Official statistics LT4

Question 1

What are the two types of statistics ?

Answer 1

Official statistics: Quantitative data gathered by the government.
Non-official statistics: published by non government organisations

Question 2

what are Theoretical advantages to Official statistics ?

Answer 2

. predictions of future events E.g Durkheim
. Large data sets, Representative
. allows for comparisons

Question 3

what are Practical & Ethical advantages to Official statistics ?

Answer 3

. Not influenced by researcher, reducing bias
. help shape social policy decision making
. Cheap and quick
. Require no consent as anonymity

Question 4

what are Theoretical disadvantages to Official statistics ?

Answer 4

. Seen as socially constructed, validity questioned
. can be bias at the time they were recorded
. Lack insight into meanings

Question 5

what are Practical disadvantages to Official statistics ?

Answer 5

. May not include the information needed
. Different ways of measuring concepts, harder comparison
. Cannot be verified