: AQA past-paper questions pack

Theoretical, practical and ethical issues in research

Past-paper questions pack

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Questions are numbered; the mark schemes (the answer key) follow on separate pages so the question pages can be handed out alone. www.alevelsociologytutor.com

AQA AQA AS and A-level Sociology past-paper questions since 2016 · 28 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.alevelsociologytutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © AQA

1. June 2025 · Paper 1 · Q5 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Investigating the choices pupils make about post-16 education and training
Pupils in the UK will consider the options available to them in post-16 education or
training. They can choose to stay in full-time education, begin an apprenticeship, or
complete voluntary work alongside part-time education. A range of providers is
available. Pupils may become anxious when deciding but many sources of information
and guidance are available to help them through the process.
One way of investigating the choices pupils make about their post-16 education or
training is to use structured interviews. In these interviews the questions are decided by
the researcher in advance and are often closed. Structured interviews are useful for
generating straightforward factual information. However, they are inflexible as
researchers cannot change questions during the interview. Structured interviews also
do not allow a rapport to develop between the researcher and the participant.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using structured interviews to investigate the choices pupils
make about their post-16 education or training.
[20 marks]
Extra space

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q1 · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO3=2

0 1
Outline two factors that influence a sociologist’s choice of research topic.
[4 marks]

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the disadvantages of using official statistics in sociological research.
[16 marks]

4. June 2025 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 5
Outline and explain two problems that sociologists collecting primary data may face when
conducting their research.
[10 marks]

5. June 2024 · Paper 1 · Q5 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Investigating pupil subcultures in schools
Pupil subcultures in schools may be pro-school or anti-school. Pupil subcultures can be
based on class, gender, ethnicity or other factors. They may be a way that pupils assert
their identity or express their frustration. Sociologists are interested in understanding
reasons for the formation of these subcultures and the functions they fulfil for their
members.
One way of studying pupil subcultures is to use overt participant observation. This type
of observation allows researchers to be honest with the group and also avoid taking part
in any rule-breaking behaviour. However, participants might change their behaviour as
they know they are being observed.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using overt participant observation to investigate pupil
subcultures in schools.
[20 marks]
Extra space

6. June 2024 · Paper 1 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two ways in which research design may be influenced by feminism.
[10 marks]

7. June 2024 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 5
Outline and explain two reasons why some sociologists choose to use official statistics in
their research.
[10 marks]

8. June 2023 · Paper 1 · Q5 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Investigating the pressure on pupils to achieve high grades
Pressure on pupils to achieve high grades can come from a range of sources. Schools
and teachers are keen for their pupils to achieve high grades. Parents and peers can
also be sources of pressure. High grades are often required by employers and
universities.
One way of studying the pressure on pupils to achieve high grades is by using
self-completion questionnaires. This type of questionnaire can be completed
anonymously in private. However, operationalising concepts such as pressure can be
difficult for the researcher. There is also no interviewer present to explain what the
questions mean.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using self-completion questionnaires to investigate the
pressure on pupils to achieve high grades.
[20 marks]
Extra space

9. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 6
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Investigating pupils’ experiences of bullying in schools
Bullying is a sensitive problem for schools. Schools have procedures and policies in
place to deal with bullying. If a school is perceived to have high levels of bullying, it
could prove damaging to their reputation within the community. Bullying can take a
number of different forms. When researching bullying, sociologists often look at pupil
peer groups in school and at power differences between pupil groups.
Sociologists may use unstructured interviews to study bullying. Using unstructured
interviews enables the researcher to build up a level of trust between themselves and
the interviewee and as a result gain richer and more detailed responses. However, such
interviews are often time consuming and can generate large amounts of data to analyse.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using unstructured interviews to investigate pupils’ experiences
of bullying in schools.
[20 marks]

10. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q1 · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO3=2

0 1
Outline two advantages of using primary research methods in sociological investigations.
[4 marks]

11. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the disadvantages of using covert observation in sociological research.
[16 marks]

12. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 6
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Investigating gendered behaviour in schools
Gendered behaviour refers to the different ways that the gender identities of girls and
boys can often lead to different ways of acting. In education, gendered behaviour is
often studied to gain a better understanding of how such behaviour might explain
different outcomes in achievement between girls and boys. Gendered behaviour may
be seen in schools, in particular in classrooms, corridors and the playground.
One way of studying gendered behaviour is through covert participant observation.
Participant observation has the advantage of placing the researcher very close to the
behaviour being studied. This may be the case, in particular, with covert participant
observation. However, there can be ethical issues with using covert participant
observation as well as issues of gaining entry into the group to be studied.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using covert participant observation to investigate gendered
behaviour in schools.
[20 marks]

13. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the disadvantages of using personal documents in sociological research.
[16 marks]

14. November 2021 · Paper 3 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 6
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Before they begin research, sociologists have to make choices about which research
methods to use. Positivists favour methods that are more likely to generate
quantitative data as they want to discover laws of human behaviour. Others prefer
methods that enable a sociologist to gain a deeper understanding of why people
behave in certain ways.
Alternatively, it could be argued that practical and ethical factors are more important
influences on a sociologist’s choice of research method.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the view that theoretical
factors are the most important influence on a sociologist’s choice of research method.
[20 marks]

