Methods in Context: Pupils

Why might pupils be less reliable in interviews than adults?

Pupils may give socially desirable answers or lack the language skills to articulate their thoughts clearly – as shown in the limited responses in labelling research by Cicourel and Kitsuse.

What is one ethical concern when researching pupils in schools?

Pupils are a vulnerable group, so informed consent and parental permission are essential – highlighted in ethical debates around Rosenthal and Jacobson’s covert IQ test experiment.

How might a pupil’s age affect research validity?

Younger pupils may struggle with complex questions – a problem avoided by Paul Willis, who studied older working-class boys through participant observation.

Why might pupils not take questionnaires seriously?

As found by Hargreaves, younger pupils often rush or joke when completing forms, reducing the validity of responses.

Why can group interviews be problematic when researching pupils?

Peer pressure may lead to conformity or dishonesty – relevant in Lacey’s study of streaming and anti-school subcultures.

What is a strength of group interviews with pupils?

They may encourage natural discussion – as used by Mac an Ghaill in his research on male subcultures and identity in schools.

How can the presence of a researcher affect pupils' behaviour?

The Hawthorne Effect may occur – as seen in classroom studies like those by Rosenthal and Jacobson.

How can researcher characteristics affect rapport with pupils?

Age and authority can affect openness – a younger researcher may gain more honest responses, as suggested by Wright in her research on ethnicity and teacher expectations.

What type of observation is most useful for understanding pupil subcultures?

Participant observation – used by Willis and Ball to observe informal pupil interactions and subcultures in school settings.

What practical issue might arise when observing pupils in classrooms?

Pupils may change behaviour – as noted by Ball in his study of Beachside Comprehensive.

Why might covert observation be more valid when studying pupils?

Pupils act naturally – used by Willis to see the lads’ genuine attitudes toward school without researcher interference.

What ethical issue arises with covert observation of pupils?

Lack of consent – seen in Willis's study, where pupils were not fully informed about the researcher’s aims.

How can peer dynamics influence research on pupils?

Mac an Ghaill noted that peer groups influence how boys present their masculinity and respond to researchers.

Why is language a barrier in some research methods with pupils?

Cicourel and Kitsuse found that pupils’ interpretations of questions could vary, affecting reliability.

What is one advantage of using unstructured interviews with pupils?

They allow rapport – seen in Fuller’s study, where Black girls were able to express resistance to labels more freely in interviews.

What is a disadvantage of unstructured interviews with pupils?

They are time-consuming and hard to compare – a challenge even Willis faced when organising his ethnographic data.

Why might diaries be a useful method for researching pupil experiences?

They can provide insight over time – though not widely used, they could complement studies like Mirza’s work on Black girls’ self-perceptions.

What is a drawback of using diaries with pupils?

They may be inconsistent – especially among younger students, who may not reflect reliably.

How can the school setting itself influence pupil responses?

Responses may be shaped by fear of teachers finding out – relevant to labelling studies by Becker and Keddie.

Why might headteachers restrict pupil access for research?

They may fear findings like those in Hargreaves’ study, which highlighted staff biases and labelling of deviance.