official statistics

Question 1

In a nutshell

Answer 1

Official statistics are quantitative data collected by government bodies. This method is favoured by positivists because data is quick, cheap and easy to access, and it covers a wide range of social issues.

Question 2

advantages

Answer 2

Practical - cheap, easy to obtain and easy to access. For example, through the Office of National Statistic’s website.

​Collected at regular interviews, so you can compare trends over time. For example, the census is completed every 10 years.

​Representative - official statistics often cover large groups of people. For example, crime statistics are compiled by police across the entire country.

Question 3

disadvantages

Answer 3

The government collects these statistics for its own benefit, so they may not cover what sociologists specifically want to study.

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Definitions may be different. For example, what the government considers ‘poverty may not be the same as a sociologist.