← Modern Studies syllabus

ScotlandModern Studies

Social Issues and Research Methods

3 dot points across 3 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you analyse a contemporary social issue using theory, evidence and research methods together?

Analysing a contemporary social issue: defining the issue, applying theoretical perspectives, evaluating evidence and the research behind it, and assessing policy responses and their effectiveness.
How to analyse a contemporary social issue in SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Covers defining the issue, applying theoretical perspectives, evaluating the evidence and the research methods behind it, and assessing policy responses and how their effectiveness is judged.
12 min answer →

What is social inequality, and how do competing theories explain why it exists and persists?

Social inequality and its causes: dimensions of inequality (income, wealth, class, gender, ethnicity), and competing explanations including structural, cultural and individualist theories.
How social inequality is theorised in SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Covers the dimensions of inequality (income, wealth, class, gender, ethnicity) and competing explanations, including structural, cultural and individualist theories of why inequality exists and persists.
13 min answer →

What theoretical perspectives explain social issues, and how do functionalist, conflict and feminist views differ?

Theoretical perspectives on social issues: functionalism (consensus), Marxist and conflict theory, feminism, and how each explains inequality, social order and the role of institutions.
How theoretical perspectives explain social issues in SQA Advanced Higher Modern Studies. Covers functionalism (consensus), Marxist and conflict theory, and feminism, and how each perspective explains inequality, social order and the role of institutions such as the family, education and welfare.
13 min answer →