How do sociologists carry out research, and what kinds of data do they use?
The stages of the research process, the aim and hypothesis, the difference between primary and secondary data, and the difference between quantitative and qualitative data.
A focused answer on the research process and types of data for WJEC GCSE Sociology: the stages of research, aims and hypotheses, primary and secondary data, and quantitative and qualitative data.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers the research process and the types of data sociologists use. You need to describe the stages of research (choosing a topic, writing an aim and hypothesis, choosing a method, collecting and analysing data, and reaching conclusions), explain the difference between primary and secondary data, and explain the difference between quantitative and qualitative data, with examples. Research methods are worth at least 15 percent of the marks, so this is a core part of the course.
The stages of the research process
Primary and secondary data
Quantitative and qualitative data
Try this
Q1. Give one example of secondary data. [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. Examples of secondary data include official statistics, newspaper reports, diaries, letters, and the findings of other sociologists' studies, all collected by someone other than the researcher.
Q2. Explain what a hypothesis is. [Short explanation]
- Cue. A hypothesis is a statement or prediction that the research sets out to test, for example "girls do better than boys in English", which the sociologist then tries to support or reject using the data they collect.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC (Component 2)2 marksExplain the difference between primary and secondary data.Show worked answer →
A short knowledge question (AO1). Reward a clear contrast.
Primary data. Information the researcher collects themselves, first-hand, for example through a questionnaire or interview.
Secondary data. Information that already exists and was collected by someone else, such as official statistics or newspaper reports.
Top marks. A clear definition of each, showing primary is first-hand and secondary already exists.
WJEC (Component 2)4 marksExplain the difference between quantitative and qualitative data, using examples.Show worked answer →
An explain question (AO1 and AO2). Reward a clear contrast with examples.
Quantitative data. Data in the form of numbers, such as the percentage of pupils who pass an exam, often from questionnaires.
Qualitative data. Data in the form of words and meanings, such as how pupils feel about school, often from interviews.
Top band. A clear definition of each with an example, showing numbers versus words and meanings.
Related dot points
- The main primary research methods: questionnaires, interviews, observations and experiments, and the strengths and weaknesses of each for sociological research.
A focused answer on primary research methods for WJEC GCSE Sociology: questionnaires, structured and unstructured interviews, participant and non-participant observation, and experiments, with the strengths and weaknesses of each.
- The idea of a sample and a sampling frame, the main sampling methods including random and quota sampling, and the secondary sources sociologists use such as official statistics and the mass media.
A focused answer on sampling and secondary sources for WJEC GCSE Sociology: samples and sampling frames, random and quota sampling, representativeness, and secondary sources such as official statistics and the mass media.
- The practical, ethical and theoretical considerations that affect the choice of research method, the role of pilot studies, and the meaning of reliability and validity.
A focused answer on research considerations for WJEC GCSE Sociology: practical, ethical and theoretical factors in choosing a method, pilot studies, and the meaning of reliability and validity.
- The definitions of crime and deviance and how they vary by time and place, and how crime is measured through official statistics and victim surveys, including the problem of the dark figure of unrecorded crime.
A focused answer on crime, deviance and crime measurement for WJEC GCSE Sociology: the definitions of crime and deviance, how they vary, and measuring crime through official statistics and victim surveys, including the dark figure.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Sociology (Wales) specification (C200QS) — WJEC (2017)