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Theory and methods, value freedom and social policy

Past-paper questions pack

Name
Class
Date set
Date due
Score/ 70

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 · 5 parts · mark schemes follow the questions · www.alevelsociologytutor.com · Questions and mark schemes © AQA

1. June 2025 · 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 Consensus theorists argue that social policy has a central role to play in solving social problems, reforming social institutions and improving society. For example, functionalists believe that the state serves the interest of society as a whole in producing social policies that benefit everyone. Furthermore, social policies are seen to help society run smoothly and efficiently. Some sociologists, however, are more critical of the role that social policy has in society. For example, feminists see some social policies as representing the interests of men and so disadvantaging women. Applying material from Item C and your knowledge, evaluate sociological views on the role of social policy in society. [20 marks]
2. 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]
3. November 2021 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2
0 5 Outline and explain two sociological perspectives on the purpose of social policy in society. [10 marks]
4. 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]
5. June 2019 · Paper 3 · Q5 · 10 marks · AO1=5,AO2=3,AO3=2
0 5 Outline and explain two reasons why sociologists’ research may not always be objective. [10 marks]

Mark schemes

1. June 2025 · Paper 3 · Q6
Mark scheme June 2025 Paper 3 Q6
2. June 2024 · Paper 1 · Q6
Mark scheme June 2024 Paper 1 Q6
3. November 2021 · Paper 3 · Q5
Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 3 Q5
4. November 2021 · Paper 3 · Q6
Mark scheme November 2021 Paper 3 Q6
5. June 2019 · Paper 3 · Q5
Mark scheme June 2019 Paper 3 Q5