A Level Sociology Theory and Methods Revision Bundle

Theory and Methods A Level Sociology - Revision Bundle

This revision bundle is designed to help you revise for AQA A Level Sociology Papers 1 and 3: Education with Theory and Methods, and Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods.

1.   Theory and Methods Revision Notes

74 pages in total covering the following topics:

Sociological Theories:

• Sociological Theories
• Sociological theories – an overview
• Positivism and Interpretivism
• Is sociology a science?
• Functionalism
• Marxism
• Feminism
• Social Action theory
• Modernity, Postmodernity and Late Modernity
• Sociology and social policy
• Can sociology be value free?

‘Pure’ Research Methods:

• Introduction to Research Methods – Basic types of method and key term
• The Factors Affecting Choice of Research Method – Theoretical, Ethical and Practical Factors
• Secondary Quantitative Data - Official Statistics
• Secondary Qualitative Data – Public and Private Documents
• Experiments – Field and Laboratory
• Interviews – Structured, Unstructured and Semi-Structured
• Observational Methods – Cover and Overt Participant and Non-Participant Observation
• All sections also contain a section of research methods applied to education, or 'methods in context'

2.   Theory and Methods Mind Maps

15 mind maps covering the following topics:

·         Positivism and Interpretivism
·         Is Sociology a Science?
·         Functionalism
·         Marxism
·         Feminism
·         Social Action Theory
·         Modernity and Postmodernity an Introduction
·         Postmodernity and Postmodern Theory
·         Sociology and Social Policy
·         Sociology and Value Freedom
·         Field Experiments
·         Social surveys
·         Unstructured interviews
·         Participant observation
- Factors influencing choice of research method (update May 2017!)

3.   Theory and Methods Essay Plans

Five essays in total:

•              Assess the Contribution of Functionalism to our Understanding of society (20)
•              Assess the Contribution of Marxism to our Understanding of society (20)
•              Assess the Usefulness of Positivist Approaches to Social Research (20)
•              Assess the view that theoretical factors are the most significant factor
•              Influencing a sociologist’s choice of research methods (20)
•              Evaluate the Strengths and Limitations of Using Social Surveys in Social Research (20)

4: How to write methods in context essays

Includes 3 examples of methods in context questions, a pared down mark scheme and advice on how to write and plan these essays.

5: 10 mark 'outline and explain research methods questions

A total of 6 questions.

6: Research Methods Key Terms 

A glossary of key terms covering pretty much all of the content of research methods!

7. One revision PPT

On social surveys, covering practical, ethical and theoretical factors.