researching pupils

M_____ H_____ (2005) suggests that there are three major differences between studying young people and studying adults- what are they?

These differences raise particular p_____, e____ and t_____ issues that researchers need to take into account when researching pupils.

Malcolm Hill (2005) suggests that there are three major differences between studying young people and studying adults:

• power and status

• ability and understanding

• vulnerability (ethical issues)

These differences raise particular practical, ethical and theoretical issues that researchers need to take into account when researching pupils.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Children and young people generally have l____ p____ and s____ than a____.

• This makes it more difficult for them to do what especially if they c_____ those of adults.

• This is especially evident in schools, as they operate within what type of structure. that gives teachers h____ s____ and power over pupils.

• Teachers may sometimes even be able to use this power to do what

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Children and young people generally have less power and status than adults.

• This makes it more difficult for them to state their attitudes and views openly, especially if they challenge those of adults.

• This is especially evident in schools, as they operate within a hierarchical structure. that gives teachers higher status and power over pupils.

• Teachers may sometimes even be able to use this power to influence which pupils are selected for research in order to promote a good image of themselves or the school

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• how do Formal research methods such as structured interviews or questionnaires tend to reinforce power differences.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Formal research methods such as structured interviews or questionnaires tend to reinforce power differences. This

• is because it is the researcher and not the young person who determines what questions are asked and how answers should be formulated.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Sociologists therefore need to consider ways in which they can overcome the power and status differences between adult researchers and young participants.

• For example, g___ interviews rather than f____ o____-to-o____ interviews may be a good way of doing this.

• However, it is likely that whatever research methods are used, some power and status differences between researchers and pupils will remain.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Sociologists therefore need to consider ways in which they can overcome the power and status differences between adult researchers and young participants.

• For example, group interviews rather than formal one-to-one interviews may be a good way of doing this.

• However, it is likely that whatever research methods are used, some power and status differences between researchers and pupils will remain.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Pupils' attitudes towards the power and status differences between themselves and their teachers are also likely to affect how they r____ to the r_____.

• For example, pupils who r____ the p_____ of t______ over them may be less likely to do what

• On the other hand, such pupils may feel e____ by participating in the research and express their t____ f_____ about school.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- power and status

• Pupils' attitudes towards the power and status differences between themselves and their teachers are also likely to affect how they relate to the researcher.

• For example, pupils who resent the power of teachers over them may be less likely to cooperate with research.

• On the other hand, such pupils may feel empowered by participating in the research and express their true feelings about school.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• Pupils' v_______, powers of s____-e_____, t_____ s____ and c_____ are likely to be more l___ than those of adults - particularly when trying to express what

• Given that a_____ c_____ are a central part of s_____ investigation, this poses problems for researchers.

• For example, the sociologist will need to take particular care in how they do what so as to make sure they are understood clearly by their young respondents.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• Pupils' vocabulary, powers of self-expression, thinking skills and confidence are likely to be more limited than those of adults - particularly when trying to express abstract ideas.

• Given that abstract concepts are a central part of sociological investigation, this poses problems for researchers.

• For example, the sociologist will need to take particular care in how they word their questions so as to make sure they are understood clearly by their young respondents.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• Limitations in what also make it more difficult to gain what

• This is because the sociologist may not be able to explain the n___ of the research in words that young pupils can clearly u____.

  Young people use l____ in different ways from adults, which makes the c____ of a____ worded questions particularly d___.

• Younger children in particular are also likely to require more t____ than adults to understand questions.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• Limitations in pupils understanding also make it more difficult to gain their informed consent.

• This is because the sociologist may not be able to explain the nature of the research in words that young pupils can clearly understand.

  Young people use language in different ways from adults, which makes the construction of appropriately worded questions particularly demanding.

• Younger children in particular are also likely to require more time than adults to understand questions.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• A young person's m____ is less d____ than that of an adult, so they may be unable to do what

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• A young person's memory is less developed than that of an adult, so they may be unable to recall in detail relevant material when asked to do so by the researcher.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• However, we should remember that pupils are not a homogeneous group - what does this mean

• c___, a___ g____ and e____ all create differences between pupils that a researcher will have to take into account.

• For example, there are age, class and ethnic variations in the kinds of language that pupils use, such as differences in speech codes.

