AS
SOCIOLOGY AS
Paper 2 Research Methods and Topics in Sociology
SOCIOLOGY
Tuesday 19 May 2026 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes 7191/2
Materials Paper 2 Research Methods and Topics in Sociology
For t per you must have:
• an 12-page answer book. Mark scheme
Instructions June 2026
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7191/2. Version: 1.0 Final
• Answer all questions in Section A and all questions from one topic in Section B.
• Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 60.
• Questions carrying 10 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose. In these questions
you will be marked on your ability to:
− use good English
− organise information clearly
− use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
IB/G/Jun26/G4006/V3 7191/2
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MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Section A
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
Research Methods
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
Answer all questions in this section.
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
0 1 Outline two problems with using personal documents in sociological research. answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
[4 marks] standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
0 2 Evaluate the importance of practical factors in sociological research design. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
[16 marks] expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
retains the on all its publicati However, registered schools/colleges for are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal
with the foll ortant exception: cannot give permission to schools/colleg hotocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for
internal use within the centre.
and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
, 3
MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Section B
Choose one topic from this section and answer all the questions on that topic. Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
Topic B1 Culture and Identity descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
0 3 Define the term ‘collective identity’.
[2 marks]
Step 1 Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
0 4 Using one example, briefly explain how the distinction between low culture and high descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
culture is becoming less clear. the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
[2 marks] meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the
lower levels of the mark scheme.
0 5 Outline three ways in which paid work may shape identity.
[6 marks] When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
0 6 Outline and explain two ways in which lifestyle and consumption choices may influence approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
experiences of old age. the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be
[10 marks] placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.
Step 2 Determine a mark
0 7 Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
Item A answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
Agencies of socialisation, such as the family and education, play a key role in shaping with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
identity by teaching society’s shared norms and values. Functionalists argue that this use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
integrates individuals into society and promotes social solidarity.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
However, other sociologists suggest that identity is constructed through interaction with assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
others. Individuals create their own identity through their experiences and by
interpreting the world around them. Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the role of agencies of
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
socialisation in shaping identity.
[20 marks]
Turn over for the next topic
3
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
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MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Topic B2 Families and Households
Section A
0 8 Define the term ‘reconstituted family’. Research Methods
[2 marks]
Total
Qu Marking guidance
marks
0 9 Using one example, briefly explain how family life may benefit men more than women.
[2 marks] 01 Outline two problems with using personal documents in sociological research. 4
2 marks for each of two appropriate problems clearly outlined or 1 mark for
1 0 Outline three reasons for the increase in divorce. appropriate problem partially outlined.
[6 marks]
Answers may include:
1 1 Outline and explain two ways in which an ageing population may affect the experience • personal documents may not be authentic (1 mark); as the document may not
of childhood. have been written by the accredited author (+1 mark)
[10 marks] • personal documents may be difficult to interpret and understand (1 mark); due
to age, complexity of language or missing content (+1 mark)
• personal documents may not be representative (1 mark); as not all documents
1 2 Read Item B below and answer the question that follows. survive or may reflect atypical experiences (+1 mark)
• a personal document may lack validity (1 mark); as the author may have not
been sincere (+1 mark)
Item B • personal documents may be difficult to access (1 mark); as they may be of a
sensitive nature and so kept privately (+1 mark).
Government policies can influence family structure in different ways. Some policies,
such as shared parental leave, are seen as reinforcing the traditional nuclear family by Other relevant material should be credited.
encouraging stable two-parent involvement, while others are designed to support a
range of family needs. 0 marks for no relevant points.
However, New Right sociologists argue that some modern policies have weakened the
traditional nuclear family by expanding welfare support and making non-traditional
arrangements easier to maintain.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the main
impact of government policies has been to maintain the traditional nuclear family.
[20 marks]
4
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
SOCIOLOGY AS
Paper 2 Research Methods and Topics in Sociology
SOCIOLOGY
Tuesday 19 May 2026 Morning Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes 7191/2
Materials Paper 2 Research Methods and Topics in Sociology
For t per you must have:
• an 12-page answer book. Mark scheme
Instructions June 2026
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7191/2. Version: 1.0 Final
• Answer all questions in Section A and all questions from one topic in Section B.
• Do all rough work in your answer book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 60.
• Questions carrying 10 marks or more should be answered in continuous prose. In these questions
you will be marked on your ability to:
− use good English
− organise information clearly
− use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
IB/G/Jun26/G4006/V3 7191/2
, 2
MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Section A
Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant
Research Methods
questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the
standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in
Answer all questions in this section.
this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students’
responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.
