9699/21/M/J/15

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## **Section A**

Answer question 1.

**1** Positivists believe that the best way to find out about social behaviour is by applying the
methods of the physical sciences [e.g. chemistry and biology]. This doesn’t necessarily
mean using laboratory experiments, as to use this method in sociological research would
give rise to *ethical issues*. However, positivists do believe that sociologists should use
quantitative methods that aim to identify and measure social structures. A good example
of this approach would be Durkheim’s study of suicide. A positivist approach allows the
researcher to be as objective as possible and to prevent their own values and prejudice
intruding upon the research process. This is why positivists prefer to collect data that is
quantifiable and can be easily compared in order to establish correlations between
variables and produce reliable data. It follows from this that research should be designed
in such a way that other sociologists can replicate it and obtain similar results so as to
confirm the evidence.

**(a)** What is meant by the term *ethical issues*? [2]

1 One mark for a partial definition such as ‘participants should be accorded rights’.

2 Two marks for an accurate definition, such as researchers need to be mindful of the
rights of those participating in research and the responsibility that sociologists hold
toward them; for example, the importance of avoiding harm through the research or the
maintenance of confidentiality.

**An example on its own will not be credited. If an example is used to support a**
**definition, thereby demonstrating understanding of the term, this will be credited.**

**(b)** Describe **two** sociological research methods favoured by positivists, apart from
laboratory experiments. [4]

The following methods are acceptable:

• Questionnaires

• Structured interviews

• There may also be reference to social surveys, quantitative secondary data [official
statistics], content analysis all of which should also be credited and structured
observation.

One mark for the example plus one mark for development (2 × 2 marks).

**(c)** Explain why some sociologists have questioned the value of quantitative data. [8]

**0–4** Lower in the band a few simple points about quantitative data with no direct
reference to their methodological ‘value’ could be worth 1 or 2 marks.

Higher in the band there may be a link made to the interpretivist perspective on
research methods but without there being explicit links to some of the limitations of
quantitative data.

**5–8** Lower in the band there will be a sound account of the possible limitations of using
quantitative data in sociological research, for example, that it may not capture the
reasons for behaviour; that it is typically extracted in an artificial setting; there may
be reference to the source of the data [e.g. official statistics] and to concepts like
researcher imposition. Likely links made to the interpretivist perspective may be
somewhat implicit or partial.

Higher in the band the links between the critique of quantitative data and a
recognition of the position taken by the interpretivist approach (or any other
sociological approach which is critical of quantitative data). Responses are likely to
question and explain the validity of quantitative data. The analysis here needs to be
explicit and well informed.

**A good list of undeveloped points may gain up to six marks. To go higher,**
**there needs to be development of three or more points.**

N.B. This question asks candidates to ‘explain’, therefore there is no requirement for
assessment.

**(d)** Assess the view that the findings of sociological research are only convincing when
positivist methods are used. [11]

**0–4** Answers at this level are likely to show only limited appreciation of the issues raised
by the question.

Lower in the band, a simple answer that identifies a few basic features of positivist
methodology, perhaps linked to the scientific approach, would gain 1 or 2 marks.
Higher in the band, an answer might advance a few limited observations about the
differences between the social and natural sciences.

**5–8** Answers at this level will show some sociological knowledge and understanding of
the question.

Lower in the band, a simplistic description of the positivist and anti-positivist
positions, could gain 5 or 6 marks.

Higher in the band, a more detailed account that highlights the merits of positivist
methods would gain 7 or 8 marks. A one-sided answer that is done very well, could
also gain up to 8 marks.

A descriptive answer cannot gain more than 8 marks.

**9–11** Answers at this level will demonstrate good sociological knowledge and
understanding applied to the question. There will also be an assessment of the view
on which the question is based.

Lower in the band (9–10 marks), the assessment may be based on a simple
juxtaposition of the positivist and anti-positivist views, or may be confined to just one
or two evaluative points.

Higher in the band, the positivist position will be evaluated explicitly and in
reasonable depth. The notion of ‘only convincing’ will be directly addressed,
probably via a discussion of key concepts such as reliability, validity, objectivity and
representativeness, and/or the role of values and bias in the research process. Very
good responses might discuss the aims of research in relation to whether the
method is fit for purpose.

## **Section B**

Answer **either** question 2 **or** question 3.

**2** ‘Practical factors are more important than theoretical factors in influencing the choice of
research method in sociology.’ Explain and assess this view. [25]

**Level 1 0–6** Answers at this level are likely to be assertive and focus on a few common
sense observations.

Lower in the band, answers may be confined to one or two simple points based
on assertion/common sense understanding.

Higher in the band, there may be a wider range of simple points based on
assertion/common sense understanding. For example, the identification of
some practical considerations in the choice of research method may deserve 5
or 6 marks.

**Level 2 7–12** Answers at this level will show some sociological knowledge and understanding
of the question.

Factors discussed might include various practical considerations such as

• time, money, location, size of sample, funding, nature of the study group,
researcher skill, etc.,

and theoretical concerns such as

• The researcher’s aims, values, interests [topic choice], and attitude to key
issues such as validity, reliability, representativeness, and objectivity. Links
made to positivism, interpretivism and realism.

Lower in the band (7–9 marks), the answer may be confined to a narrow range
of points, lacking detail and possibly with some inaccuracies. A basic
explanation of practical factors that influence a researcher’s choice of research
method, with little or no further development may gain up to 9 marks.

