Official statistics

    AQA
    GCSE

    Official statistics constitute a secondary source of quantitative data collected by government agencies (e.g., ONS) and state departments. In the context of A-Level Sociology, candidates must critically evaluate these sources not merely as neutral facts, but as potential social constructs. The study encompasses the dichotomy between Positivist acceptance of statistics as 'social facts' (Durkheim) and Interpretivist critiques regarding validity, the 'dark figure' of unrecorded data, and state manipulation. Mastery requires application across substantive topics: Crime (police recorded figures vs. victim surveys), Education (league tables), and Demography (Census data).

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for explicit definition of Official Statistics as quantitative data collected by government agencies (e.g., ONS).
    • Credit application of 'reliability' regarding standardized collection methods (e.g., the Census).
    • Reward analysis of 'validity' issues, specifically the social construction of statistics (e.g., police discretion in recording crime).
    • Candidates must evaluate utility: high generalisability due to sample size versus lack of depth/insight into reasons for behaviour.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for explicit definition of Official Statistics as quantitative data collected by government agencies (e.g., ONS).
    • Credit application of 'reliability' regarding standardized collection methods (e.g., the Census).
    • Reward analysis of 'validity' issues, specifically the social construction of statistics (e.g., police discretion in recording crime).
    • Candidates must evaluate utility: high generalisability due to sample size versus lack of depth/insight into reasons for behaviour.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡In 12-mark questions, use the 'Item' immediately in the first paragraph to secure AO2 application marks.
    • 💡Contrast Official Statistics with qualitative methods (e.g., unstructured interviews) to highlight the lack of 'Verstehen'.
    • 💡Use the terms 'Hard Statistics' (births/deaths) and 'Soft Statistics' (crime/unemployment) to show depth.
    • 💡Allocate 15 minutes for the 12-mark 'Discuss how far' question to ensure a concluded argument.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'validity' (truth/accuracy) with 'reliability' (repeatability/consistency).
    • Treating all official statistics as 'hard facts' rather than socially constructed data (soft statistics).
    • Failing to explicitly reference the provided 'Item' in 12-mark questions, limiting marks to Band 2.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss how far
    Evaluate

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