Structure of exam

Question 1

8 Marker “define the concept of…”

Answer 1

one large paragraph (10 minutes)

• Definition
• Two examples
• Study
• Theoretical perspective

Question 2

16 Marker “Outline and explain two ways that…”

Answer 2

Two large paragraphs (15 minutes)

1) - The first way/ define
- Explain
- Two examples
- Studies
- Theoretical perspective

2) - The second way/ define
- Explain
- Two examples
- Studies
- Theoretical perspective

Question 3

24 marker “Explain and briefly evaluate…”

Answer 3

6 paragraphs (20 minutes)

1) Introduction - defining key concepts from the title
- general study on topic
2) Outline
- Explain
- Two examples
- Studies
- Theoretical perspective

3) Outline another way
- Explain
- Two examples
- Studies
- Theoretical perspective

4) Evaluate, contradicting points (e.g. other agents of socialisation/ theoretical perspectives not in title)
- Explain
- Two examples
- Studies
- Theoretical perspective

5) Another paragraph if have time
6) Conclusion - giving general statement

Question 4

52 marker “Using the pre-release material and your wider sociological knowledge, explain and evaluate the use of……… to research ………”

Answer 4

Paragraph structure:

• Introduction - define terms in question, say strengths and weaknesses will be evaluated in essay
• Aims/ Methodology
• Practical issues (time, cost, access) and sampling method used
• Validity
• Reliability
• Generalisability
• Representativeness
• Theoretical perspectives (Interpretivists eg Weber/ Positivists eg Gartell and Gartell)
• Ethnical issues
• Other related studies/ What is missing? (key terms relevant but not yet defined, other studies e.g. Dermott, Thompson, EOC, Hatter et al
• Conclusion (giving opinion)

In paragraphs:

• First sentence = referencing question according to paragraph e.g. ‘how validity effects the research of…’
• Explain
• Last sentence = how it relates to pre-release/ what they have done in study