Higher in the band (10–12 marks), answers may either cover a narrow range of
points in reasonable detail or cover a wider range of points in limited detail.
There will be some recognition that choice of research method may also be
affected by a range of factors although discussion of these will be limited either
in terms of breadth or depth or real engagement with the proposition.

**Level 3 13–18** Answers at this level will show good sociological knowledge and understanding.
The material used will be interpreted accurately and applied effectively to
answering the question.

Answers will identify a range of factors that may influence choice of research
method and show a sound understanding of the part that both practical and
theoretical factors may play in this process.

Lower in the band (13–15 marks), answers may use only a limited range of
knowledge, there will be little use of concepts/theory, and the points covered
may lack development.

Higher in the band (16–18 marks), answers will use a wider range of
knowledge, supported by the use of concepts/theory where relevant and include
some well-developed points. At the top of the band the analysis will be sharper,
though the conclusions drawn will still lack sufficient depth.

**There is no requirement for assessment at this level.**

**Level 4 19–25** Answers at this level must achieve three things:

• **First**, there will be good sociological knowledge and understanding.

• **Second**, the material used will be interpreted accurately and applied
effectively to answering the question.

• **Third**, there must also be some evidence of assessment. At this level
expect an accurate and detailed account of the relative importance of both
practical and theoretical factors in the choice of research method.

Lower in the band (19–21 marks), the assessment may be largely delivered
through juxtaposition of contrasting arguments/theories. Alternatively, the
assessment may be limited to just one or two evaluative points that are explicitly
stated. The consideration of factors may be a little unbalanced, or perhaps
covered in less depth.

Higher in the band (22–25 marks), there will be sustained assessment and the
points offered will be explicit and well-directed towards the question.
There is likely to be a well-formulated conclusion.

**3** Human behaviour can be fully explained by the process of socialisation.' Explain and
assess this view. [25]

**Level 1 0–6** Answers at this level are likely to be assertive and focus on a few common
sense observations.

Lower in the band, answers may be confined to one or two simple points based
on assertion/common sense understanding. For example, some loosely
relevant assertions about the nature of human behaviour may be worth 2 or 3
marks.

Higher in the band, there may be a wider range of simple points based on
assertion/common sense understanding. For example, a few descriptive
comments about the concept of socialisation based on a rudimentary
sociological understanding.

**Level 2 7–12** Answers at this level will show some sociological knowledge and understanding
of the question.

Answers may tend to assume that socialisation is a key factor in shaping human
behaviour rather than attempting to demonstrate this point explicitly and/or to
challenge it in some way. Simple account of the cases of feral children may
feature.

Lower in the band (7–9 marks), the answer may be confined to a narrow range
of points, lacking detail and possibly with some inaccuracies. Responses here
are likely to be limited solely or mainly to a sound account of one theory of
socialisation [most likely functionalist].

Higher in the band (10–12 marks), answers may either cover a narrow range of
points in reasonable detail or a wider range of points in limited detail. Here,
other theories of socialisation may feature alongside or in place of the
functionalist theory but these are likely to be undeveloped.

**Level 3 13–18** Answers at this level will show good sociological knowledge and understanding.
The material used will be interpreted accurately and applied effectively to the
question. There may be arguments and/or some evidence supporting the idea
that socialisation is a major factor shaping human behaviour. Feral children may
figure, as well as examples of cross-cultural and/or historical diversity in forms
of human behaviour. Durkheim may be used to demonstrate the importance of
social forces in shaping human behaviour. Other theories, typically but not
necessarily interactionist, may be developed as a way addressing the question.

Lower in the band (13–15 marks), answers may use a limited range of
knowledge, there will be less use of concepts/theory, and the points covered
may lack development.

Higher in the band (16–18 marks), answers will use a wider range of
knowledge, supported by the use of concepts/theory where relevant and include
some well-developed points. For example, an understanding of the grounds on
which it may be said that some sociologists have exaggerated the importance of
socialisation. There may be an analysis of structural theories with their tendency
to be over-deterministic [the ‘oversocialised’ model]

**There is no requirement for assessment at this level.**

**Level 4 19–25** Answers at this level must achieve three things:
• **First**, there will be good sociological knowledge and understanding.
• **Second**, the material used will be interpreted accurately and applied
effectively to answering the question.
• **Third**, there must also be some evidence of assessment. At this level
expect an accurate and detailed account of the extent to which socialisation
provides the fullest explanation of human behaviour.

Here, the interactionist perspective may be used to good effect to illustrate the
limitations of the functionalist theory of socialisation, and this may be
complemented by other lines of analysis, perhaps focusing on the conservative
and/or deterministic assumptions present in the functionalist perspective, or
possibly links with non-sociological accounts of human behaviour, such as
those in biology and psychology. A post-modernist critique of the concept of
socialisation may feature.

Lower in the band (19–21 marks), the assessment may be largely delivered
through juxtaposition of contrasting arguments/theories. Alternatively, the
assessment may be limited to just one or two evaluative points that are explicitly
stated.

Higher in the band (22–25 marks), there will be sustained assessment and the
points offered will be explicit and well-directed towards the question.
There is likely to be a well-formulated conclusion.

## Useful information (Hints)

**Question 1(a)**

**Question 1(b)**

**Question 1(c)**

**Question 1(d)**

**Question 2**

**Question 3**