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Read Item C below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 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 p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item C below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using written questionnaires to investigate the role of parents in their children’s achievement in school.
Answer
Written questionnaires serve as a valuable method for investigating the role of parents in children's educational achievements, presenting both strengths and limitations.
Strengths
- Accessibility and Convenience: Written questionnaires can be distributed to many respondents easily, allowing for a wide reach and greater participation from parents who may not have time for in-person interviews.
- Anonymity: Respondents may feel more comfortable providing honest feedback in a written format, as they can remain anonymous. This can yield more candid insights into parental attitudes and practices.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to alternative methods like interviews, written questionnaires are generally less costly to administer, saving both time and resources.
- Standardization: The uniformity of questions ensures consistency in responses, making data analysis easier and more reliable.
Limitations
- Limited Depth of Responses: Written questionnaires may not allow respondents to elaborate on their thoughts, leading to surface-level insights that do not capture the complexity of parental involvement.
- Response Rate Issues: As mentioned, some questionnaires may not be returned. Low response rates can bias the results and affect the validity of the findings.
- Lack of Clarity: Depending on how questions are phrased, respondents may misinterpret questions, leading to inaccurate responses that do not truly reflect their views.
- External Influences: Factors such as peer pressures, societal expectations, and cultural differences can influence how parents respond to questionnaires, which may not be captured by the survey itself.
In conclusion, while written questionnaires can effectively gather data on the role of parents in education, researchers should be aware of the associated limitations and strive to mitigate them for more nuanced findings.