Investigating for S Grade.

Practise Topics for Candidates at F/G/C Levels.

Topic to be Investigated – Why do Some People find it hard

to get a Job?

Creating a Hypothesis to investigate the Topic.

• At Credit candidates will be asked to create a hypothesis to investigate the Topic

• Topic: Why do Some People find it hard to get a Job?

• A hypothesis is a sentence never a question

• It is something you can prove to be true or false

Creating Aims to investigate your

Hypothesis.• At General & Credit you will be asked to create 2 Aims or

Headings to investigate the topic & prove your hypothesis.

• Hypothesis – Older workers find it harder to get a job because their skills are out-of-date.

• An Aim is often a question e.g.

• Why do older workers have out-of-date skills?• What do employers think about older workers & their

skills?

Hypothesis & Aims about Older Workers

Hypothesis.

• Older workers find it harder to get a job because their skills are out-of-date.

Aims.

• Why are older people’s skills out-of-date?

• What do employers; feel about employing older workers?

Hypothesis & Aims about Young Workers

Hypothesis.• Younger workers find it

harder to get a job because they lack the skills & experience.

Aims.• Why do young workers

lack skills & experience?• What can young workers

do to get more experience?

Hypothesis & Aims about Disabled WorkersHypothesis.

• Disabled workers may find it harder to get a job because they have poorer health & are absent from work a lot.

Aims• Why are disabled workers

absent from work a lot?• Why do disabled workers

have poorer health?

Hypothesis & Aims about Mothers with

Young Children.Hypothesis

• Mothers with young children find it harder to get a job because they only want to work during school hours.Aims.

• Why can mothers with dependent children not work shifts?

• Why do mothers want to work locally?

Hypothesis & Aims about Ethnic Workers

Hypothesis.• Ethnic minority workers

might find it hard to get a job due to poor education & lack of skills or qualifications.Aims.

• Why do ethnic workers have poor qualifications?

• Why do ethnic workers often have a poor education?

Methods to investigate Aims.• What method is appropriate (suitable) to investigate one of

your stated aims?• You must state a method which is suitable for that topic e.g. a

visit to Africa would not be possible but interviewing someone who worked for an Aid Agency there or using a UK Government or Aid Agency web site might be good methods to get relevant up-to-date information for your investigation.

• You will be asked to explain why it is appropriate• You will be asked to state 2 advantages & 2 disadvantages of

that method.• N.B. Discuss the advantages of the method being used NOT

the topic being investigated

Methods used to Investigate an Aim

Library

Internet

Database

Interview

CD Rom

A CD Rom is an encyclopaedia on CD which contains text, pictures & sound.

Why is this an appropriate method?• You can access relevant information very quickly• You can download & print out the text you want or make notes from it.

Information on new Scottish MP Constituencies

Advantages & Disadvantages of CD Roms

Advantages.

• It presents information in a varied & attractive format

• It is quite easy to use (usually it has a search option to find info wanted)

• You can store a huge amount on a CD

Disadvantages.

• Information is not up-dated & can become out –of-date very quickly

• You need computer access to use it

• CDs don’t work on every computer

DatabaseWhat is a Database?

• A database is a collection of information about a particular topic.

Why is it an appropriate method to use?• You can access a database using a search engine• You need to give precise search command words to access the relevant part of the

database to get the type of information needed.• You can print out appropriate database information

Database Information about Chief Executive of PKC

PKC Chief Executive Bernadette Malone

Advantages & Disadvantages of Databases

Advantages.• It is arranged so info is

easy to access• You can find ‘matches’ by

searching for common features

• A search can occur very quickly

• Pupils can create their own databases to record their data

• Disadvantages• You need a computer

to access it• You must give

appropriate search word commands to get relevant & meaningful data

InternetWhat is the Internet?

• The internet is a network of computers around the world which can ‘talk’ to each other transfer information from one to another.How can we use the Internet?

• Use a search engine to get access e.g. Yahoo• Give search command words e.g. elderly benefits• You can access official websites to get government statistics, policy or propaganda & data

from charities or pressure groups.• You can access chat sites

Using the Internet

Advantages & Disadvantages of Internet.

Advantages.

• It provides access to vast amounts of information

• It is easy to use

• It is fairly quick to use

• It is cheap if you are quick

• Internet info is a variety of text, photos, graphics sound & video clips

Disadvantages.

• You must know internet address (URL)

• Using a search word may provide a huge number of sources so you need to identify useful ones.

