Official statistics

Official statistics are quantitative data that is collected by the government and this data is favoured by positivists because it is quick, cheap and easy to access and it covers a wide range of social issues. Regularly updated

Health statistics, crime rates

Advantages

Reliable and standardized- Collected by professionals using strict methods

Cost effective and time saving- Researchers can use existing data instead of conducting new studies

Representative- Official statistics often cover large groups of people- Crime statistics are compiled by police across the entire country

Useful for longitudinal studies- Allows researcher to track trends over time

Disadvantages

Lacks depth- Provides number but not reasons for behaviours

Government bias- Data may be manipulated or selective to serve political agendas

Definitions may be different, what the government poverty may not be the same as a sociologist

Not always up to date- Some may be outdated when they are published