Research Methods: Research Design (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Exam Questions

In 2022, Crisis UK, a homelessness charity, predicted that homelessness will continue to rise in the next 20 years. You have been asked to carry out sociological research on the reasons why people become homeless.

Identify a suitable research method that could be used.

Explain two practical problems with research into homelessness.

Explain and evaluate the use of your chosen research method to study homelessness.

In September 2019 there were climate protests in London. These involved large numbers of people going out to protest. You have been asked to carry out sociological research on the day of the protest.

Identify a suitable qualitative research method that could be used.

Explain two reasons why this is a suitable method.

Explain and evaluate the problems of using your chosen research method to study a large crowd at a protest march.

Select the appropriate term from the box to complete the sentences below.

...................................... refers to whether research is morally right or wrong.

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Describe what is meant by representative.

You have been asked to carry out sociological research to investigate schoolchildren’s views on vaping.

Identify one research method that would be suitable for your research into schoolchildren’s views on vaping.

Describe two reasons why the method you have chosen is suitable for research into schoolchildren’s views on vaping.

Explain and evaluate the problems you may experience when researching schoolchildren’s views on vaping.

Select the appropriate term from the box to complete the sentences below.

............................ refers to how close research is to the truth.

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Describe what is meant by quantitative data.

Explain two advantages of using a pilot study in research.

Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of using two different methods in research.

You should explore at least two strengths and two weaknesses in your response.

Use the words in the box below to fill in the spaces in the statements that follow.

A group of people selected for study by chance.

A secondary school wants to find out about the reasons for children not attending school. The researcher has decided to use questionnaires to investigate this.

Identify one practical problem that the researcher might have.

Select the appropriate term from the box to complete the sentences below.

...................... refers to data in the form of words.

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Describe what is meant by sampling.

Explain two ethical issues the researchers would have considered for this research.

Use the words in the box below to fill in the spaces in the statements that follow.

A process where people are selected to take part in research.

You have been asked to carry out sociological research into the effects of poverty on people’s lives.

Identify one suitable research method that you may choose.

Outline two reasons why this would be a suitable method to use for this research.

Discuss the problems involved in this research.

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

A recent sociological study looked at teenagers’ attitudes to marriage. The primary method used was questionnaires. Over a thousand teenagers answered questions on the subjects of marriage and their futures.

Describe what is meant by a primary method.

You are asked to carry out sociological research into the use of social media by young people.

Identify a method that you would use to carry out research into this.

Explain one strength of using this method for your research.

Explain one weakness of using this method for your research.

Discuss the benefits of using more than one method of research (mixed methods approach) for your research.