• Some sites & information given is biased

• It can cost a lot

Interviewing PeopleThere are two types of interviews

• Structured interviews are based around a list of pre-prepared questions.• Informal interviews are conversations based around a series of points, which lead to more

detailed discussion of the topicTo arrange an interview you must

• Make an appointment or arrange a time• Prepare relevant & useful questions• Ask permission to record interviews• Take materials with you to write down or record answers

Interviewing PKC Chief Executive Bernadette Malone

Advantages & Disadvantages of Interviews

Advantages.• You may record the

interview & make notes later

• You get relevant up-to-date information

• You can get an expert’s view & knowledge about issues.

• It increases your knowledge of the topic

• Disadvantages.• If interviewing an expert,

preparation & background knowledge is needed.

• You must prepare relevant questions

• You need confidence to talk to someone & interview them

• You must arrange the interview in advance

• You must prepare how to record the information given effectively

Write a letter.To get information by writing a letter you should

• Explain why you want the information• Include relevant questions to get you the information you need• You should get accurate information from an expert• Include your address so they can reply to you

Advantages & Disadvantages of writing a Letter

• Advantages• It gets information

sent to you• You can get relevant

up-to-date information

Disadvantages• You must ask

unbiased questions.• Some organisations

will not reply• The reply received

may not be helpful e.g. is a general answer rather than answer your specific questions

Questionnaires or Opinion SurveysThere are two types of survey;

• One has open questions which allow people to write their own answers

• Some have closed questions where people choose the answer they like best from the selection given

How to carry out a survey• Make up relevant questions but have no biased or leading

questions in your survey• Don’t make it too long or people won’t co-operate & complete it• Issue enough copies (+50) to get a large unbiased sample of wide

ranging views even if some aren’t returned• Decide when & where to carry it out

Advantages & Disadvantage of a SurveyAdvantages.

• Closed questions are easy to analyse & compare answers

• You can carry it out quickly

• It gives you a lot of information quickly

• It tells you about public opinion on an issue

• It may give you evidence to prove what you want to

Disadvantages• Open questions provide a

wider range of answers which are harder to analyse

• Some people will not return questionnaires

• You need to have a big sample for unbiased results

• You must avoid making your sample biased e.g. no women or young people

TV, DVD or Video ProgrammesWhy these are a useful source of information;

• You know the date of the programme

• You can record it & watch when it is convenient

• You can pause & rewind to make notes from it

• The case studies & pictures show conditions more accurately than a newspaper or radio report about the topic

Advantages & Disadvantages of TV, DVD & Video Programmes.

Advantages.• You can when it is

convenient• It may provide up-to-date

information• It presents info in an

interesting format• You can pause to make notes• It gives you access to expert

opinions• You can re-wind & watch it

again

• Disadvantages.• You need a

TV/VCR/DVD player to watch it on

• You need a machine to record it

• You may need to pre-programme to record it during the night

• You need a recorder to record it initially

A Visit.How to arrange a visit

• You must arrange a time, date & location previously so you turn up on time• Find the location previously or study a map so you get there on time.• Wear suitable clothing & footwear for the location & weather you are likely to meet.• Arrive on time with material to record information• Ask suitable questions to find out relevant information• Take pictures using a camera or mobile phone, but ask permission to do this first

Advantages & Disadvantages of a Visit.Advantages.

• You get information firsthand

• You see conditions & can record them in notes or in a picture

• You may record answers to questions & replay the tape or review your notes later

• You can make notes from your recording of the visit later

Disadvantages• You must organise

your visit beforehand• You must be prepared

with questions to ask• You need to take a

notebook & pen or pencil to record important information you find out during the visit

A Library.• A library includes a place where you access

computers, CD Roms, books , Newspapers & journals.

• You may have to pre-book to use the computers or internet facility.

• Some libraries will charge for using the internet while others provide this service free

• You cannot remove reference books• Ensure you know the library hours or you may be

disappointed, particularly if they close early at night

Internet access at a Library

Advantages & Disadvantages of using the Library.Advantages.

• There are many different information sources in one location

• It can provide up-to-date information

• You can chose the format you prefer to access your information

• Some libraries have free internet access

• You can take books home which is more convenient

Disadvantages.• The book you want

may not be available• You cannot remove

reference books• You need to pre-book

the computer & internet use

• They may charge for internet use

Prepare an investigation. You must include:

• Topic: The Aid Britain Sends to Africa

• Hypothesis

• 2 Aims or Headings

• 3 methods with one advantage and one disadvantage