15. November 2020 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 5
Outline and explain two ethical issues that sociologists using primary quantitative methods
would have to consider when carrying out their research.
[10 marks]

16. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q5 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Investigating the role of parents in pupils’ achievement
Sociological research has shown how much parents can contribute, materially and
culturally, to their children’s achievement in education. For example, parents can
support their children by having regular contact with schools and teachers, and by
helping them with their homework. However, parents’ own education and their attitudes
to school may affect their ability or willingness to help.
One way of studying the role of parents in their children’s achievement is to use written
school setting. However, operationalising concepts in questionnaires can be difficult.
Furthermore, for a variety of reasons, some questionnaires may not be returned.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using written questionnaires to investigate the role of parents in
their children’s achievement in school.
[20 marks]
Extra space

17. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q1 · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO3=2

0 1
Outline two advantages of using overt participant observation in sociological research.
[4 marks]

18. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the importance of ethical issues in the choice of methods for sociological
research.
[16 marks]

19. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the disadvantages of using qualitative methods in sociological research.
[16 marks]

20. June 2018 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 5
Outline and explain two disadvantages of using laboratory experiments in sociological
research.
[10 marks]

21. June 2018 · Paper 3 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=6,AO3=6

0 6
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Structured interviews are a relatively cheap way of studying a sample. Positivist
sociologists favour structured interviews because they produce reliable data that can be
used to test hypotheses.
However, critics argue that structured interviews are inflexible and that their results lack
validity.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate the advantages of using
structured interviews in sociological research.
[20 marks]

22. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q6 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 6
Read Item B below and answer the question that follows.
Item B
Investigating working-class educational underachievement
On average, working-class pupils underachieve in education compared with those
from middle-class backgrounds. Some sociologists believe that material deprivation
is one factor that causes working-class underachievement. Other sociologists argue
that values and attitudes in working-class homes may cause underachievement.
School factors may also affect achievement.
Sociologists may use written questionnaires to study working-class educational
underachievement. Using written questionnaires enables the researcher to reach a
large number of pupils, parents and teachers. Also, those who complete the
questionnaire can usually remain anonymous. However, not all those who receive a
questionnaire will complete it.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using written questionnaires to investigate working-class
educational underachievement.
[20 marks]

23. June 2017 · Paper 1 · Q6 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 6
Outline and explain two practical disadvantages of using documents in sociological
research.
[10 marks]

24. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the importance of theoretical factors when choosing sociological research
methods.
[16 marks]

25. June 2017 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2

0 5
Outline and explain two advantages of choosing overt participant observation as a
source of data compared with covert participant observation.
[10 marks]

26. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q1 · 4 marks · AO1=2,AO3=2

0 1
Outline two ethical issues that may influence a sociologist’s choice of research
method.
[4 marks]

27. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q2 · 16 marks · AO1=6,AO2=5,AO3=5

0 2
Evaluate the advantages of using official statistics in sociological research.
[16 marks]

28. Specimen set 1 · Paper 1 · Q5 · 20 marks · AO1=8,AO2=8,AO3=4

0 5
Read Item C below and answer the question that follows.
Item C
Investigating streaming
Streaming involves teachers differentiating between pupils on the basis of their
perceived ability, placing pupils whom they believe to be of similar overall ability in
the same teaching group. This may result in working-class pupils and those from
certain ethnic minorities being placed in lower streams. Lower-stream pupils may
lose self-esteem, give up trying and even join an anti-school subculture. By
contrast, higher-stream pupils may identify strongly with the school’s values and
goals.
One way of studying streaming is to use unstructured interviews. These are often
effective in exploring interviewees’ personal feelings about sensitive subjects.
However, for a variety of reasons, some pupils and teachers may refuse to
participate in an unstructured interview.
Applying material from Item C and your knowledge of research methods, evaluate the
strengths and limitations of using unstructured interviews to investigate
streaming.
[20 marks]
Extra space

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 1 · Q5

2. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q1

3. June 2025 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

4. June 2025 · Paper 3 · Q5

5. June 2024 · Paper 1 · Q5

6. June 2024 · Paper 1 · Q6

7. June 2024 · Paper 3 · Q5

8. June 2023 · Paper 1 · Q5

9. June 2023 · AS Paper 1 · Q6

10. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q1

11. June 2023 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

12. June 2022 · AS Paper 1 · Q6

13. June 2022 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

14. November 2021 · Paper 3 · Q6

15. November 2020 · Paper 3 · Q5

16. June 2019 · Paper 1 · Q5

17. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q1

18. June 2019 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

19. June 2018 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

20. June 2018 · Paper 3 · Q5

21. June 2018 · Paper 3 · Q6

22. June 2017 · AS Paper 1 · Q6

23. June 2017 · Paper 1 · Q6

24. June 2017 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

25. June 2017 · Paper 3 · Q5

26. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q1

27. June 2016 · AS Paper 2 · Q2

28. Specimen set 1 · Paper 1 · Q5