marks for each of two advantages to the sociologist in carrying out their own
primary research
 Having designed the research process, they have a more complete
understanding of the research process than if they were to use data created by
someone else
 They can decide the composition of the research sample
 They have control over question design and format
 They can decide which methods, or combination of methods they can use
 They are in a better position to interpret the resulting data
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the reason offered.
For example:
 A more complete understanding of the research process means that they are in
a better position to judge the validity and the reliability of the data they have
created
 Researcher control over question design and format means that all the data
created should be relevant to the research purpose
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
June 2002
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages some sociologists see in participating
in the situation they are researching
Two marks for each of two appropriate advantages identified
 Establishing closer relationships with individual group members- gaining
access to key informants
 Researchers experience a group’s behaviour from inside the group
 Establishing greater trust with group members
 Better access to aspects of the research subjects activities which might
otherwise might be denied to a non-participant
 Participant researchers become ‘doers’ rather than just ‘watchers’
 Participating is a more normal social activity than simply observing behaviour
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the reason offered.
For example:
 Establishing closer relationships with individual group members may facilitate
access to key informants who can open up aspects of the research group’s
activities that may otherwise remain hidden
 Establishing greater trust is likely to lead to research subjects being more open
and honest in their behaviour and expressed attitudes
Jan 2003
(D) Identify and briefly explain one advantage and one disadvantage in undertaking a
longitudinal study of female offenders
Two marks for each one appropriate advantage identified:
 Repeating a study can create comparative data
 Uses the same sample
 Collecting data over time
Two further marks for an appropriate explanation of the advantage offered
For example:
 Repeating the study at intervals offers the opportunity to make direct
comparisons to reveal trends, patterns, changes in attitudes and behaviour over
time
 Using the same sample removes the possibility of any changes in
attitudes/responses being the result of using a different sample
Two marks for one appropriate disadvantage identified:
 Sample attrition
 Funding
 Changing demographic composition of the target group over time
 Respondents being aware they are part of an on-going research project
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the disadvantage
offered
 Sample attrition can reduce the representativeness of the sample as the size
and composition of the sample changes over time
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
 Repeating a study is expensive and involves a major financial commitment,
which few funding bodies can afford. Consequently, longitudinal studies are
less likely to obtain funding than other forms of research
June 2003
(D) Identify and briefly explain two problems with carrying out ‘covert observation of
group behaviour’
Two marks for each of two problems with covert observation, such as:
 The observers role may limit access to some aspects of group behaviour
 Recording behaviour is more difficult
 Difficult to sustain over any lengthy period
 The real purpose of the observer may be uncovered
 A lack of informed consent by research subjects
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the problem
identified. For example:
 Limited access to some aspects of group behaviour would make the research
incomplete with aspects of the group’s behaviour being unobserved
 Recording behaviour is more difficult so field notes have to be written up after
the event with the consequent problems of remembering precisely what had
been observed and experienced resulting in a loss of validity
Jan 2004
(D) Identify and briefly explain two problems associated with the use of ‘quantitative
secondary data’ in sociological research
Two marks for each of two appropriate problems identified such as:
 No control over the way quantitative secondary data is created
 Social construction of quantitative secondary data
 Ideological bias
 Lack of validity
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the problem
identified, such as:
 The definitions of concepts used by those originally responsible for collecting
the data are often non-sociological making it difficult for the sociologist to fit
the data into their research framework
 Because the data are socially constructed, they are likely to present an
inaccurate picture of social reality, for example the ‘dark figure’ of unrecorded
crime
 Because the data may reflect only one ideological viewpoint, they cannot be
accepted at face value as objective and factual, for example official
unemployment levels
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
June 2004
(D) Identify and briefly explain two reasons why experiments in a laboratory setting
are rarely used in social research
Two marks for every appropriate reason identified:
 The laboratory is an artificial environment
 Practical constraints
 Ethical constraints
Two further marks for an appropriate explanation of reason. For example:
 The laboratory is an artificial environment, people do not generally behave as
they would do in normal social conditions and sociologists are interested in
human behaviour in normal social conditions
 It could be argued that it is unethical to carry out such research.
