methods in context

• What is the focus of Paper 1 in the exam?


  Education with theory and methods
• What type of question will you encounter in Paper 1, question 5?


  A question about the advantages and disadvantages of a research method for an educational issue
• How many marks is question 5 worth in Paper 1?


  20 marks
• How much time is allocated to write question 5 in the exam?

  30 minutes
• What structure should your answer for question 5 include?


  An introduction, three paragraphs with strengths and weaknesses, and a conclusion
• What is an anti-school subculture?


  A group with a negative idea of education and behaves accordingly
• Which sociologist studied anti-school subcultures?

  Paul Willis
• What is an unstructured interview?


  An informal interview with no rigid structure using open-ended questions
• What are the strengths of unstructured interviews?


  1. Build rapport with pupils for greater insight
  2. Good for sensitive topics, fostering trust
  3. Valid responses away from peer pressure
• What are the weaknesses of unstructured interviews?


  1. Time-consuming and small sample size
  2. Negative attitudes may lead to dishonesty
  3. Interviewer effect may skew data validity
• What is cultural capital?


  The skills and cultural know-how children learn from their parents
• What is cultural deprivation?


  A theory suggesting working-class lack the skills to be successful in education
• Which sociologist studied the impact of cultural capital?

  Bourdieu
• Which class typically has a positive attitude towards education?

  Middle-class
• Which class typically has negative or fatalistic attitudes towards education?

  Working-class
• What are closed questionnaires?


  Preferred by positivists and produce quantitative data
• What are the weaknesses of closed questionnaires?


  1. Parents may lie about their true attitudes
  2. Closed questions limit explanation of complex attitudes
  3. Sample may be skewed if only positive respondents participate
• What are the strengths of closed questionnaires?


  1. Collect large amounts of data quickly
  2. Easily repeatable for reliability
  3. Parents may be more honest in private
• What are official statistics?


  A source of secondary data produced by government agencies
• What are the two types of statistics?


  Hard data and soft data
• What are the strengths of using official statistics?


  1. Hard statistics are reliable and objective
  2. Easily comparable due to quantitative nature
  3. Variation in ability can be analyzed over time
• What are the weaknesses of using official statistics?


  1. Soft statistics may lack validity
  2. Limited insight into reasons behind achievement
  3. Variation in ability may skew data in selective schools
• What challenges might researchers face when conducting research in schools?

  1. Gaining permission from gatekeepers (headteachers)
  2. Pupils may be reluctant to participate
  3. Teachers may not want to take part
  4. Parents may be hesitant to engage