Official Statistics

Question 1

Practical advantage and example

Answer 1

The state can compell people to complete the census which means that there will be a large amount of data.

2011 census refusal rate: 5%

Question 2

Practical disadvantage and example

Answer 2

Statistics are created for the benefit of the gov not sociologists. This means that there may not be data on the topic of interest

e.g. France does not collect data on race/religion

Question 3

Ethical advantage

Answer 3

Does not pose risk of harming anyone

Question 4

Ethical disadvantage

Answer 4

The gov’s ability to compell people to complete the census may mean that the people who provide this data may be giving it unwillingly

Question 5

Theoretical advantage

Answer 5

Positivists: A major source of quantitative, representative data which allows sociologists to note patterns e.g. poor academic performance and poverty

Question 6

Theoretical disadvantage (according to Cicourel)

Answer 6

They are social constructs which represent labels officials attach to people. Should be treated as a topic to investigate