ExpertMinds LogoExpertMinds
Easy2 marksStructured
Sociological Research MethodsResearch MethodsObservationEvaluation of ResearchEducation

AQA GCSE · Question 16 · Sociological Research Methods

SOURCE TEXT:
Item C
Becky Francis studied the ways in which gender affects students learning in school. Her research involved three different London secondary schools. The schools were all mixed-sex, with a large majority of working-class pupils. Francis used observation to record classroom interaction and student behaviour during GCSE lessons. She also carried out individual interviews.
Francis observed two top set lessons and two lower set lessons in both English and Maths in each school. She was unable to accurately record all the interaction because of the sheer noise levels in some of the classes. This limited the classroom observation.
In the majority of the lessons observed, boys dominated the classroom interaction. They were louder, and more disruptive than the girls and took up more of the teachers' attention.
Source: Francis, B, The Impact of Gender Constructions on Pupils' Learning and Educational Choices, 2005.

QUESTION:
From Item C, examine one weakness of the research.

How to approach this question

Read Item C carefully and look for any limitations or problems mentioned in the text or implied by the research design. The item explicitly mentions one problem ('unable to accurately record all the interaction'). It also gives clues about other potential weaknesses (e.g., small scale, specific location). Identify one of these and explain why it is a weakness.

Full Answer

Sociological research can be evaluated based on concepts like validity, reliability, and representativeness. Item C points to several potential weaknesses in Francis's study. 1. **Representativeness:** The sample is small (three schools) and geographically and socially specific (London, working-class). This makes it difficult to generalise the findings to the entire UK school population. 2. **Validity/Accuracy:** The item states that high noise levels meant Francis was 'unable to accurately record all the interaction'. This means the data collected may be incomplete or inaccurate, which threatens the validity of the conclusions.

Common mistakes

A common mistake is to identify a weakness of observation in general, without linking it to the specific information given in Item C. You must use the source material in your answer.
15All questions17

Practice the full AQA GCSE Sociology Paper 1

22 questions · hints · full answers · grading

Sign up freeTake the exam

More questions from this exam

Q01What term is commonly used by sociologists to describe the experience of women who have both a pa...EasyQ02What term is commonly used by sociologists to describe the way that parents channel their childre...EasyQ03Describe one example of a commune.MediumQ04Identify and describe one consequence of divorce for family members.MediumQ05From Item A, examine one strength of using statistics to research one-person households.Easy
View all 22 questions →