Official Statistics (AQA A-Level Sociology): Flashcards

Numerical data collected by government departments & agencies

Extensive, current, readily available, free to access

Approximately 50,000 households annually

Demonstrate trends over time, track social changes

Researchers compare their data against national figures

Accurate, objective social facts reflecting real phenomena

Socially constructed, not objective facts

May be manipulated to present favourable govt impressions

Gender exam gaps framed as 'boys problem' not female success

Official crime rate published by police

Gap between actual crime levels and official recorded figures

Surveys crime victims directly, regardless of police recording

Police not recording all crimes reported to them

Numerical data from non-govt orgs (charities, pressure groups)

Link between poor childhood literacy and adult poverty