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Outline and explain two reasons why official statistics should not be seen as social facts. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 6
Outline and explain two reasons why official statistics should not be seen as social facts.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Outline and explain two reasons why official statistics should not be seen as social facts. - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 6 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Reason 1: Official Statistics are Socially Constructed
Answer
Official statistics are not direct reflections of social reality; rather, they are produced through a series of decisions and judgments that involve social constructions. For instance, the classification of what constitutes a crime and the criteria for reporting it can influence the statistics produced. This reflects the idea that officials decide what data to collect and how to interpret it, which can lead to bias or selective reporting.
Step 2
Reason 2: Official Statistics are Ideologically Biased
Answer
There is a possibility that official statistics reflect underlying ideological biases of the agencies that compile them. For example, governments may present data in a way that supports their policies or initiatives, leading to a distorted perception of social issues. This ideological framing can result in the presentation of misleading information, further emphasizing that official statistics should not be taken at face value as social facts.