Last Updated on October 6, 2026 by Karl Thompson
There are three kinds of research methods essay in the AQA sociology exams, and they are not the same question. This post covers all three, starting with the ‘pure’ methods essay, where the 11 point plan below comes from.
| Exam | Question | Marks | Item? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS Paper 2 (7191/2) | ‘Evaluate the strengths/ limitations of…’ a research method | 16 | No |
| A-level Paper 3 (7192/3) | Theory and Methods essay | 20 | Yes (Item C) |
| A-level Paper 1 (7192/1) and AS Paper 1 (7191/1) | Methods in Context essay | 20 | Yes |
So if you’ve been wondering whether you can get a 16 marker on research methods: yes, but only on the AS paper. At A-level, the research methods essays are all 20 markers.
The AS 16 Mark Research Methods Essay
The research methods section of the AS sociology 7191 (2) exam (research methods and topics in sociology) consists of one short answer question (out of 4 marks) and one essay question (out of 16 marks).
You should aim to spend approximately 20–25 minutes answering this essay question.
This longer methods question will nearly always ask you to evaluate either the strengths or limitations of a particular method, for example ‘Evaluate the strengths of using social surveys in social research’. In June 2023, for example, the question was ‘Evaluate the disadvantages of using covert observation in sociological research’.
This means that you will need to evaluate either the strengths or the limitations of the particular method as directed in the question.
What the mark scheme rewards
To reach the top band (13–16 marks), the AQA’s June 2023 mark scheme asks for:
- sound, conceptually detailed knowledge of a range of relevant material
- material applied accurately to the question
- some reasonable evaluation or analysis
The 16 marks split 6 for knowledge and understanding (AO1), 5 for application (AO2) and 5 for analysis and evaluation (AO3).
Answer the method in the question, not the general family it belongs to. On the covert observation question, the mark scheme put answers that drifted into the problems of observation methods in general into the 4–6 band. If the question says covert, every point needs to be about covert observation. That is what point 11 of the plan below is for.
The 11 point plan
You should always use the following structure whether talking about strengths or limitations of the method. Remember that you will need to emphasise the relevant sections depending on whether you are asked to evaluate strengths or limitations.
- Define the method
- Explain why Positivists like or dislike the method
- Explain why Interpretivists like or dislike the method
- Validity – explain why the method has good or bad validity
- Reliability – explain why the method has good or bad reliability
- Representativeness – explain how easy it is to get a large, representative sample
- Practical factors – explain what practical strengths or limitations the method has
- Ethical issues – explain any ethical problems associated with the method, or talk about the ethical strengths as appropriate
- Say what kind of topics this method is useful for researching and why
- Say when you wouldn’t use this method and why
- Compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of different types of the method.
- It is good practice to use actual examples of research studies that have used the method under examination, preferably woven into the body of the essay.
- It is also good practice to distinguish between different ways of doing the method throughout, as you are asked to do in number 11.
- You can remember the above 11 point plan by memorising the handy acronym DPIVRRPETTC.
For the factors behind points 2 to 9, see Factors Affecting Choice of Research Methods.
The A-level 20 Mark Theory and Methods Essay
At A-level, the pure methods essay is the 20 mark Theory and Methods question at the end of Paper 3. It differs from the AS essay in three ways.
It comes with an item. The question starts ‘Applying material from Item C and your knowledge…’, and application marks depend on using the item. Quote or paraphrase the item at least once in each main section.
It usually asks you to evaluate a view, not just strengths or limitations. A typical stem is ‘evaluate the view that…’. The 11 point plan still gives you the content, but it has to be organised as an argument for and against that view, with a conclusion that takes a position.
There are more evaluation marks. On the June 2021 Theory and Methods essay, the 20 marks split 8 for knowledge and understanding (AO1), 6 for application (AO2) and 6 for analysis and evaluation (AO3). Evaluation needs to be explicit and throughout, not saved for the end.
For a full worked example, see Applying material from Item C, evaluate the view that theoretical factors are the most important influence on a sociologist’s choice of research method (20), which was set as the June 2021 Paper 3 essay.
Methods in Context Essays
Methods in Context is a different kind of question: you have to apply a research method to a particular issue in education, using the item. The 11 point plan helps with the content, but every point has to be tied to the education issue in the question. See my Methods in Context Essay Template for how to do this.
Related Posts
- Methods in Context Essay Template
- Assessment Objectives and Key Skills in A Level Sociology – for an explanation of what ‘evaluation’ means
- AQA Assessment Resources – AS paper 2 has an example of a pure research methods question.
Source: AQA (2023) AS Sociology 7191/2 mark scheme, June 2023; AQA (2021) A-level Sociology 7192/3 mark scheme, June 2021. Question wording and mark scheme guidance summarised for educational purposes.
Theory and Methods A Level Sociology Revision Bundle
If you like this sort of thing, then you might like to purchase more of the same…
My Theory and Methods revision notes bundle is specifically designed to get students through the theory and methods sections of A level sociology papers 1 and 3. It contains the following:
- 74 pages of revision notes
- 15 mind maps on various topics within theory and methods
- Five theory and methods essays
- ‘How to write methods in context essays’.
Signposting
This post has been written for students studying research methods as part of the AQA’s AS and A-Level Sociology courses. For links to all of my posts on research methods, see my main page on research methods.
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