Sociology · May / June 2025 · Paper 12 · Question 1
0495
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The question as text
Read Source A and then answer the questions below. 1 Source A Fig. 1.1 shows the number of people aged under 25 in selected countries. The data shows population changes in these countries between 1975 and 2015. The secondary data in the chart was gathered by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO employs professional researchers to produce its statistics using census data from each country. The researchers rounded data up or down to the nearest million people. India China United States countries Japan Pakistan people aged under 25 (in millions) 380 540 540 550 450 610 98 45 47 25 41 98 105 80 120 key 1975 1995 2015 population aged under 25 in selected countries Fig. 1.1 Source: adapted from the website ‘Our World in Data’.
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1(a)(i)[2]
From Source A, identify two countries where there has been an increase in the number of people aged under 25 between 1975 and 2015. Award one mark for each point correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of two). Possible answers:
IndiaPakistanUnited States1(a)(ii)[4]
Using information in Source A, explain two reasons why the data is useful for studying population change in people aged under 25. Award one mark for each point correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of two). Award one mark for each point that is developed (up to a maximum of two). Possible answers:
the data covers 1975 to 2015/a long period of time, a span of 40 years, which is more than a snapshot and gives a good overview of population changes in the under 25s across time;the data is quantitative/in graph or chart form – which allows researchers to easily analyse and compare the numbers of people aged under 25 in each country;the data is in numerical form – this allows researchers to compare the number of under 25s in each country across time to see whether there are patterns or trends;the data comes from the census in each country – these are official statistics that will have been put together by officials working for the government who will measure the data in a professional and accurate manner and thus give an accurate picture of the population under 25;the data is secondary data – this is useful to sociologists who cannot hope to measure population change in the under 25s by themselves, using primary methods;the data was gathered by the World Health Organisation (WHO) who use professional researchers – this means that the data will have been collected efficiently and properly, so the data is trustworthy;population changes between different countries can be understood – this may lead to further research and policy implementation by governments etc.;the data is rounded up or down – it allows researchers an easy way to identify change/understand the numbers involved in population change in the under 25s in each country;any other reasonable answer.1(a)(iii)[6]
Using information in Source A, explain three reasons why the data may not be useful for understanding population change. Award one mark for each point correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of three). Award one mark for each point that is developed (up to a maximum of three). Possible answers:
the data is only for the under 25s – this means it is unrepresentative as we have no data for the changes on people aged 25 and over;the data only show 5 countries/a few countries – 5 countries is inadequate for a full understanding global population change across the world;the data is quantitative – mere numbers cannot help us to understand reasons why populations change and hence it lacks full validity;the data has been adapted – this means that they may have been altered or data omitted, making the data presented inaccurate;the original data was collected by the governments of each country – we cannot be sure that the data has been collected properly, published without bias etc.;the data is secondary data – we cannot be sure that the methods used were appropriate or accurate e.g. in some countries not all people may be officially registered;the figures have been rounded up or down, this means that the numbers given are not fully accurate;the data is from 1975–2015/is outdated – this data may not be true/accurate for today’s populations and hence lack validity;any other reasonable answer.1(b)[2]
State two stages in research design. Award one mark for each stage correctly identified from Source A (up to a maximum of two). Possible answers:
identifying a topic for research;reviewing existing evidence/literature review;developing a hypothesisdeveloping aims;identifying the target population;choosing a method;sampling;operationalisation;pilot studies;implementing the research method (considering potential problems with methods ahead of the study);securing funding if needed;any other reasonable answer.1(c)[4]
Explain one strength and one limitation of participant observation. Award one mark for a strength correctly identified. Award one mark for development of the strength. Award one mark for a limitation correctly identified. Award one mark for development of the limitation. Possible strengths:
