Outline and explain two theoretical problems of using official statistics (10)

Question 1

Outline and explain two theoretical problems of using official statistics (10) Problem

Answer 1

They may lack validity

Question 2

Outline and explain two theoretical problems of using official statistics (10) Analysis/ Development

Answer 2

•Interpretivists argue they are distorted by the processes of data collection, they are socially constructed and do not reflect underlying reality
• Many crimes are not reported to the police, or even the CSEW because of a sense of pointlessness or fear or shame
• Income may not be reported to avoid taxation; stats on religious belief have been criticised as not telling us HOW religious someone is; immigration stats do not show us illegal immigrants.

Question 3

Outline and explain two theoretical problems of using official statistics (10) 2nd problem

Answer 3

They may lack reliability

Question 4

Outline and explain two theoretical problems of using official statistics (10)

Answer 4

•The way in which some variables are measured changes over time, e.g. unemployment, and police recorded crime.
• These chances may happen because governments change and they introduce unpopular policies—so they may stop recording data on things expected to make them look bad.
• For example the Tories tried to stop collecting data on child poverty and well-being when they introduced cuts to social welfare.
• This means making historical comparisons and finding trends/ laws difficult.