Sociology · May / June 2021 · Paper 12 · Question 1
0495
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In the Islington Crime Survey (1986) Jones, Lea and Young researched crime in an area of London called Islington. The survey’s aims were to find out the types and the frequency of crime in the area. 1 The researchers hoped that this would provide more accurate data about crime in Islington than the official police records. The survey involved a random sample of over 2000 households from all parts of Islington. The response rate was approximately 75%. The researchers conducted structured interviews asking people about crimes they or their family had been a victim of during the last year. Respondents were asked about those who committed offences against them and whether they thought police were effective in tackling crime. Key findings from the study included: • the burglary rate in Islington was five times higher than the national average • a third of all households had experienced serious crime in the last twelve months (e.g. robbery, racist attacks and domestic violence) • over half of women avoided going out after dark due to fear of crime • more than 60% of respondents thought police were ineffective in dealing with serious crimes • only half of the crimes experienced by respondents were reported to the police, and only 3.8% of the crimes were detected by the police. Adapted from: https://islingtoncrimesurvey Source A
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1(a)[2]
From Source A, identify two aims of the Islington Crime Survey. Acceptable responses:
to find out the types of crime committed;to find out the frequency of crime in the area;to check the accuracy of the picture given in the official statistics. One mark for each aim correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of two).1(b)[2]
Identify two sampling methods, apart from random sampling. Possible answers:
stratified sampling;snowball sampling;quota sampling;systematic sampling;cluster sampling;opportunity/convenience sampling;any other reasonable response. One mark for each sampling method correctly identified (up to maximum of two).1(c)[4]
Using information from Source A, describe two problems with the validity of the data in the Islington Crime Survey. Possible answers:
the source is adapted and therefore there may have been changes made, data may have been missed out etc. which may mean it is not fully accurate, hence lowering the validity;the interviews were structured, meaning that many closed questions are likely to be used. This means that little qualitative data would be gained about, for example, what people really thought and felt about crime in their area;respondents were asked about crimes during the last year, they may not remember accurately affecting the validity of the data;the survey is asking about people’s experiences of crime – some exaggerate, thus lowering validity;this is a sensitive topic and so some people may not want to tell the truth, so lie and lowering validity;the survey was taken in 1986 and thus may not be a true reflection of victimization in Islington today;because a researcher is present some may respond with social desirability and only tell the researcher what they think the researcher wants to hear, thus not allowing the research to get an accurate picture;there may be researcher bias in terms of the questions asked or the way in which the data is interpreted which will lower the validity of the data overall;any other reasonable response. One mark for each problem correctly identified (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 strengths of historical documents. Possible answers:
they are more than likely the only way we can gain insights into past events;they allow comparisons over time for example birth, death and marriage rates;historical documents are secondary data and therefore saves the researcher time as they don’t have to do primary research first;many historical documents are readily available and so are useful from a practical point of view;some historical data comes in large data sets e.g. the census and this can provide valuable insights for positivist researchers;qualitative historical documents such as diaries can offer useful insights into the thoughts and feelings of those involved in key historical events or eras;they are useful when assessing the outcomes of various social policies such as raising the school leaving age;for some topics there may be multiple documents – as a result information can be cross-checked with others for greater reliability;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)1(e)[8]
Describe two strengths and two limitations of random sampling. Possible strengths:
it is fair in the sense that there is no researcher selection so everyone in the sample has a fair chance of being picked;it is practical way to create a sample randomly, for example by drawing names out of hat or using a computer package to generate names from a sampling frame;it saves time because the researcher doesn’t have to go through the process of stratifying the sample;it prevents researcher bias so the researcher cannot pick those who will support the hypothesis of the research;it is often the sampling type that is used to select a large sample and therefore findings are more likely to be generalisable;any other reasonable response. Possible limitations:they are not always representative so by chance a researcher may get a sample which is dominated by one sex, age, ethnicity etc.;a sampling frame is needed and this may not be available for some groups e.g. deviant groups;because a sampling frame is required researchers may have to pay to access or apply for access – both practical disadvantages;because people are asked randomly they may choose not to take part in the research, as opposed to being recruited through snowballing or because they wish to take part as a volunteer sampling;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 sociologists might use covert participant observation in sociological research. Possible answers:
it is useful when researching deviant or criminal groups as going undercover will enable ‘secret’ behaviours to be uncovered and recorded;ethics – in the study of dangerous groups going covert whilst participating should protect the researcher from possible harm;the covert nature of the research also means that the researcher is much more likely to gain a true picture of the group’s behaviour and views because the researcher is taking part secretly;it avoids the Hawthorne Effect so the behaviour of the group will not change due to the researcher’s presence;covert participant research usually takes place in a naturalistic setting and so the normal behaviour of the group can be studied often over a period of time;interpretivists would like it because the participant nature of the research means that a deep understanding of the group can be achieved due to the covert nature thus enhancing validity;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 statistics useful in sociological research? Possible answers: Arguments for:
positivists like to use them because they are quantitative data and hence tend to be more reliable;statistics are often large scale and therefore more likely to be representative and generalisable;
positivists believe that quantitative data such as statistics can be used to generate social ‘facts’ or ‘laws’ which can then be used to predict human social behaviour;statistics are often free and widely available on the internet and therefore they are cheap and easy to use;statistics can be used to make comparisons between different types of data or different social groups such as men and women or different age groups;statistics can be used to identify trends so they are useful as part of longitudinal studies because they can show changes over time in key social areas such as crime, education, marriage etc.statistics as secondary data may provide a useful overview or context for primary research in ‘setting the scene’;statistics often go back a long way and can therefore be used to make historical comparisons e.g. changing population trends as documented in the census;any other reasonable response. Arguments against:interpretivists may be suspicious of statistics because they are a form of quantitative data and this cannot give meanings, motives and individuals interpretations thus lowering the overall validity of the research;even though statistics are often free to use they are not always cheap to collect e.g. a large team is required to capture and analyse the census data;official statistics are collected for administrative purposes rather than for research purposes, thus the data which exists and the categories and indicators used might not fit a researcher’s specific research purposes;some statistics lack validity e.g. the official crime statistics miss a large hidden figure and hence are only of limited use in studying crime;statistics – both official and non-official can be biased to make the company/government look good thus lowering their validity;the way that trends are measured over time can change and this can make historical comparisons difficult and unreliable e.g. changes to the way unemployment or crimes are measured;because they are secondary data the researcher cannot check the validity of the initial research and so may be relying on data which is not accurate;unlike statistics qualitative primary methods such as unstructured interviews allow researchers to probe for detail about meanings and motivations, this enhances validity;participant observation allows researchers to gain verstehen by seeing and experiencing things from an insider’s point of view – something which statistics cannot achieve;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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