Sociology 9699 Notes //top\\ Jun 2026
: Family diversity, changing family relationships, and theoretical perspectives such as functionalism, Marxism, and feminism. Paper 3: Education
| Method | Strengths | Limitations | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Quick, cheap, large samples, easily quantified. | Low response rate, inflexible, no depth, assumes literacy. | | Structured Interviews | Replicable, less interviewer bias, high reliability. | Lacks validity (artificial), cannot probe unexpected answers. | | Unstructured Interviews | High validity (rapport, depth), flexible, discovers meaning. | Time-consuming, hard to analyze, interviewer bias, low reliability. | | Participant Observation | True-to-life (validity), uncovers hidden behaviors (e.g., gangs). | Very time-consuming, ethical issues (deception), danger, unrepresentative. | | Official Statistics | Large scale, free, allows comparisons over time. | Socially constructed (crime stats reflect police activity, not crime), government bias. | | Experiments (Lab/Field) | High control (lab); natural setting (field). | Lab: artificial, Hawthorne effect; Field: less control, ethical issues. |
: Comparing different theoretical perspectives and exploring their implications. AO4: Evaluation
– Examines family structures, roles, changing patterns of marriage/divorce, and the dark side of the family. A Level (Papers 3 and 4) sociology 9699 notes
Paper 2 demands an intricate understanding of how sociologists gather data, evaluate evidence, and maintain objectivity. Epistemological Approaches: Positivism vs. Interpretivism Positivism Interpretivism Objective reality; operates on natural laws. Subjective reality; constructed through meaning. Goal of Research Discover cause-and-effect relationships. Gain Verstehen (deep empathetic understanding). Data Preference Quantitative (numbers, statistics). Qualitative (words, descriptions, meanings). Key Methods Social surveys, structured questionnaires, official stats. Unstructured interviews, participant observation, diaries. Key Methodological Criteria
The examiner looks for critical evaluation. Always ask: What is the limitation of this theory?
Structuralist theories, such as Functionalism and Marxism, argue that society is a powerful force that shapes individual behavior. Society exists independently of individuals, constraining actions through socialization, laws, and norms. | | Structured Interviews | Replicable, less interviewer
Schools act as an agency of secondary socialization, transmitting shared values. Durkheim highlights social solidarity; Parsons notes how schools act as a bridge between the family (particularistic standards) and wider society (universalistic standards). Davis and Moore argue education functions as a mechanism for meritocratic role allocation.
Characterized by industrialization, urbanization, science/rationality, the rise of the nation-state, and fixed identities tied to social class or occupation.
focuses on foundational sociological knowledge. Paper 1 examines Socialisation, Identity, and Methods of Research (60 marks, 1hr 30min), requiring students to understand how individuals are shaped by society and how sociologists conduct research. Paper 2 examines The Family (60 marks, 1hr 30min), covering topics such as conjugal roles, family diversity, and the social construction of childhood. | Time-consuming, hard to analyze, interviewer bias, low
Sociological research relies on systematic methods to gather valid, reliable data. This paper evaluates the tools used to investigate social phenomena. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Data
: Includes a mix of slides, ebooks, and structured notes.
End of notes. These are a condensed framework – always supplement with your textbook (e.g., Haralambos & Holborn, or Cambridge endorsed titles) and past papers.
Functionalism (Durkheim), Marxism, Weber, Feminism.
