Official statistics Flashcards
(15 cards)
official statistics
quantitative data that has been compiled from other research methods which demonstrate trends in crime, households, education and demographics
strength: easy to access
readily available and cover a range of different topics
strength: trends
provide trends overtime so sociologists can see the impacts of social changes
strength: reliable
repeated often (e.g. crime/unemployment/economic stats published quarterly)
strength: starting point
initiator for sociological research, highlighting inequalities in society
P limitation: time
whilst quick to access, the large amounts of statistical data can take time to interpret
P limitation: access
some statistics might be unavailable for periods of time (e.g. Census out of date) or not match definitions of researchers
P limitation: operationalising variables
statistical materials have a finite criteria for what defines ethnicity, social class, gender etc, which may be less fluid than contemporary society
E limitation: manipulation
stats can be manipulated by governments to prove political points, meaning people may not get the help they need (e.g. healthcare, education, benefits)
T limitation: validity
interpretivists would state statistics are a social construction, decisions made by those in power
T limitation: validity
dark figures of crime, education and health which are not reported or recorded through any official channels
T limitation: theoretical perspectives
functionalists support stats whereas feminists and Marxists would be critical as they can be manipulated to suit the states’ needs
Census
data compiled every 10 years, providing official statistics on socioeconomic factors in a household
crime statistics
crimes reported and recorded by police in previous year
league tables
educational league tables and exam results reported on an annual basis
