DOING DATA RESPONSE QUESTIONS

 There are always data response questions to be found in exams, and particular skills are necessary to get the highest marks.

WHAT IS A DATA RESPONSE QUESTION?

  •  The question provides items of information and then sub-questions with test a number of sociological skills. The questions generally get harder.
  •  The first question might ask you to interpret the data provided, giving a short answer eg. a word or phrase. It's generally around one mark.
  •  The middle question is worth about 4-8 marks, will ask you to use the items and provide specific answers to things like: identify and explain, suggest three reasons why .. .
  •  Lastly, mini essays will instruct: refer to item A and use your knowledge to... Use material from Item B and elsewhere, discuss... The emphasis is on analysis and evaluation rather than just presenting your sociological knowledge. There are 10-20 marks on AQA papers.

WHAT DOES THE EXAMINER WANT?

  • The command words make it clear.
  • Also how to do it, refer to one or more of the items and in some questions, to use your knowledge.

WHAT KIND OF ITEMS ARE USED?

  •  Text, from sociology textbooks, research in newspapers etc.
  •  Statistics, in tables
  •  Graphic items, charts, graphs etc.

HOW TO ANSWER DATA RESPONSE QUESTIONS

  •  Read the question first. Mark allocation will indicate what to focus on. HIGHLIGHT those words. Drawing on material from THE ITEMS and ELSEWHERE, ACCESS the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of using QUANTITATIVE METHODS of data collection.
  •  Read all the items to get their feel.
  •  Read and highlight key words. Often they will highlight contrasting theoretical perspectives as Marxist or Feminist and you are expected to recognise that.
  •  Answer the short questions. usually interpret and apply info from items rather than a comprehension test. It's not usually worth copying out sections from items except for key words or brief phrases.
  •  Plan and write the longer questions. They're mini-essays, so make a plan. Often there are good marks for a good conclusion, which can be advantages and disadvantages weighed up, so tally them as you're writing the answer.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU WRITE?

 Look at the points and plan. eg. if 80 marks for 90 minute exam, one minute on each mark leaves ten minutes for reading.
QUESTION WITH LESS MARKS USUALLY NEED MORE THINKING AND LESS WRITING TIME.

Practice helps technique and revised using knowledge to solve a problem rather than just trying to remember it in isolation.

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