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Positivism, interpretivism and social facts: AQA A‑Level Sociology questions

Every AQA A-Level Sociology exam question on Positivism, interpretivism and social facts, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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356 questions

  1. Q06

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    10 marksPositivism, interpretivism and social facts
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 06: Outline and explain two reasons why interpretivists prefer to use qualitative methods. [10 marks]

  2. Q02

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    16 marksPositivism, interpretivism and social facts
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 02: Evaluate the advantages of using positivist methods in sociological research. [16 marks]

  3. Q05

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    10 marksPositivism, interpretivism and social facts
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 05: Outline and explain two reasons why interpretivists prefer to use qualitative methods of research. [10 marks]

  4. Q06

    June 2022 · Paper 1

    10 marksPositivism, interpretivism and social factsSources of data
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1, question 06: Outline and explain two reasons why official statistics should not be seen as social facts. [10 marks]

  5. Q06

    November 2021 · Paper 1

    10 marksSociology and sciencePositivism, interpretivism and social facts
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1, question 06: Outline and explain two arguments against the positivist view that sociology can be scientific. [10 marks]
All 5 questions on Positivism, interpretivism and social facts, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q06 (10 marks): Outline and explain two reasons why interpretivists prefer to use qualitative methods. [10 marks]
  2. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q02 (16 marks): Evaluate the advantages of using positivist methods in sociological research. [16 marks]
  3. June 2023, Paper 3, Q05 (10 marks): Outline and explain two reasons why interpretivists prefer to use qualitative methods of research. [10 marks]
  4. June 2022, Paper 1, Q06 (10 marks): Outline and explain two reasons why official statistics should not be seen as social facts. [10 marks]
  5. November 2021, Paper 1, Q06 (10 marks): Outline and explain two arguments against the positivist view that sociology can be scientific. [10 marks]

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