Standard Grade Modern Studies Enquiry Skills - Investigating Questions -

Standard Grade Modern Standard Grade Modern StudiesStudies

Enquiry SkillsEnquiry Skills

- Investigating Questions - Investigating Questions - -

Enquiry Skills - InvestigatingEnquiry Skills - Investigating

When you are investigating a topic youWhen you are investigating a topic youmust be able to:must be able to:

a)a) Decide what you want to find out by Decide what you want to find out by devising a devising a hypothesishypothesis and and aimsaims..

a)a) Decide how you find out that Decide how you find out that information. This is called information. This is called enquiry enquiry methodsmethods or or methods of enquirymethods of enquiry..

Planning An InvestigationPlanning An Investigation

STEP 1 – What Are You InvestigatingSTEP 1 – What Are You Investigating??

You are investigating the issue of housingYou are investigating the issue of housingfor the elderly.for the elderly.

STEP 2 – Turn the Topic Into A QuestionSTEP 2 – Turn the Topic Into A Question

What types of housing are available for the What types of housing are available for the elderly?elderly?

STEP 3 – Turn The Question Into a Statement STEP 3 – Turn The Question Into a Statement

(Hypothesis)(Hypothesis)

The housing needs of the elderly are met in different The housing needs of the elderly are met in different ways (1 mark).ways (1 mark).

Sheltered housing is the most effective way of meeting Sheltered housing is the most effective way of meeting the housing needs of the elderly (2 marks).the housing needs of the elderly (2 marks).

A hypothesis is a statement that can beA hypothesis is a statement that can beproved to be proved to be truetrue or or falsefalse. .

Try to include one of the modern studies Try to include one of the modern studies conceptsconcepts in in your your

hypothesis.hypothesis.

- Need – Power – Equality – Rights – Responsibilities – - Need – Power – Equality – Rights – Responsibilities – - Representation – Ideology - - Representation – Ideology -


Step 4: Break Down Your InvestigationStep 4: Break Down Your InvestigationInto AimsInto Aims (Questions) (Questions)

You cannot repeat your hypothesis. Always start your You cannot repeat your hypothesis. Always start your aims with:aims with:

To find out…………….To find out……………. IfIfWhatWhatWhenWhenWhereWhereWhyWhyHowHow


Step 4: Break Down Your InvestigationStep 4: Break Down Your InvestigationInto AimsInto Aims (Key Areas) (Key Areas)

• To find out why housing is problem for To find out why housing is problem for elderly people.elderly people.

• To find out how sheltered housing meets To find out how sheltered housing meets the needs of elderly people.the needs of elderly people.

• To find out why many elderly people live in To find out why many elderly people live in a nursing/residential home.a nursing/residential home.

• To find out how nursing/residential homes To find out how nursing/residential homes meet the needs of elderly people.meet the needs of elderly people.


Step 5: How Will You Find Out ThisStep 5: How Will You Find Out ThisInformationInformation??

• You must identify You must identify realisticrealistic methods methods of enquiry.of enquiry.

• You must understand You must understand how to usehow to use each method of enquiry.each method of enquiry.

• You must be aware of the You must be aware of the advantagesadvantages and and disadvantagesdisadvantages..

Enquiry MethodsEnquiry Methods

The main enquiry methods are:The main enquiry methods are:

• InternetInternet /Video- Conferencing/Video- Conferencing• InterviewInterview• Writing a letterWriting a letter• Using the libraryUsing the library• Using questionnaires/surveysUsing questionnaires/surveys• Using the media e.g. TV, Using the media e.g. TV,

newspapersnewspapers• A Visit/Structured ObservationA Visit/Structured Observation

How To Use A LetterHow To Use A Letter

• You must find out the name/address of the You must find out the name/address of the person/organisation you are writing to.person/organisation you are writing to.

• You must include your name and address.You must include your name and address.• To find addresses – phonebook, internet.To find addresses – phonebook, internet.• Ask appropriate questionsAsk appropriate questions• Send your letter – post, fax or e-mail.Send your letter – post, fax or e-mail.• Include a SAE – Stamped Addressed Include a SAE – Stamped Addressed

Envelope – better chance of a replyEnvelope – better chance of a reply

Writing a LetterWriting a LetterADVANTAGES:ADVANTAGES:

• You can ask specific You can ask specific questions.questions.

• Ask an ‘expert’Ask an ‘expert’• Cheap way of Cheap way of

gathering information.gathering information.• Use it to arrange a Use it to arrange a

visit/interview.visit/interview.

DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES::

• Some people/groups Some people/groups don’t respond because don’t respond because they get too many they get too many requests.requests.

• Letter may not reach Letter may not reach the right personthe right person

• Information you get Information you get maybe irrelevant/not maybe irrelevant/not useful.useful.

• May get a reply too May get a reply too latelate

How To Use A LibraryHow To Use A Library

• There are different libraries you can use – There are different libraries you can use – school, local or university.school, local or university.

• Contain many sources of informationContain many sources of information

Books, Journals, Internet,Books, Journals, Internet,

NewspapersNewspapers

• You must observe general library rules.You must observe general library rules.• When gathering information you could When gathering information you could

make notes, copy information, print or make notes, copy information, print or download.download.

Using a LibraryUsing a Library

ADVANTAGES:ADVANTAGES:

• Wide range of Wide range of sources of sources of information.information.

• Relevant, and up to Relevant, and up to date informationdate information

• Can print out/copy Can print out/copy information very information very cheaplycheaply

DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES

• Information can be Information can be irrelevant or out of irrelevant or out of date especially in date especially in books.books.

• May have to use May have to use some of the some of the resources in the resources in the library e.g. library e.g. reference books reference books cannot be cannot be borrowed.borrowed.

How To Use the InternetHow To Use the Internet

Appropriate IT equipment – computer Appropriate IT equipment – computer with internet access.with internet access.Use a search engine e.g. Google and Use a search engine e.g. Google and put in key words.put in key words.Use a specific website – then use the Use a specific website – then use the search engine, links to other pages, search engine, links to other pages, contact link to e-mail the organisation.contact link to e-mail the organisation.Use e-mail to contact people and Use e-mail to contact people and organisations.organisations.

InternetInternet

AdvantagesAdvantages

• Quick to access information.Quick to access information.• Information is updated regularly.Information is updated regularly.• Many useful reference websites e.g. Many useful reference websites e.g.

Wikepdia.Wikepdia.• Variety of information e.g. pictures, Variety of information e.g. pictures,

film, text.film, text.

InternetInternet

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Need the appropriate equipment.Need the appropriate equipment.• Can end up with too much information Can end up with too much information

– time consuming to look through it.– time consuming to look through it.• Be aware of who has produced the Be aware of who has produced the

website – a reliable source or just website – a reliable source or just someone’s opinion?someone’s opinion?

How To Use Video-How To Use Video-ConferencingConferencing

Appropriate IT equipment – computer Appropriate IT equipment – computer with video-conferencing equipment.with video-conferencing equipment.

Agree a set time with the Agree a set time with the person/organisation.person/organisation.

Agree on will participate in the video-Agree on will participate in the video-conference.conference.

Video-ConferencingVideo-Conferencing

AdvantagesAdvantages• You could use this as a way of carrying out You could use this as a way of carrying out

an interview.an interview.• Easy way to contact someone who is far Easy way to contact someone who is far

away from you e.g. MP in Parliament.away from you e.g. MP in Parliament.• You can ask questions ‘face to face’You can ask questions ‘face to face’DisadvantagesDisadvantages• Sometimes there can be difficulties with Sometimes there can be difficulties with

the equipment.the equipment.• If speaking to someone in another country, If speaking to someone in another country,

they may not understand your language.they may not understand your language.• People maybe reluctant to participate and People maybe reluctant to participate and

answer questions.answer questions.

How To Carry Out Media How To Carry Out Media InterrogationInterrogation

Watch, read or listen to the Watch, read or listen to the information more than once and note information more than once and note down key headings.down key headings.

Use the headings to make notes.Use the headings to make notes.

Make sure you have the appropriate Make sure you have the appropriate equipment.equipment.

Make sure the information is up-to-Make sure the information is up-to-date.date.

Media InterrogationMedia Interrogation

AdvantagesAdvantages

• The material is cheap and easy to getThe material is cheap and easy to get• TV provides up-to-date information.TV provides up-to-date information.• News programmes are usually not biased.News programmes are usually not biased.• Wide range of Digital TV channels provides Wide range of Digital TV channels provides

a vast range of information.a vast range of information.• Many programmes, articles have links to Many programmes, articles have links to

useful websites.useful websites.

