Topic title: Research Methods (additional content for A level)
Year group: 12
When taught: Term 6
What are we learning?
- How to design a research project based on a brief given by the exam board.
Why is this important to know?
- At AS students learn the key concepts and methods of research in sociology, along with considering the pros and cons of different approaches to research.
- It is therefore important for students to begin to use this knowledge to plan how to conduct their own research.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- It builds directly upon the Research Methods learnt earlier in year 12 for the AS exam.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- Students will sit a formal exam on this topic in the summer. This topic makes up the entirety of Paper 2 and is worth 60 marks.
- They will be asked two 5 mark questions, one 20 mark question, and one 30 mark question at A Level.
- There will also be mid topic and end of topic tests on the unit when we study it.
- Students will also have recap tests / questioning / exam questions on this topic during most lessons.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of methods and sources of data
- Demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding of research methods
- Demonstrate their ability to design, analyse and evaluate their own research design
- Use examples from contemporary sociological research to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant sociological concepts and key methodological issues.
What key words are there in this topic?
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Use the key study list to ensure you know the details of the studies related to each research method:
- Click here
- There is an extension challenge set for this unit. This consists of 4 interesting tasks such as videos to watch, podcasts to listen to, articles to read and online courses to complete with a feedback task at the end. Please see your subject teacher to access this sheet.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
- There are several Sociology Review Magazine articles relevant to this topic that you can read to extend your knowledge.
- You could read some Sociology journal articles and practise identifying and evaluating the different research methods used.
- Chubb and Moe
- Rosenthal and Jacobson
- Ball, Bowe and Gerwitz
- Baroness Casey Review
- Stephen Lawrence Inquiry
- Scarman Report
- Clarke
