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Sociology · May / June 2020 · Paper 11 · Question 1

0495

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The question as text

Source A 1 Results from a content analysis of the working roles of women on UK television Fig. 1.1 Content analysis is used to research the media. This method measures the number of times a particular representation occurs. For example, a researcher may use content analysis to count the number of times women are represented in working roles on television. This quantitative approach to analysing media content involves designing a classification grid of women’s working roles on television (as Fig.1.1). The researcher then counts how many times women appear in these roles in a sample of different programmes. To carry out content analysis it is important to work in a standardised way. This means all researchers must know exactly what to count and to make sure they are counting the same thing and recording their data in the same way.

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  • 1(a)[2]

    From Source A, identify the two types of programme in which the ‘Housewife’ role was most common. Acceptable responses:

    soap
    drama One mark for each method correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of two).

  • 1(b)[2]

    Identify two methods, apart from content analysis, that could be used to gain quantitative data. Possible answers:

    field experiments/experiments
    non-participant observation
    questionnaire/survey
    structured interview
    semi-structured interview
    Any other reasonable response One mark for each method correctly identified (up to maximum of two).

  • 1(c)[4]

    Using information from Source A, describe two reasons why it is important for researchers to work in a standardised way. Possible answers:

    working in a standardised is an important aspect of the quantitative approach
    as it produces data that can be usefully compared
    using a classification grid to count representations of women enables the researcher to remain objective
    working in a standardised way, counting the number of a times a representation occurs is a scientific approach to research and an approach respected by positivists.
    counting the same thing and recording their data in the same way will ensure the method is high in reliability
    counting how many times women appear in these roles in a sample of different programmes will allow researchers to detect patterns and trends
    Any other reasonable answer One mark for each reason correctly identified from the source (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each point that is developed (up to a maximum of two).

  • 1(d)[4]

    Describe two limitations of using content analysis in sociological research. Possible answers:

    it is far from objective. Researchers generate their own categories from which to code and these become second-order constructs
    the researcher, usually working alone, has to place individuals in categories – this is a subjective technique.
    quantitative research falls to examine the ideological messages about the groups being studied
    most content analysis is empirical research and not based upon a body of theory
    can be extremely time consuming
    is subject to increased error, particularly when semiotic analysis is used to attain a higher level of interpretation
    is often devoid of theoretical base, or attempts too liberally to draw meaningful inferences about the relationships and impacts implied in a study
    is inherently reductive, particularly when dealing with complex texts
    tends too often to simply consist of word/image counts – lacks validity
    often disregards the context that produced the text
    very difficult to obtain a sample that is representative of all media
    Any other reasonable response. One mark for each limitation correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each point that is developed (up to a maximum of two).

  • 1(e)[8]

    Describe two strengths and two limitations of using triangulation in sociological research. Strengths:

    allows the researcher to support quantitative data with qualitative examples
    it can be used to check the validity of the research
    it can be used to check the reliability of the research using different sources
    it can be used for cross-referencing the researcher’s interpretations to other data collected to check for accuracy
    it can provide balance between methods, where one may be weaker than another in that particular area of research
    triangulation expands the research in a way that a single approach can’t
    Any other reasonable response. limitations:
    using several methods is time consuming and expensive
    the researcher needs to be skilled in several research methods
    positivist and interpretivist approaches are based on very different ideas, so it may be difficult to combine them in one piece of research
    Any other reasonable response. One mark for each strength correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each strength that is developed (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each limitation correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each limitation that is developed (up to a maximum of two).

