researching teachers

• what may mean that interviews and questionnaires need to be kept short, and what is the problem with this ?

• On the other hand, as p____, teachers are likely to be s___ to educational research.

• Teachers often feel over-worked and may be less than fully cooperative, even when they want to be helpful- This may mean that interviews and questionnaires need to be kept short, and this will restrict the amount of data that can be gathered

• On the other hand, as professionals, teachers are likely to be sympathetic to educational research.

power and status

• Power relationships in the school are not e____

• why do teachers have more power and status?

• They also have l____ r____ and a duty of c___ towards the young people they teach.

power and status

• Power relationships in the school are not equal

• . Teachers have more power and status because of their age, experience and responsibility within the school.

• They also have legal responsibilities and a duty of care towards the young people they teach.

power and status

• how does the nature of the classroom reinforce the power of the teacher.

• a researcher entering the classroom might be seen as an o___/ i____—someone disrupting what?

• This can make it harder for researchers to g___ a___, b___ t___, or observe n___ b____, as both teachers and students may act d____ in the researcher’s presence.

• However, why aren’t teachers are not fully independent, even in 'their classroom

power and status

• The nature of the classroom reinforces the power of the teacher.

• Teachers often see it as 'my classroom', in which the researcher may be viewed as a trespasser.

• a researcher entering the classroom might be seen as an outsider/ intruder—someone disrupting the normal power dynamic.

• This can make it harder for researchers to gain access, build trust, or observe natural behaviour, as both teachers and students may act differently in the researcher’s presence.

• However, teachers are not fully independent, even in 'their classroom - Heads, governors, parents and pupils all constrain what teachers may do.

power and status

• Researchers will need to develop a 'c____’' if they intend to carry out c____ investigations and this may mean representing themselves how

• Although this gives researchers a____, what is the problem ?

power and status

• Researchers will need to develop a 'cover' if they intend to carry out covert investigations and this may mean representing themselves like a supply teacher etc.

• Although this gives researchers access, these groups have a lower status within school and other teachers may not treat them as equals.

impression management

• what are Teachers used to + example

• As a result, they may well be more w___ to be observed by a researcher since it is something they are a____ to e___.

impression management

• Teachers are used to being observed and scrutinised, for example in Ofsted inspections.

• As a result, they may well be more willing to be observed by a researcher since it is something they are accustomed to experiencing.

impression management

• However, because a major part of the teacher's role is to 'do what , teachers are often h_____ s___ at what Erving G____ (1969) calls ' i____ m____' - manipulating what

• The researcher may therefore have to find ways to get behind the p___ f__ that teachers put on.

impression management

• However, because a major part of the teacher's role is to 'put on an act' for pupils and others, teachers are often highly skilled at what Erving Goffman (1969) calls ' impression management' - manipulating the impression that other people have of us.

• The researcher may therefore have to find ways to get behind the public face that teachers put on.

impression management

• Goffman also analyses how, as s___ a___, we behave differently when we are acting out a role f ___ s___ as opposed to when we are b___ s___

• Some researchers study teachers in their b____ setting - usually the s___

• However,what is the problem with getting backstage with teachers

impression management

• Goffman also analyses how, as social actors, we behave differently when we are acting out a role front stage as opposed to when we are back stage

• Some researchers study teachers in their backstage setting - usually the staffroom

• However, getting backstage with teachers poses particular problems. The staffroom is a relatively small social space and, because teaching staff are generally known to each other, a newcomer will stand out and may be treated with some suspicion.

impression management

• Teachers will be aware that any critical comments they make about the school could affect their what

• As a result, they may be r____ to answer certain questions h___.

• However how might the researcher be able to overcome this problem

impression management

• Teachers will be aware that any critical comments they make about the school could affect their career prospects.

• As a result, they may be reluctant to answer certain questions honestly.

• However, the researcher may be able to overcome this problem by using observational methods rather than methods that involve asking direct questions, such as interviews or questionnaires.

impression management

• Head teachers may try to so what and these may not be fully r____ of all teachers in the school.

• For example, a head may hand pick teachers who will convey a f___ image of the school - another example of i_____ m____

impression management

• Head teachers may try to influence which staff are selected to be involved in the research and these may not be fully representative of all teachers in the school.

• For example, a head may hand pick teachers who will convey a favourable image of the school - another example of impression management.

what are the adavantges and disadvantages of researching teachers

adavantges and disadvantages of researching teachers

✓- One key advantage is that their professional role means they can articulate their experiences clearly, and provide insightful information about and are usually easier to access than pupils, who require more ethical considerations and gatekeeper approval.

✘- Teachers may present a false image – Due to their professional role, teachers may be concerned about being judged or evaluated, so they might alter their behaviour or responses to appear more competent or in control than they really are. This can reduce the validity of the data.