Research In- School Factors

• What does methods in context require researchers to consider?

  Research method, subjects, and issues
• Who are the potential subjects of research in schools?

  Parents, pupils, or teachers
• What are some in-school issues that researchers might investigate?

  Teacher expectations, subcultures, racism
• How might teachers respond to different research methods?

  They may react differently to observations and interviews
• Which sociologist is mentioned in relation to subcultures?

  Willis
• What methods did Willis use in his research?

  Group interviews and observations
• What are some processes in schools that may require objective approaches?

  Setting, streaming, and institutional racism
• Why might covert methods be necessary in researching discrimination?

  To observe behaviors without alteration
• What challenges do researchers face in studying achievement and identity formation?

  Long-term processes are difficult to measure
• What is a practical issue related to access in school research?

  Access is controlled by head teachers
• Why might schools deny access to researchers?

  Fear of damaging their reputation
• What is a time-related issue in conducting school research?

  Time needed for data collection and analysis
• How can researchers ensure a representative sample?

  By comparing with similar schools
• What is a challenge in operationalizing variables like racism?

  Measuring concepts can be complex
• What ethical issues arise when researching sensitive topics?

  Need for empathy and safeguarding concerns
• Why might teachers be reluctant to admit negative behaviors?

  Fear of repercussions from superiors
• What ethical dilemma might researchers face with anti-school subcultures?

  Potential illegal behaviors of participants
• What is a key issue regarding consent in covert research?

  How teachers might react if discovered
• How can anonymity help researchers in schools?

  It may encourage honest responses
• What theoretical issues complicate measuring interactions in schools?

  Interactions are difficult to quantify
• How might the presence of a researcher influence pupil responses?

  Pupils may withhold information due to fear
• What reliability issue arises from the depth of research needed?

  Difficulty in replicating findings across schools
• How can a researcher's theoretical perspective influence their study?

  It shapes their view of the education system
• What methods are appropriate for researching in schools?

  Observations, unstructured interviews, group interviews
• Why might teachers be accustomed to observations?

  Observations are part of the education system
• What is a potential issue with unstructured interviews?

  Teachers may protect themselves from criticism
• What is a challenge with group interviews in schools?

  Some students may not want to participate
• What are the practical issues in researching in-school factors?

  • Access controlled by head teachers
  • Time required for data collection
  • Need for a representative sample
  • Operationalizing complex variables
• What ethical considerations must researchers keep in mind?

  • Empathy with victims of sensitive issues
  • Safeguarding concerns for students
  • Reporting obligations for disclosed information
  • Consent issues with covert methods
• What theoretical issues affect research reliability and validity?

  • Difficulty in measuring interactions
  • Influence of researcher presence on responses
  • Challenges in replicating findings across schools
  • Impact of theoretical perspectives on research