EVALUATION and ANALYSIS Whats the difference Adapted from

EVALUATION and ANALYSIS What’s the difference? Adapted from W Kidd et al 2003

What does evaluation mean? l Making criticisms l Pointing out possible problems with evidence l Showing comparisons between ideas l Showing contrasts between ideas l Saying what is good about an idea l Saying what is bad about an idea l Backing opinions up with evidence

Why is evaluation important? l Evaluation helps you pull all the ideas and theories together l Some examination questions focus upon evaluation l Evaluating at AS/A Level will help you at university level l Developing evaluative skills will improve your grades

How do you evaluate? l Use theories to criticise other theories l Think through the eyes of a theorist. For example, how would Marxists or postmodernists see a certain event? l Make methodological criticisms about how a study’s research was conducted l Use real life examples as evidence with which to assess what sociologists are saying

l Use historical examples as evidence to support or criticise a theory l Some studies are conducted in order to test other studies. Show they support/contradict the original points. l Use synoptic tools to think about a study or theory. l Note when a concept, study or theory was created. Is it still useful?

l Point out the good things about an idea as well as the bad. l Point out political biases and valuejudgements in some theories. (Left wing/right wing? Does this distort their judgement? ) l Assess the contribution made to sociology by a theory; say what we would miss or lack if the idea had not been invented.

Analysis l How does your point relate to the question? l What does your point suggest about society, sociology, theory, statistics etc? l What are the wider implications for society of the point you have made?

Brainstorm words/phrase to use for evaluation.

Brainstorm words to use for analysis

Add evidence, evaluation and analysis to these points l Marxists claim that white collar and corporate crimes are ignored. l Howard Becker theorised that when a person becomes labelled as ‘deviant’ they will develop a master status and self-fulfil the role of a deviant person. l Sub-cultural theorists such as Albert Cohen claim that the norms and values of the working class are deviant and that this causes crime. l Durkheim stated some aspects of crime can be functional to society and for upholding the collective sentiments (value consensus).

The End Keep practising your sociology skills if you want to improve your grades.