Media InterrogationMedia Interrogation

DisadvantagesDisadvantages

• Newspapers contain bias.Newspapers contain bias.• DVDs can become out of date quicklyDVDs can become out of date quickly• There may be one view or There may be one view or

interpretation of a story in a interpretation of a story in a programme or article.programme or article.

Attitude SurveysAttitude Surveys

An attitude survey is designed to find out An attitude survey is designed to find out

peoples’ opinions or attitudes towards an peoples’ opinions or attitudes towards an

issue.issue.

Types of QuestionsTypes of Questions::

OO pinionpinion

MM otivationotivation

CC lassificationlassification


Opinion QuestionsOpinion Questions

Do you think the death penalty should Do you think the death penalty should be be

used in Britain for serious crimes?used in Britain for serious crimes?

YesYes NoNo Don’t Don’t KnowKnow


Motivation QuestionsMotivation Questions

Why do you think the death penalty Why do you think the death penalty should be used in Britain? (Tick as many should be used in Britain? (Tick as many as you want)as you want)

Punishment should fit the crimePunishment should fit the crimeOther countries use the death penaltyOther countries use the death penaltyMost people in Britain want the death Most people in Britain want the death

penaltypenaltyIt would deter criminalsIt would deter criminals


Classification QuestionsClassification Questions

Which age group do you belong to?Which age group do you belong to?

Under 16Under 16 51-7051-70

17-3017-30 70+70+

31-5031-50

How To Carry Out An Attitude How To Carry Out An Attitude SurveySurvey

The Questions – clear, specific, The Questions – clear, specific, choice of answers.choice of answers.The Sample – 50+ peopleThe Sample – 50+ peopleRecording Your Answers – one sheet Recording Your Answers – one sheet to record or an individual sheetto record or an individual sheetAnalysing your results – easier to do Analysing your results – easier to do if you provide a choice of answers.if you provide a choice of answers.


AdvantagesAdvantages• You can get opinions and thoughts on You can get opinions and thoughts on

issuesissues• It is good for personal issues like capital It is good for personal issues like capital

punishmentpunishmentDisadvantagesDisadvantages• You need to make sure the question are You need to make sure the question are

worded appropriatelyworded appropriately• It can be more difficult to analyse answers It can be more difficult to analyse answers

compared with questionnaires.compared with questionnaires.• People often do not fill in surveys or send People often do not fill in surveys or send

them back.them back.

How To Visit A Particular PlaceHow To Visit A Particular Place

You must have a contact person – you You must have a contact person – you would phone/write/e-mail them to would phone/write/e-mail them to arrange a visit and check details.arrange a visit and check details.Consider how you will record what you Consider how you will record what you see – notes, photographs or video.see – notes, photographs or video.You must always ask for permission You must always ask for permission especially when taking especially when taking photographs/videoing a place or photographs/videoing a place or people.people.Afterwards – write up your notes and Afterwards – write up your notes and send a thank you letter to the contact send a thank you letter to the contact personperson

How To Visit A Particular PlaceHow To Visit A Particular Place

AdvantagesAdvantages• Provides a wide range of information – Provides a wide range of information –

written and visual.written and visual.• Could combine a visit with an interviewCould combine a visit with an interview

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• May only be allowed access to certain May only be allowed access to certain

areas.areas.• May have a limited amount of time for May have a limited amount of time for

your visit.your visit.• May not be given permission to take May not be given permission to take

pictures etc.pictures etc.

How To Carry Out An InterviewHow To Carry Out An Interview

Think of Think of relevantrelevant questions which the questions which the person will be able to answer.person will be able to answer.

Ask ‘Ask ‘openopen’ questions rather than a ’ questions rather than a ‘‘closedclosed’ question.’ question.

Think about how you will record your Think about how you will record your answers and check you have answers and check you have permission e.g. take notes, video, permission e.g. take notes, video, audio recording. audio recording.

How To Carry Out An InterviewHow To Carry Out An Interview

AdvantagesAdvantages• Could combine a visit with an interview.Could combine a visit with an interview.• Can ask specific questions that you want Can ask specific questions that you want

to find the answers to.to find the answers to.• Opportunity to ask an ‘expert’Opportunity to ask an ‘expert’DisadvantagesDisadvantages• The person may not directly answer your The person may not directly answer your

questions.questions.• The person might give too much or not The person might give too much or not

enough information.enough information.• They may not be happy for the interview They may not be happy for the interview

to be recorded.to be recorded.

Documents

Standard Grade Modern Studies Enquiry Skills - Investigating Questions -