observations take place in a naturalistic setting, usually over a period of time, so the normal behaviour of people is seen, giving valid information;by taking part the researcher can gain a deep understanding of the group’s behaviour because they can see things from the point of view of those involved (verstehen);by directly observing a group a researcher can see what they actually do as opposed to what they say they do, giving an accurate picture of social reality;it is perhaps the best method for studying deviant groups, often via a gatekeeper, to achieve access and a level of understanding that cannot be otherwise achieved e.g. Venkatesh study on gangs;it can provide detailed qualitative data giving insight into group interactions and behaviour;any other reasonable answer. Possible limitations:the Hawthorne effect – the presence of the researcher may affect the behaviour of the group leading to inaccurate data;participant observation is not a standardised method – reliability is low because the research is very difficult to repeat and therefore check;as only one or a small number of groups can be studied it is unlikely that generalisations can be made about other groups;there may be issues in gaining acceptance into a group, recording data tactfully, leaving the group and analysing the data;the researcher should ideally share similar social characteristics to those under observation (e.g. same gender and ethnicity, similar age) so that group members accept them;researchers may lose their objectivity/become biased if they come to like or identify with the group and see things from their point of view – this can lead to a loss of validity in data;participant observation can be time consuming to set up as researchers may need to spend time accessing/being accepted by a group and the study itself can take several months or even years;a researcher who is participating in a deviant group may be put under pressure to do illegal acts, potentially breaking ethics;if participant observation is done covertly there is a lack of informed consent and hence this will break ethical guidelines;participant observation can be expensive to set up as the researcher may need to rent a place to live or buy things that make him/her acceptable within the group;any other reasonable answer.1(d)[10]
Evaluate the effectiveness of semi-structured interviews in sociological research. Your answer should include:
at least two arguments for and two arguments againsta conclusion. Use Table A to mark answers to this question. Possible arguments for:interpretivists like semi-structured interviews as they are flexible and offer the possibility to probe respondents in new directions and thus increase the amount of qualitative data achieved;if done well they can provide detailed valid data, for example if rapport is achieved and the respondent is put at ease;there are some standardised questions which can provide some quantitative or comparable data which increases reliability in comparison to unstructured interviews;the researcher can assess the honesty and validity of the answers as they are given which is impossible with methods where no researcher is present;semi-structured interviews are higher in validity than structured interviews as question wording can be changed to suit participant and explanation can be offered if questions are misunderstood by respondent;more relaxed than structured interviews which helps build rapport and trust allowing the respondent to open up;semi-structured interviews can gather quantitative data that is easier to express in charts and graphs;any other reasonable answer. Possible arguments against:they require a researcher to be present thus increasing the chance of the interviewer effect occurring leading to lower validity in data;interviews are time consuming both to carry out and transcribe and are thus not as practical as methods such as questionnaires and surveys;it can be difficult to make generalisations as the sample size may be smaller and thus likely unrepresentative;the number of standardised questions is limited so they are less reliable than structured interviews and spontaneous questions won’t be replicated in other interviews;they are not as fully flexible as unstructured interviews as they are an interview rather than a conversation which allows the respondent to lead the researcher into new areas;a skilled researcher is needed as some questions are developed in response to answers given and the researcher needs to develop a rapport with the respondent;any other reasonable answer.1(e)[12]
Explain the research methods and evidence you would choose to investigate age inequality in the workplace. Give reasons for your choices. Your answer should include:
two primary methods with relevant samplingone source of secondary evidence. Use Table B to mark answers to this question. Possible methods:interviews;questionnaires;surveys;observation (all types);case studies;longitudinal studies;any other reasonable method. Possible sampling points:the group to be studied;the size of sample;the type of sample;the composition of the sample;access to the sample;any other reasonable sampling points. Possible sources of secondary evidence:official and non-official statistics (e.g. employment/promotion rates of different age groups etc.);previous sociological and other research on ageism in the workplace;media materials (e.g. social networking sites, magazine articles, blogs, forums, TV documentaries, newspaper articles etc. that look at age inequality in the workplace);personal documents/diaries/social network entries of individuals recording their experiences of inequality in the workplace;any other reasonable evidence.
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