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Sociology May/June 2004 Question Paper

Sociology May/June 2004

Course:Secondary Level

Exam Year:2004

1 Social surveys usually involve the use of a questionnaire. Different types of questionnaire can be used. Either the respondents are asked a series of questions, the answers to which are filled in on a form by an interviewer, or else the respondents complete the forms themselves. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the kind of information the researchers are looking for.
The type of questions used in a questionnaire may be pre-coded or open-ended. Pre-coded questions are easier to analyse and computers may be used to do this in large surveys.
The data collected by sociologists can be described as quantitative or qualitative. Data collected using questionnaires is usually in a quantitative form. Qualitative data is normally associated with in-depth studies, such as those based on participant observation.
(a) In sociological research, what is meant by the following terms:
(i) pre-coded questionnaire [2]
(ii) respondents [2]
(iii) participant observation [2]
(b) Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data. [4]
(c) Suggest two reasons why respondents may not tell the truth when answering questions in a social survey. [4]
(d) Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of using an interviewer to ask the questions in a social survey. [8]
(e) Describe two strengths and two limitations of using questionnaires as a sociological research method. [8]
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Section B: Culture and Socialisation
2 Sociologists argue that the differences in the way men and women behave are largely the result of socialisation.
(a) What is meant by the term socialisation? [2]
(b) Distinguish between primary and secondary socialisation. [4]
(c) In what ways may the behaviour of men and women differ in modern industrial societies? [6]
(d) How far may differences in the behaviour of men and women be explained in terms of socialisation? [8]
3 Some form of social control is necessary in order to ensure that people conform to the rules of society.
(a) What is meant by the term social control? [2]
(b) Distinguish between formal and informal social control. [4]
(c) What are the main sources of informal social control in modern industrial societies? [6]
(d) Who benefits from the rules of society? [8]
Section C: Social Stratification
4 There is an increasing amount of social mobility in modern industrial societies. However, it is still the case that most people remain within the social class into which they were born.
(a) What is meant by the term social mobility? [2]
(b) Describe two ways in which a person may move from one social class to another.[4]
(c) What factors make it difficult for people to achieve upward social mobility? [6]
(d) Why is there more social mobility in modern industrial societies than in more traditional societies? [8]
5 Life chances are affected by social class. Unskilled working class people often have poorer health and larger families. People in high status jobs have better education and more material possessions.
(a) What is meant by the term life chances? [2]
(b) Describe two reasons why unskilled working class people may have poorer health. [4]
(c) Explain how life chances may be affected by other factors, apart from social class. [6]
(d) Why are some occupations more highly paid than other occupations? [8]
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Section D: Power and Authority
6 Free and fair elections are an important feature of modern democratic societies.
(a) What is meant by the term democracy? [2]
(b) Describe two reasons why elections are important in a democratic political system. [4]
(c) Explain how elections may be used in societies that are not democratic. [6]
(d) Why are some groups of people more powerful than others in democratic political systems? [8]
7 The media may have an important influence on the outcome of political debates by reinforcing attitudes and setting the agenda.
(a) What is meant by the phrase setting the agenda? [2]
(b) Describe two factors, apart from the media, that may influence the outcome of political debates in modern democratic societies. [4]
(c) Explain why the free expression of opinions and ideas is considered important in democratic political systems. [6]
(d) What factors may lead to bias and distortion in media reporting of political issues? [8]

Sociology May/June 2004 Question Paper

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