Sociology · May / June 2023 · Paper 11 · Question 1
0495
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Source A 1 How do people spend their time? The table below shows the average number of minutes per day spent doing various activities in selected countries. The data comes from diaries filled in by females aged 15-60 during one week in December 2016. Table 1.1 Leisure time Housework and shopping Sleep Paid work Country 228 123 542 315 China 253 160 528 272 India 305 133 508 235 UK 331 141 498 224 Germany 258 89 471 288 South Korea 323 162 513 149 Italy Adapted from source: Our World in Data
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1(a)[2]
From Source A, identify the two countries with the most leisure time. Acceptable answers:
GermanyItaly One mark for each correctly identified country from Source A (up to a maximum of two).1(b)[2]
Identify two types of observation used by sociologists in their research. Possible answers:
covertovertparticipantnon-participantany other reasonable response. One mark for each type correctly identified (up to a maximum of two).1(c)[4]
Using information from Source A, describe two reasons why the data may not be accurate. Possible answers:
the data table is adapted from the source and may have been altered or changed which may negatively affect accuracy;the data is from 2016 and so may not be accurate for today;the data comes from diaries which may not have been filled in correctly and hence they may lack accuracy e.g. the women knew their diaries were for sociological research and this may have affected their entries;the diaries were self-completion and social desirability may occur e.g. the females may have altered the data to make themselves look more hard-working;the diaries were only filled in for one week which is a snapshot and may not give an accurate picture for these respondents on most days of the year;the information only comes from December which may be an unusual month and hence it may not give an accurate picture of the year as a whole;the data is quantitative and thus gives no information as to why the women spent the time they did on each activity;any other reasonable response. One mark for each point correctly identified from the source (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each point correctly developed from the source (up to a maximum of two).1(d)[4]
Describe two strengths of using open questions in sociological research. Possible answers:
open questions allow respondents to go into depth and detail and therefore accuracy is enhanced;open questions are less likely to lead to biased data as the respondent is free to use their own words;open questions allow the respondent to speak in their own words and this increases the validity of the data;open questions allow for qualitative data to be gained which interpretivists favour;open questions allow for an unlimited range of answers and hence give access to a bigger picture;as well as giving access to what people think open questions also allow for feelings to be explored;any other reasonable response. One mark for each strength correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each strength correctly developed (up to a maximum of two).1(e)[8]
Describe two strengths and two limitations of using secondary data in sociological research. Possible answers: Strengths:
it is economical because it costs little or nothing – secondary data is often freely available on the internet;it is easy to access – researchers only have to search on the internet and a wealth of secondary data will be found;it is time–saving – secondary research has already been done by other researchers which means that time and effort is saved;secondary data is often used at the beginning of a research project to survey any published research on the topic and this can help to shape the primary research by finding gaps;sometimes secondary data is the only source of information that sociologists can use – for example when studying the past, historical documents may be the only possible data source;secondary data sources often allow comparisons to be made over time e.g. statistics;any other reasonable response. Limitations:secondary data from the past may be outdated and hence of little value when studying contemporary society e.g. old statistics or historical documents;secondary data may not exactly fit the researcher’s needs as it was done by others for a different purpose;as the data has been collected by others there are no guarantees that the information was collected ethically or that the information is valid;secondary data such as official statistics may reflect the biases of those in power and hence present invalid data;with secondary data such as official statistics – the way things are defined and measured may change over time, making historical comparisons difficult or the data unreliable;secondary data such as documents may lack authenticity – parts of the document might be missing because of age, and we might not even be able to verify who wrote the document, meaning we cannot check whether it is biased or not;many older documents do not survive because they are not stored, and others deteriorate with age and become unusable;some secondary data such as documents are deliberately withheld from researchers and the public gaze, and therefore do not become available;any other reasonable response. One mark for each strength correctly identified (up to a maximum of two). One mark for each strength correctly 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 correctly developed (up to a maximum of two).1(f)[10]
Explain why interpretivists criticise quantitative data. Possible answers:
interpretivists aim to uncover respondents’ thoughts and reasons and quantitative methods such as questionnaires cannot uncover these because they use closed questions;quantitative methods only give numbers and statistics which fail to understand the reasons and motivations behind the figures and this is inadequate;interpretivists believe that social behaviour is not predictable or measurable and hence quantitative methods miss the mark in terms of understanding social reality;interpretivists argue that quantitative methods are just as liable to bias as qualitative methods, e.g. official statistics can often be biased;quantitative data methods often use large sample sizes and a macro approach but interpretivists believe that the data gained fails to understand how respondents make sense of their reality and for this a micro approach is needed;quantitative methods often dismiss the importance of rapport and therefore run the risk of under–reporting of sensitive issues such as domestic violence;according to interpretivists individuals are complex and different people experience and understand the same reality in quite different ways and quantitative scientific methods are not appropriate;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 may the presence of a researcher negatively affect sociological research? Possible arguments for:
the interviewer effect – the social characteristics of the interviewer may affect the responses given e.g. a male interviewer talking to a woman about domestic violence;interviewer bias – where an interviewer’s own views or prejudices affect the questions asked;researcher bias may occur when interpreting results e.g. when writing up a summary of an interview the researcher may misinterpret what has been said in the light of his/her own subjectivity and beliefs;the presence of a researcher may lead to social desirability and hence lower the validity of any data gained;the Hawthorne Effect – in overt observation the presence of an observer affects the way that people behave and hence lowers the validity of the data;in non–participant observation there is a real possibility that the researcher may miss or misunderstand the meanings and motivations behind social action as he/she is not talking part;researchers who are not prepared or who are unskilled can make the interviewee feel ill at ease and the data will be negatively affected in terms of quantity and quality;in ethnographic studies the researcher may ‘go native’ and lose objectivity due to developing empathy with the group or culture under study;any other reasonable response. Possible arguments against:interpretivists believe that if a researcher is present rapport and trust can be established and answers are more likely to be in depth and valid;a researcher who is present during research can ensure a better response rate – if a researcher is not present when questionnaires are filled in it may result in a lower response rate;a researcher can clarify misunderstandings – if a researcher is not present when questionnaires are filled in it may result in less valid or missed questions due to the respondent not fully understanding the question or what is required;a researcher who is present within a group during participant observation can observe the social reality from an insider’s point of view, thus opening the possibility for verstehen to be gained;a researcher who is present for a qualitative interview can prompt and probe the respondent thus gaining more valid information;if a researcher is present whilst a questionnaire is being completed, they can ensure that the right people are doing the questionnaire;in an interview situation the interviewer can follow issues up and enhance the quality of the data gathered which would be impossible otherwise;a researcher can assess the honesty and validity of responses during an interview, something which is impossible with methods where no researcher is present;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. 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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