  • 1(f)[10]

    Explain why some sociologists use official statistics. Possible responses:

    they are readily available and often found online – ease of access
    in many cases they are free or cheap to use
    governments spend time and money collating official statistics in a way few sociologists could afford
    the samples are often large so representative data is available
    the methods used to collect official statistics are often high in reliability
    they can be used in longitudinal research allowing researchers to discover trends
    they allow comparisons to be made such as between men and women or between different areas of a country
    Any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–3 marks] Answers in this band will show only a limited awareness of the question. A tendency to description is likely. Responses may be short and undeveloped and points stated without explanation. Sociological terms and concepts are unlikely to be used. At the bottom of the band (1 mark), expect one weak point. Higher in the band (2–3 marks), candidates may offer more than one weak point. Band 2 [4–7 marks] Answers in this band will show basic sociological knowledge and understanding. Responses may be underdeveloped and lacking in range. At the bottom of the band, candidates are unlikely to use sociological terms and concepts accurately. Higher in the band, candidates may be beginning to use sociological terms and concepts with greater accuracy. However, some aspects of the answer may only be partially developed/explained. Band 3 [8–10 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding and will be well-developed and explained. Sociological terms and concepts will be used accurately overall. Answers will be well-focused on the question and there will be a range of points presented. At the top of the band explanations will be clear throughout.

  • 1(g)[15]

    To what extent are focus groups the most effective research method? Possible arguments for:

    discover how different groups think and feel about a topic and why they hold certain opinions
    they are useful to obtain detailed in-depth information about personal and group feelings, perceptions and opinions
    they can save time and money compared to individual interviews
    they can provide a broader range of information
    they offer the opportunity to seek clarification
    allows respondents to discuss issues freely providing rich qualitative data that is high in validity
    allows researchers to find out not just what respondents say but also how they respond to the views of others
    focus groups are closer to real life than individual interviews enabling researchers to achieve verstehen
    Any other reasonable response. Possible arguments against:
    there can be disagreements and irrelevant discussion which distract from the main focus
    they can be hard to control and manage
    with many respondents speaking at once it can be difficult to both record and analyse data
    it can be difficult to encourage a range of people to participate
    some participants may find a focus group situation intimidating or off- putting;
    participants may feel under pressure to agree with the dominant view
    they are often self-selected samples so they may not be representative
    individual qualitative interviews are easier to manage and record data from
    covert observation avoids the Hawthorn effect
    participant observation has the advantage of seeing respondents in their natural environment
    Any other reasonable response. Band 0 [0 marks] No creditworthy response. Band 1 [1–4 marks] Answers in this band may be vague and largely based on common sense showing limited knowledge of the debate. Use of sociological terms or concepts is very unlikely. Responses may be short, undeveloped and one- sided. Lower in the band (1–2 marks), expect one or two weak points. Higher in the band (3–4 marks) candidates may offer more than two points and provide a weak definition of key terms in the question. Band 2 [5–8 marks] In this band candidates will show some basic knowledge of the debate. Alternatively, they may offer an answer which is list-like in nature but there will be no real attempt to assess the issues raised by the question. There may be limited/some use of sociological terms or concepts. Responses may be underdeveloped and lack range. Answers may be simplistic and two- sided or only cover one side of the debate. Lower in the band, the response may be rather narrow in the points covered and there may be some development. Higher in the band, more points are likely to be covered with some development. Alternatively, a list-like answer with some development covering both sides of the argument may score up to 8 marks. A one-sided answer cannot score higher than 8 marks. Band 3 [9–12 marks] Answers in this band will show good sociological knowledge and understanding of the debate. Sociological terms and concepts will be used with greater accuracy and/or frequency. For the most part, answers will be well- developed, focused on the questions and there will be a range of points presented. There will be a two-sided response but it may lack range on one side. At the bottom of the band, candidates may provide a narrower range of developed points. At the top of the band, expect a wider range of developed points and clear focus on the question. Band 4 [13–15 marks] Answers in this band will show excellent knowledge and understanding of the debate. There will be a strong grasp of the arguments as well as accurate and frequent use of sociological terms and concepts. Answers will be well-developed, clearly focused on the question and discuss a wide range of points. Responses will be two-sided and have a range of points on each side. At the bottom of the band (13 marks), the answer may lack a specific conclusion. Higher in the band, there will be a clear attempt to offer an assessment of the ‘To what extent.?’ part of the question through a focused conclusion.
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