Sociology · May / June 2022 · Paper 11 · Question 1
0495
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The table shows the life expectancy for people in six countries between 1990 and 2018. 1 The data is gathered from each country’s official statistics, such as census and death records. Table 1.1 2018 2010 2000 1990 Country 77.5 76 74 72 Argentina 73 70 65 58 Bangladesh 70 67 63 58 India 75 73 72 69 Mauritius 68 65 63 60 Pakistan 65 57 46 46 Uganda Source: adapted from World Bank Data Report: World Development Indicators.
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1(a)[2]
From Source A, identify the two countries that have the highest life expectancy in 2000. Acceptable answers:
Argentina and Mauritius. One mark for each correct country identified up to a maximum of two.1(b)[2]
Identify two reasons for the interviewer effect. Possible answers:
where a respondent’s answers are affected by the gender of the interviewer;where a respondent’s answers are affected by the ethnicity of the interviewer;where a respondent’s answers are affected by the age of the interviewer;where a respondent’s answers are affected by the social class/status of the interviewer;where a respondent’s answers are affected by the body language of the interviewer;any other reasonable response. Two marks for any two reasons identified (up to a maximum of two).1(c)[4]
Using information from Source A, describe two problems with the data gathered on life expectancy. Possible answers:
the source is adapted which means it may have been altered in some way e.g. shortened, data being added or taken out or changed. This means that the data could be inaccurate;the latest data in the table comes from 2018 which means that it is now out of date and inaccurate for today;the data has been gathered from ‘each country’s official statistics’ – this means they could be biased as governments may exaggerate increases in life expectancy for political gain;some of the data has come from census records and these might not be complete and are thus possibly inaccurate e.g. homeless people are not recorded on the census;death records may not be complete depending on the administrative processes in a country, hence their validity may be lowered;the data on life expectancy is quantitative – it lacks any qualitative information as to why the figures are as they are;the data is secondary data – because it has been created by other researchers the accuracy cannot be guaranteed;any other reasonable response. One mark for each point that appropriately references the source (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each point that is correctly developed (up to a maximum of two).1(d)[4]
Describe two strengths of using comparative studies in research. Possible answers:
researchers can compare the social behaviour of different groups across societies e.g. Durkheim’s Suicide study compared suicide in different cultures;researchers can compare the social behaviour of groups across time to establish the extent to which change has occurred e.g. in life expectancy;by comparing variables sociologists can establish patterns and trends in social behaviour e.g. whether there have been increases or decreases in educational performance in key population groups;comparative studies allow sociologists to establish correlations and even causal relationships between variables e.g. Weber’s ‘Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’;comparative studies can be entirely based on secondary data and hence can be relatively cheap for researchers;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 using social surveys in sociological research. Possible strengths:
due to the quantitative nature of the data sociologists can use survey data to make comparisons e.g. between the responses of different cohorts;the closed question format of surveys is useful for generating patterns and trends in data;surveys are generally high in reliability due to the structured nature of the format, hence they can be repeated and similar responses will be gained;they can be done on a large scale via questionnaire and so sample size may be more representative of target population;it is possible to access geographically distant populations via post, telephone or online surveys, enhancing representativeness;if the survey is done via self-completion questionnaire a researcher is not present so cannot influence answers given, raising validity;if done via questionnaire they are convenient for the respondent who can complete it in their own time;due to fact that surveys are often quantitative they can be easily analysed by putting the data into tables, charts, graphs etc.;any other reasonable response. Possible limitations:survey responses are low if done via self-completion questionnaire which may affect the representativeness of the sample;surveys are not always valid;their findings may not always be accurate or reflect reality – this may be because closed or structured questions are mainly used with no room for respondents to elaborate and give detail;
if done via questionnaire the researcher cannot always be sure who answered the questions and this may invalidate the responses as the person may not be in the targeted sample;in questionnaires respondents often leave some questions unanswered, as there is no researcher present, and this means that data will be incomplete;if a survey is done via structured interview the interviewer effect may take place thus lowering the validity of the data;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 use pilot studies as part of their research. Possible answers:
to see whether the questions used in the research are effective in gaining appropriate responses;to check for ethical issues with the methods used e.g. that no harm will come to the researcher or the subjects of research;to check that an appropriate sample can be accessed;to check whether the methods used are likely to yield the kind of data that will enable the researchers to answer their question;to check whether the answers given cover the kinds of responses that researchers want;to check for any problems in the way the research is due to be carried out and this may save time and cost;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 is the Marxist view of society correct? Possible answers: Arguments for:
Marxism is an example of the conflict perspective in sociology and it is clear that there is disagreement and conflict in modern industrial societies over levels of inequality in wealth, status and power;the function of key social institutions such as education is to socialise and brainwash people into conformity with capitalist ideology and its values of competition, greed and privatised family life;the key function of the media is to distract people’s attention from the realities of oppression and inequality towards a preoccupation with superficiality and trivia e.g. celebrity role models and commodity fetishism;the formal agents of social control are used against the masses during protests against inequality such as riots and demonstrations;figures on white collar crime show that whilst the middle and upper classes commit the highest value crimes it is the lower classes who are criminalised and punished most severely for crime;any other reasonable response. Arguments against:functionalists argue that society is built on value consensus, not the social conflict espoused by Marxists and this is shown by the low levels of social unrest, revolution etc.;schools function to provide key skills, norms and values that young people need to take their place in the economy of a society. This is crucial to all members of society rather than just the elite;the function of families is not simply to shore up capitalism but to socialise young people into the norms and values of wider society so that social order is maintained from one generation to the next;the function of prisons is to punish all wrongdoers from whatever class they come from – white collar criminals are increasingly being caught and punished in a globalised, internet-driven world;functionalists use the organic analogy to describe society and this can be easily evidenced, e.g. if there is an increase in crime then governments might target policies aimed at alleviating poverty in the family or getting schools to deliver more effective socialisation into conformity with norms, values and the law;feminists disagree that class is the main social division, arguing instead that gender is the fundamental division that creates the most fundamental inequalities in society as patriarchy cuts across all social classes;some sociologists argue that class alone cannot explain social division and inequality but that gender, age and ethnicity must be taken into account, along with class, to fully understand how society works;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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