Mini-Lesson
Sociological theories, methods & research
This mini-lesson covers sociological theories and research methods : the main perspectives (functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism ), data types, key methods, sampling, and reliability, validity and representativeness .
Work through each screen, answer the questions as you go and collect ⭐ stars. Some questions are multiple-choice, some are sort-and-match games, and a few use simple research-methods maths (percentages and sample figures). Press Start when you're ready.
Theories
The main perspectives
Functionalism (consensus): value consensus (Durkheim, Parsons).Marxism (conflict): class conflict (Marx).Feminism (conflict): patriarchy (liberal, Marxist, radical).Interactionism : meanings and labelling.Spec note (please read): OCR withdrew GCSE Sociology (J696); its final exams were in summer 2018 and it was not redeveloped for the current 9–1 GCSEs. This lesson teaches mainstream GCSE Sociology content that matches the old J696 topic. If you are sitting a current exam, check whether your school uses AQA or Eduqas instead.
Quick check
Perspective
? Which perspective sees society held together by a shared value consensus?
Functionalism ✅
Marxism ❌
Radical feminism ❌
Interactionism ❌
Methods · data
Types of data
Primary vs secondary ; quantitative vs qualitative .Positivists prefer quantitative; interpretivists prefer qualitative.
Sort it
Sort the feature
Tap a feature, then whether it fits quantitative or qualitative (or both).
Quick check
Data type
? Existing government statistics are an example of…
Secondary, quantitative data ✅
Primary, qualitative data ❌
Primary, quantitative data ❌
Secondary, qualitative data ❌
Methods · quality
Reliability, validity & representativeness
Reliability = repeatable.Validity = true/in-depth.Representativeness = sample reflects the population.
Calculate
Your turn — response rate
✎ A researcher posts 500 questionnaires and 315 are completed and returned. Calculate the response rate as a percentage. Give a whole number.
%
Check ✓
Hint: response rate = (returned ÷ sent) × 100 = (315 ÷ 500) × 100.
Methods · tools
Key methods
Questionnaires; structured/unstructured interviews; participant observation (covert/overt, Hawthorne effect); experiments.
Calculate
Your turn — percentage
✎ In a survey of 800 people who returned a questionnaire, 240 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Check ✓
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (240 ÷ 800) × 100.
Match it
Match method to strength
Tap a method, then its strength.
Calculate
Your turn — percentage
✎ In a survey of 300 responses coded positive, 201 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Check ✓
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (201 ÷ 300) × 100.
Methods · sampling
Sampling & ethics
Sampling frame; random, systematic, stratified, snowball. Ethics: informed consent, confidentiality, no harm.
Calculate
Your turn — sample size
✎ A sampling frame lists 1200 people. The researcher takes a one-in-six (1/6) sample. How many people are in the sample?
people
Check ✓
Hint: sample = 1200 × 0.16666666666666666.
Quick check
Concept
? A repeatable study that gives the same results has high…
Reliability ✅
Validity ❌
Representativeness ❌
Anomie ❌
Calculate
Your turn — percentage
✎ In a survey of 250 respondents who refused, 45 agreed with a statement. What percentage agreed? Give a whole number.
%
Check ✓
Hint: percentage = (part ÷ whole) × 100 = (45 ÷ 250) × 100.
Quick check
Sampling
? A sample reflecting group proportions in the population uses…
Stratified sampling ✅
Snowball sampling ❌
Covert observation ❌
Random error ❌
Recap
Theories, methods & research — the big ideas
Perspectives: functionalism, Marxism, feminism, interactionism
Data: primary/secondary; quantitative/qualitative
Judging: reliability, validity, representativeness
Sampling & ethics: frame; random/stratified/snowball; informed consent
You've covered theories, methods and research. Press Finish .
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Mini-lesson complete!
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You've worked through Theories, Methods & Research for GCSE Sociology (OCR J696 legacy). 🎉
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