Jan 2005
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages to sociologists of being able to
actively join in with the research subjects in their everyday life
Two marks for each of two appropriate advantages identified, such as:
 establishing closer relationships with group members . gaining access to key
informants;
 establishing greater trust with group members;
 researchers directly experience the research subjects. everyday life;
 access to aspects of the research subjects. activities which otherwise might be
denied to a nonparticipant;
 participant researchers become .doers. rather than just .watchers.;
 participating is a more normal social activity than simply observing or
recording behaviour.
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the advantage
offered. For example:
 Establishing closer relationships with group members may allow access to key
informants who an open up aspects of the research group.s activities that may
otherwise remain hidden.
 Establishing greater trust is likely to lead to research subjects being more
honest and open in their behaviour and expressed attitudes
 Directly experiencing the research subject.s everyday life allows for the
creation of data that are higher in validity
June 2005
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages of using postal questionnaires
Two marks for each of two appropriate advantages identified, such as:




comparatively low cost;
no interviewer/observer presence;
enables the anonymous expression of views;
greater geographical spread of contactable respondents;
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
 can be completed at home in normal environment;
 respondents can take their time to consider their replies.
A further two marks for each of these satisfactorily explained, such as:
 low cost increases the potential for a larger, possibly more representative
sample;
 no interviewer/observer presence removes potential for interviewer bias and
reduced validity;
 enabling the anonymous expression of views can generate more
honest/accurate responses as there is no need for impression management in
responses.
Jan 2006
(D) Identify and briefly explain two disadvantages of using interviews that are
.informal and in-depth in sociological research
Two marks for each of two disadvantages usually associated with in-depth interviews,
such as:
 respondents may stray from the focus of the research;
 non-standardised questions produce data which is difficult to quantify;
 they take longer to carry out than structured interviews or mailed
questionnaires;
 they require well-trained interviewers to deliver them;
 interviewer bias.
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the disadvantage
offered, such as:
 if respondents stray from the focus of the research, some of the data generated
will be irrelevant to the researcher;
 if the data produced is difficult to quantify, the researcher will be unable to
identify trends, patterns or correlations between social factors;
 because in-depth interviews take longer to carry out, this is likely to limit the
size of the research sample, reducing the possibility of creating a
representative sample.
June 2006
(D) Identify and briefly explain two reasons why some sociologists prefer to collect
and use primary data in their research.
Two marks for each of two appropriate reasons identified, such as:
 primary data is easier to interpret;
 choice of which methods to use;
 ability to use their own definitions eg of social class;
 researcher has control over question design/structure/format;
 researcher has choice of sampling technique;
 researcher can take advantage of research opportunities as they arise;
 researcher can keep a full focus on the research aims;
AS Sociology Theory & Method
Exemplar answers
2,4,6 & 8 mark questions
 data can be created that is specifically relevant to the research aims.
A further two marks for each of these satisfactorily explained, such as:
 primary data is easier to interpret because the researcher is more closely
involved in the creation of the whole research process;
 the researcher can use methods that fit their theoretical preference;
 researchers can operationalise their definitions in the way they feel is most
appropriate.
Jan 2007
(D) Identify and briefly explain two advantages of carrying out overt rather than
covert observation in sociological research
Two marks for each of two advantages associated with carrying out overt observation.
Appropriate advantages could include:
 the observer can ask more direct questions of group members;
 the observer avoids having to maintain a covert identity/role;
 the researcher is joining with the group’s permission;
 field notes can be taken at the time of observation;
 it may be easier for researchers to select which activities they join in;
 avoids the ethical issue of deception.
Two further marks in each case for an appropriate explanation of the advantage
offered. For example:
 the observer can ask more direct questions of group members: this allows the
researcher to clarify the meanings of the group’s behaviour;
 the observer avoids having to maintain a covert identity/role: this reduces any
risk of the research ending prematurely through being .unmasked.;
 the researcher is joining with the group’s permission: this means the research
is ethically stronger as informed consent has been obtained.