BEDTIME READING: THE FULL VINCENT STUDY

5/1/2016

For anyone sitting the G671 retake in May, here is the full 2007 Carol Vincent study on social class and childcare, a version of which provides the exam's pre-release material. Reading the full thing isn't essential for exam success, but is still useful in gaining a fuller understanding of the objectives and findings of the study and more detail on the methods used...

http://core.ac.uk/download/files/52/82712.pdf_

...Reading through the pre-release material, it seems clear that Social Class will be the theme of the exam. The study uses semi-structured interviews, but there is very little detail on these. It seems much more likely the 52 mark question will focus on the sampling techniques used.

5 Comments

Emma Simons

10/1/2016 14:44:26

A few questions really:

1. Have you been able to write an example answer focusing on the sampling methods? - this is mainly because at my Sixth Form we have been advised to focus on semi-structured interviews as they appear to be the most talked about method in the pre-release material.
2. Are there any specific questions in regards to the theme of Social Class you could/would predict for the exam?

JOEL

11/1/2016 15:54:50

I haven't written an example answer yet, but it will be done when I get the time. I think sampling is the most likely question; the second two paragraphs are all about how the sample was collected and categorised, so it would seem strange to include that detail and then ignore it. Semi-structured interviews, or a more general question on qualitative data are also certainly possible.
In terms of the other questions, it's difficult to predict, going by this source material. A 24 mark question on the role of the family in creating/reinforcing social class identities is very likely...

Emma

24/2/2016 20:45:21

In regards to sampling methods do you have any resources about either method used in the sample which would be useful in writing a mock answer? I ask this because both the Collins A Level Sociology - Sociology AS for OCR guide and OCR Student Support Materials revision guide have very little information about sampling methods and this is one of the reasons I was of the impression that sampling methods wouldn't be the question due to the lack of information provided.

Also, have you had the chance to write an example answer at a higher level to your previous attempt as this would be very useful?

JOEL

25/2/2016 08:43:59

Emma, the specification states that students should know the implications of different sampling sizes and different types of sampling - but do not need to know the types of sampling in depth. So a question on sampling may be unlikely but is not impossible, but if it were to come up, the expectation would be on the theoretical issues of the sample size and type, rather than expecting students to have an in depth discussion/evaluation on the various types.
I'll try and put one more sample answer or plan up soon, using a more general question relating to the study. I only have one student sitting this paper this year, which is why I haven't done a great deal about it on the website.

www.snorebore.com link

13/6/2016 08:17:59

but is still useful in gaining a fuller understanding of the objectives and findings of the study and more detail on the methods used...

Socialisation & Identity