ExpertMinds LogoExpertMinds
Medium2 marksStructured
Sociological Research MethodsGeneralResearch MethodsOfficial Statistics

AQA GCSE · Question 05 · Sociological Research Methods

SOURCE TEXT:
Item A

There are concerns from some social commentators about the relatively high level of youth crime in society.

The Ministry of Justice produced a report entitled 'Youth Justice Statistics: 2018 to 2019', in which they presented the national statistics on recorded criminal behaviour amongst young people (below the age of 18). The report stated that there were 21 700 children either cautioned or sentenced in that time. Of this group:

• 85% were male
• 15% were female
• 73% were White
• 27% were Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
• 23% were aged 10–14
• 77% were aged 15–17.

Source: Ministry of Justice, 2020

QUESTION:
From Item A, examine one weakness of using government-reported statistics to research youth crime.

How to approach this question

Read Item A carefully and identify what kind of data is being presented ('recorded criminal behaviour'). Think about the general limitations of official crime statistics. Select one limitation and explain it in the context of the information given in Item A.

Full Answer

Government-reported statistics, or official statistics, are a form of secondary quantitative data. While they have strengths like being readily available and covering large populations, they have significant weaknesses for studying crime. The main weakness is that they only measure crimes that have been detected, reported, and recorded. They miss out on the 'dark figure' of crime. This means they can present a misleading picture of the extent and nature of criminal activity, potentially reflecting policing priorities rather than the reality of crime.

Common mistakes

Stating a weakness of quantitative data in general (e.g., 'lacks detail') without linking it specifically to the context of crime statistics from Item A.
04All questions06

Practice the full AQA GCSE Sociology Paper 2

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 amount of crime that goes unreported t...EasyQ02What term is commonly used by sociologists to describe the system of law enforcement in the Unite...EasyQ03Describe one way in which deviance can be seen to be socially constructed.MediumQ04Identify and describe one example of corporate crime.MediumQ06SOURCE TEXT: Item A There are concerns from some social commentators about the relatively high l...Medium
View all 22 questions →