Last Updated on October 16, 2026 by Karl Thompson
One possible format for this question is what I like to think of as the “pure” research methods format (“classic” might be a better word than “pure”), in which you’re asked to outline and explain two theoretical, practical or ethical advantages or problems of using one of the main research methods.
For example, the AQA’s June 2017 Education with Theory and Methods paper asked students to outline and explain two practical problems of using documents in social research. You can see an answer to that question here.
Remember the rule for these questions: there is no item, and there are no marks for evaluation. You get your marks for two clearly separate points, each one properly explained.
36 possible “pure” research methods questions
There are actually 36 possible variations of these “pure” or “classic” research methods questions, as outlined in the flow chart below: six methods, each with advantages or problems, each of which could be practical, theoretical or ethical.
The same 36 questions are set out in the table below. Each one would be worded as: Outline and explain two [practical / theoretical / ethical] [advantages / problems] of using [method] in social research. (10 marks)
Where I’ve already written an answer to one of these questions, the cell links to it. Use the rest as practice questions.
| Method | Practical advantages | Practical problems | Theoretical advantages | Theoretical problems | Ethical advantages | Ethical problems |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experiments | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise |
| Social surveys and questionnaires | answer | practise | practise | answer | practise | practise |
| Interviews | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise |
| Participant observation | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise |
| Official statistics | answer | practise | practise | practise | practise | practise |
| Documents | practise | answer | practise | practise | practise | practise |
The two social surveys answers are now sections of my main questionnaires post.
For the strengths and limitations of each method, see the research methods page.
Other versions of the question
You may be asked to give two advantages or problems of any of the methods above, or of more specific methods (field experiments, for example). Or you may be asked to give two advantages of using overt rather than covert participant observation, or simply two ethical problems you might come across when doing research more generally.
Then of course you may be asked to relate methods to theories, or just asked a “pure” theory or perspectives question.
I’ve written long-form answers to several of these other versions:
- Two problems of using primary qualitative methods in sociological research (AQA 2020)
- Two practical problems which may affect social research
- Two reasons why positivists prefer quantitative methods
- Two reasons why interpretivists prefer qualitative methods
- Two arguments against the view that sociology is a science
While there is no guarantee that this particular format of question will come up on either Paper 1 or Paper 3, it’s still good practice to work through a number of these questions as revision.
Signposting
For how 10-mark questions are marked, and the difference between the no-item and with-item versions, see my guide to A-level sociology 10-mark questions. For the 20-mark Methods in Context question on Paper 1, see How to Answer Methods in Context Questions.
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