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Sociology · Oct / Nov 2024 · Paper 11 · Question 1

0495

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Source A 1 Geoff Pearson studied football supporters in Blackpool, a town in the UK. His research took place between 1995 and 1998, when violence between supporters at football matches was frequent. He studied the supporters of one football club called Blackpool F.C. To get a better understanding of violence between supporters, Pearson used covert participant observation. Pearson did not live in Blackpool, so to become recognised as a Blackpool F.C. supporter he went to pubs near the stadiums to socialise with other supporters. Pearson also attended 78 football matches. After Pearson was recognised as a Blackpool F.C. supporter, he was accepted into a small gang of supporters who committed violence and other crimes at football matches. During his research, Pearson was put under pressure by the gang to be violent and commit crimes. Pearson was able to avoid being violent but not committing any crimes would have looked suspicious to the gang. So, to avoid suspicion Pearson committed some crimes during his covert participant observation. Adapted from Covert Hooligan: Studying Football Violence from the Inside: Dr Geoff Pearson

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  • 1(a)[2]

    From Source A, identify two ways Pearson became recognised as a Blackpool F.C. supporter. Acceptable answers:

    he went to pubs near the stadiums to socialise with other supporters
    attended 78 football matches. One mark for each issue correctly identified (up to a maximum of two).

  • 1(b)[2]

    Identify two primary methods that could be used to study football fans, apart from observation. Possible answers:

    questionnaire
    survey
    structured interview
    unstructured interview
    semi-structured interview
    focus groups
    group interview
    case studies
    longitudinal study
    triangulation
    any other reasonable response. One mark for each method identified (up to maximum of two).

  • 1(c)[4]

    Using information from Source A, describe two criticisms of Pearson’s research. Possible answers:

    he studied the supporters of one football club called Blackpool F.C., the study was not representative and so wider conclusions could not be drawn;
    Pearson did not live in Blackpool, this meant Pearson had to make great efforts to be recognised as a supporter of the football club;
    Pearson was put under pressure by the gang to be violent and commit crimes;

    this is an ethical concern as researchers should not break the law;

    to avoid suspicion Pearson committed some crimes during his covert participant observation, Pearson was in danger of ‘going native’ and becoming too involved in the group – losing objectivity;
    Pearson used covert participant observation;

    it is unethical to do covert research as the participants are unable to give informed consent;

    his research took place between 1995 and 1998, covert participant observation can be very time consuming as the researcher needs to gain the trust of the study group;
    as the research was covert participant observation the researcher had to rely on his memory rather than taking notes - this could impact validity;
    the research was covert participant observation therefore he failed to gain the consent of the participant, breaking ethics;
    covert participant observation is a method lacking in reliability, with so many variables it is impossible to repeat such a study to check findings;
    any other reasonable responses. 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 triangulation in sociological research. Possible answers:

    allows the researcher to support quantitative data with qualitative examples, thereby providing a study with reliability and validity;
    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 e.g. using observation to support data gained from a questionnaire;
    triangulation may be used to counteract theoretical criticisms by using methods that appeal to both positivists and interpretivists and this may give both macro and micro perspectives on the same issue;
    triangulation expands the research in a way that a single approach can’t, and this can develop new areas and ideas for research;
    triangulation allows researchers to gather more data than simply a single method – this will give a bigger picture;
    triangulation allows a researcher to pick methods that are fit for purpose or suitable for that particular study allowing for a more accurate picture to be gained e.g. using unstructured interviews and observation to study people’s experiences of work;
    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 postal questionnaires in sociological research. Possible strengths:

    it is possible to reach large numbers of people so that you can have a large sample which may make your results more representative and easier to generalise;
    it is relatively cheap compared to structured interviews because no trained researchers are needed, they are simply sent by post;
    the researcher is not present when the questionnaires are filled in and therefore cannot influence the answers given, enhancing validity;
    it is relatively easy to reach wide geographical areas by post, improving the representativeness of the sample;
    they are convenient for the respondent as they can fill them in when they choose;
    if using closed questions in a questionnaire it is easy to analyse e.g. quantify and generate statistics, patterns and trends;
    questions are pre-set and standardised and therefore they are high in reliability, so the method could be repeated and the same or similar findings are likely to occur;
    questionnaires tend to give quantitative data due to the closed questions and this allows researchers to easily analyse the data;
    any other reasonable response. Possible limitations:
    findings may not be representative as there is generally a low response rate to postal questionnaires as compared to structured interviews for example;
    questionnaires in general tend to have a lower response rate than other methods like interviews, thus impacting the amount of data received;
    respondents may lie or exaggerate or not take the questionnaire seriously, which impacts on validity;
    questionnaires usually do not yield in-depth, qualitative data so lack detail and hence validity;
    researchers cannot be sure the questionnaire has been completed by the intended recipient potentially affecting the representativeness of the sample;
    questions may be misunderstood by the respondent and the researcher is not able to explain, this impacts on validity;
    respondents may have to select a less valid option i.e. where questionnaires include multiple choice options, the option they want is not available and this may negatively impact on the accuracy of the picture gained;
    because they are sent by post there is a cost element to this method and a sending out to a large sample may prove more expensive than, say, an online questionnaire;
    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 interviews may lack objectivity. Possible answers:

    objectivity may be lost because interview bias may intentionally or unintentionally affect the way questions are asked or answers interpreted;
    objectivity may be lost because responses may be affected by the interviewer effect, which is the answers are affected by the sex, age or ethnicity of the researcher;
    objectivity may be lost because respondents in interviews may give socially desirable answers, as they may try and tell the researcher what they think they want to hear;
    objectivity may be lost because some interviewers may ask leading questions and thus direct the respondent to answer in a particular way;
    objectivity may be lost because when conducting unstructured interviews, the researcher can become too close to the participant as they try and build rapport;
    objectivity may be lost because when conducting group interviews there is always the danger that some participants may dominate the group forcing interviewees to agree with opinions they don’t share to avoid confrontation;
    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 representativeness the most important factor in sociological research? Possible arguments for:

    if a sample is not representative of the research population biased findings may be gained e.g. self-selecting samples;
    if the research sample is representative then the researcher can apply the findings to the population being studied - this is called generalisation;
    large social surveys such as the census are representative because they take in the views of all people, as such they are useful for developing social policy and establishing social facts;
    structuralists are interested in studying society as a whole and being able to draw wider conclusions from their research, for such an approach it is vital that the data used is representative of the population;
    it is important as the use of incorrect samples can mean that it is difficult to generalise findings e.g. when a researcher uses a random sample to study a group with defined characteristics such as Black males;
    positivists are interested in trying to establish social facts and often use large representative data sets (official statistics) to facilitate this, e.g. Durkheim’s suicide study;
    researchers often try to use stratified samples as these are deemed the best way to achieve a representative sample and therefore enable generalisations to be made;
    any other reasonable response. Possible arguments against:
    research methods are more important e.g. in a study aiming to find out about people’s experiences qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews would be appropriate;
    ethical issues are the more important as there is an ethical code to follow which seeks to protect the reputation of sociology;
    practical issues are more important as without funding and resources the research will not take place;
    validity and verstehen/empathy are more important as some researchers prefer to focus on achieving a deep understanding of their respondents;
    the theoretical underpinning of the research is most important as many researchers approach their research from a particular perspective e.g. feminists, Marxists, positivists and interpretivists;
    objectivity in research is considered important by many researchers and reducing the impact of researcher bias and the imposition problems is often considered the most important part of research;
    the skill set of the researcher is more important as if not professionally trained every aspect of the research could be negatively affected including the sample, the results and how they are analysed and interpreted;
    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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