Official Statistics Flashcards
1
Q
4 advantages of Government Statistics?
A
- Representative of the population e.g. Concensus
- National picture (otherwise be hard to access)
- Can predict change in future (birth rates)
- Cheap, easy and quick
- Can be used to gain information on past trends.
2
Q
Positivists views on Government statistics?
A
Positivists present them as social facts.
Very very reliable, see them as only data you need. They are accurate and valid.
3
Q
Interpretivists view on Government Statistics?
A
Interpretivists see them as social constructs, not true representations of reality. Not very high in validity, give no evidence on meanings.
4
Q
3 disadvantages of Government Statistics?
A
- Research may not be completely focused on the topic/areas you would like to focus on.
- Can be manipulated by governments/charities for political reasons.
- Human decisions and prejudices can influence how the official statistics are generated.
5
Q
3 examples of Government Statistics?
A
- Death rate
- Birth rate
- Crime Statistics
- GCSE %A*-Cs
