EVALUATION

1
EVALUATION?

• Adapted from W Kidd et al 2003

2
What does evaluation mean?

• Making criticisms
• Pointing out possible problems with evidence
• Showing comparisons between ideas
• Showing contrasts between ideas
• Saying what is good about an idea
• Saying what is bad about an idea
• Backing opinions up with evidence

3
Why is evaluation important?

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

4
How do you evaluate?

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

5

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

6

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

7
The End

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