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Official Statistics
What are official statistics?
Form of quantitative data that has been compiled from other research methods such as questionnaires (e.g. census), opinion polls and civil service and other departmental data
Demonstrate trends in crime, households, education, social care, health, demographics
Advantages of statistics:
It is readily available and covers a range of different topics
Provide trends over time, between different social groups, genders, beliefs, sexuality etc
High in reliability as repeated often
This is the starting point for much sociological research, highlighting inequalities in society
Practical issues with official statistics:
Time- Whilst seen as quick to access, the level of statistical data can take time to interpret
Access- Some statistics might be unavailable for periods of time or not match the definitions of researchers
Operationalising variables- Statistical measurements have finite criteria for what defines ethnicity, social class, gender etc, which may be less fluid than in contemporary society
Ethical issues with official statistics:
Ethically official statistics are quite sound- no deception, consent or harm issues
It can be manipulated by governments to prove political points- which means some people may not get the help they need. E.g healthcare, education, benefits
Poverty indicators change- 60% of median income. If society becomes less affluent, fewer people will be in poverty as this figure falls
Theoretical issues with official statistics:
Validity- Interpretivists would state statistics are a social construction- decisions made by those in power
Validity- dark figures- crime, education, health
Theoretical perspectives- functionalists would support statistics, but Marxists and feminists would be critical of official statistics because they can be manipulated to suit states’ needs
Examples of official statistics:
Census data- compiled every ten years from questionnaires provides official statistics on ethnicity, household structure, employment status etc
Crime statistics- crimes reported to and recorded by police in the previous year
Educational league tables and exam results- reported on an annual basis
Official Statistics
What are official statistics?
Form of quantitative data that has been compiled from other research methods such as questionnaires (e.g. census), opinion polls and civil service and other departmental data
Demonstrate trends in crime, households, education, social care, health, demographics
Advantages of statistics:
It is readily available and covers a range of different topics
Provide trends over time, between different social groups, genders, beliefs, sexuality etc
High in reliability as repeated often
This is the starting point for much sociological research, highlighting inequalities in society
Practical issues with official statistics:
Time- Whilst seen as quick to access, the level of statistical data can take time to interpret
Access- Some statistics might be unavailable for periods of time or not match the definitions of researchers
Operationalising variables- Statistical measurements have finite criteria for what defines ethnicity, social class, gender etc, which may be less fluid than in contemporary society
Ethical issues with official statistics:
Ethically official statistics are quite sound- no deception, consent or harm issues
It can be manipulated by governments to prove political points- which means some people may not get the help they need. E.g healthcare, education, benefits
Poverty indicators change- 60% of median income. If society becomes less affluent, fewer people will be in poverty as this figure falls
Theoretical issues with official statistics:
Validity- Interpretivists would state statistics are a social construction- decisions made by those in power
Validity- dark figures- crime, education, health
Theoretical perspectives- functionalists would support statistics, but Marxists and feminists would be critical of official statistics because they can be manipulated to suit states’ needs
Examples of official statistics:
Census data- compiled every ten years from questionnaires provides official statistics on ethnicity, household structure, employment status etc
Crime statistics- crimes reported to and recorded by police in the previous year
Educational league tables and exam results- reported on an annual basis
