Paper 2 Education and Research Methods

AS SOCIOLOGY

Paper 2 – Education and research methods

Part 2

Part 2 of the question consists of 1 (20 mark) essay question which asks you to apply your understanding of education and research methods. You should spend approx 25 minutes on this question.

This question is an assess question and therefore requires you to look at the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen method. e.g.

Item B

Investigating gender and subject choice

Sociologists have been interested in finding out how far there is a link between gender and the subjects pupils choose to study. For example, Stables and Wikely (1996) investigated the patterns of subject choice, looking to identify which subjects are more likely to be chosen by girls and which by boys. Researchers have wanted to find out the reasons behind these patterns. They have researched the effect that peer group pressure might have on choice and to what extent teacher expectations channel boys and girls into different subjects. Others have investigated the reasons why some subjects are perceived as being masculine whilst others are seen as feminine.

Using material from Item B and elsewhere, assess the strengths and limitations of one of the following methods for the study of gender and subject choice

i) Unstructured interviews

ii) Official statistics

This question requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding of sociological research methods to the study of this particular issue in education. Item B Many sociologists see anti-school subcultures within the school as a major cause of under- achievement, particularly among boys. Mac an Ghaill (1994) found that working-class boys developed a strong ‘macho culture’ in school. School became an extension of life on the streets, where fighting, football and tribal loyalties were what really mattered. These boys were not interested in school work and were likely to be in one of the lower sets. The schools objected to the boys’ ‘macho’ clothing and hairstyles, which Mac an Ghaill saw as symbolic displays of working-class masculinity. However, Feinstein (2003) argues that factors in the home are more important in determining a pupil’s chance of success at school.

Using material from Item B and elsewhere assess the strengths and limitations of one of the following methods for the study of anti school sub cultures.

i) Questionnaires

ii) Observation

This question requires you to apply your knowledge and understanding of sociological research methods to the study of this particular issue in education.