As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students’ scripts. Alternative
0 1 Outline two problems with using personal documents in sociological research. answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the
[4 marks] standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are
required to refer these to the Lead Examiner.
0 2 Evaluate the importance of practical factors in sociological research design. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and
[16 marks] expanded on the basis of students’ reactions to a particular paper. Assumptions about future mark
schemes on the basis of one year’s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of
assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination
paper.
No student should be disadvantaged on the basis of their gender identity and/or how they refer to the
gender identity of others in their exam responses.
A consistent use of ‘they/them’ as a singular and pronouns beyond ‘she/her’ or ‘he/him’ will be credited in
exam responses in line with existing mark scheme criteria.
Further copies of this mark scheme are available from
information
retains the on all its publicati However, registered schools/colleges for are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal
with the foll ortant exception: cannot give permission to schools/colleg hotocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for
internal use within the centre.
and its licensors. All rights reserved.
2
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
, 3
MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Section B
Choose one topic from this section and answer all the questions on that topic. Level of response marking instructions
Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor. The
Topic B1 Culture and Identity descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level.
Before you apply the mark scheme to a student’s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as
instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme.
0 3 Define the term ‘collective identity’.
[2 marks]
Step 1 Determine a level
Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the
0 4 Using one example, briefly explain how the distinction between low culture and high descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in
culture is becoming less clear. the student’s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it
[2 marks] meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With
practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the
lower levels of the mark scheme.
0 5 Outline three ways in which paid work may shape identity.
[6 marks] When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in
small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest. If
the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit
0 6 Outline and explain two ways in which lifestyle and consumption choices may influence approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within
experiences of old age. the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be
[10 marks] placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content.
Step 2 Determine a mark
0 7 Read Item A below and answer the question that follows.
Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate
marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. There will be an
Item A answer in the standardising materials which will correspond with each level of the mark scheme. This
answer will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student’s answer
Agencies of socialisation, such as the family and education, play a key role in shaping with the example to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then
identity by teaching society’s shared norms and values. Functionalists argue that this use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner’s mark on the example.
integrates individuals into society and promotes social solidarity.
You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and
However, other sociologists suggest that identity is constructed through interaction with assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate.
others. Individuals create their own identity through their experiences and by
interpreting the world around them. Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be
exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points
mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme.
Applying material from Item A and your knowledge, evaluate the role of agencies of
An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks.
socialisation in shaping identity.
[20 marks]
Turn over for the next topic
3
Turn over ►
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
, 4
MARK SCHEME – AS SOCIOLOGY – 7191/2 – JUNE 2026
Topic B2 Families and Households
Section A
0 8 Define the term ‘reconstituted family’. Research Methods
[2 marks]
Total
Qu Marking guidance
marks
0 9 Using one example, briefly explain how family life may benefit men more than women.
[2 marks] 01 Outline two problems with using personal documents in sociological research. 4
2 marks for each of two appropriate problems clearly outlined or 1 mark for
1 0 Outline three reasons for the increase in divorce. appropriate problem partially outlined.
[6 marks]
Answers may include:
1 1 Outline and explain two ways in which an ageing population may affect the experience • personal documents may not be authentic (1 mark); as the document may not
of childhood. have been written by the accredited author (+1 mark)
[10 marks] • personal documents may be difficult to interpret and understand (1 mark); due
to age, complexity of language or missing content (+1 mark)
• personal documents may not be representative (1 mark); as not all documents
1 2 Read Item B below and answer the question that follows. survive or may reflect atypical experiences (+1 mark)
• a personal document may lack validity (1 mark); as the author may have not
been sincere (+1 mark)
Item B • personal documents may be difficult to access (1 mark); as they may be of a
sensitive nature and so kept privately (+1 mark).
Government policies can influence family structure in different ways. Some policies,
such as shared parental leave, are seen as reinforcing the traditional nuclear family by Other relevant material should be credited.
encouraging stable two-parent involvement, while others are designed to support a
range of family needs. 0 marks for no relevant points.
However, New Right sociologists argue that some modern policies have weakened the
traditional nuclear family by expanding welfare support and making non-traditional
arrangements easier to maintain.
Applying material from Item B and your knowledge, evaluate the view that the main
impact of government policies has been to maintain the traditional nuclear family.
[20 marks]
4
IB/G/Jun26/7191/2