• It may therefore be important to match the gender and ethnicity of the young person and the researcher.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- ability and understanding

• However, we should remember that pupils are not a homogeneous group - they are not all the same.

• Class, age, gender and ethnicity all create differences between pupils that a researcher will have to take into account.

• For example, there are age, class and ethnic variations in the kinds of language that pupils use, such as differences in speech codes.

• It may therefore be important to match the gender and ethnicity of the young person and the researcher.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• As a result of their more limited p____ and a____, young people are often more vulnerable to what than adults.

• This raises special e____ i____ for the researcher.

• The sociologist should therefore first consider what

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• As a result of their more limited power and ability, young people are often more vulnerable to physical and psychological harm than adults.

• This raises special ethical issues for the researcher.

• The sociologist should therefore first consider whether the participation of young people in the research is actually necessary and whether they stand to benefit from it.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• It is not enough simply to obtain the informed consent of who

• Most research guidelines emphasise that the young person too should be a____ of what the r___ e___.

• However what is the problem with this

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• It is not enough simply to obtain the informed consent of parents or teachers.

• Most research guidelines emphasise that the young person too should be aware of what the research entails.

• However, it may be difficult to explain this to a child, and they may not yet be mature enough to decide whether to participate.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• Given the vulnerability of school-age pupils, c____ p____ i____ are very important.

• For example, what should not be kept unless it is vital to the research.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• Given the vulnerability of school-age pupils, child protection issues are very important.

• For example, personal data should not be kept unless it is vital to the research.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• The researcher should also consider what type of research will be used and any s____ that may result.

• For example, questioning young children for l____ p____ of t___ would be considered i____.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• The researcher should also consider what type of research will be used and any stress that may result.

• For example, questioning young children for long periods of time would be considered inappropriate.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• as young people are considered more v____, gaining access to pupils is often c____ by a greater number of gatekeepers—what is a gatekeeper?

• These can include what type of people

• the more gatekeepers involved, the more c____ it becomes to carry out i___-d___ research.

differences between studying young people and studying adults- vulnerability (ethical issues)

• as young people are considered more vulnerable, gaining access to pupils is often controlled by a greater number of gatekeepers—people or institutions who have the power to allow or deny access to participants in research

• These can include parents, headteachers, teachers, local authorities, and school governors.

• the more gatekeepers involved, the more challenging it becomes to carry out in-depth research.

laws and guidelines -DBS checks

• child protection laws such as what law operate a vetting and barring scheme, which is designed to protect children by doing what?

• explaining what it means by vetting and barring

• As a result, researchers are required to undergo what checks before being allowed to access p____

• what are the problems with this process

laws and guidelines -DBS checks

• child protection laws such as the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 operate a vetting and barring scheme, which is designed to protect children by checking the backgrounds of adults who want to work with them.

• Under this scheme, individuals are vetted through background checks, including criminal record checks, and may be barred—legally prevented—from working with children if found unsuitable.

• As a result, researchers are required to undergo Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before being allowed to access pupils

• . This process can be time-consuming, potentially causing delays or even preventing researchers from carrying out their research altogether, especially if clearance is denied

laws and guidelines -research guidelines

• Due to ethical concerns, organisations like what 3 organisations have created special c___ of p____ for researching young people, adding to the B___ S____ A____ guidelines.

• for example B____ highlights the importance of i____ c____, avoiding c____ or p____ from adults, and taking special care when working with v___ or at-r___ children.

• Researchers should also refer to what if needed, provide d____, and clearly explain the limits of c_____, especially in what type of cases?

laws and guidelines -research guidelines

• Due to ethical concerns, organisations like Unicef, Barnardo’s, and the National Children’s Bureau have created special codes of practice for researching young people, adding to the British Sociological Association’s guidelines.

• for example Barnardo’s highlights the importance of informed consent, avoiding coercion or pressure from adults, and taking special care when working with vulnerable or at-risk children.

• Researchers should also refer to support services if needed, provide debriefing, and clearly explain the limits of confidentiality, especially in cases where abuse is disclosed.

what are the adavantges and disadvantages of researching pupils

adavantges and disadvantages of researching pupils

✓- One advantage of studying pupils is that, because they are legally required to attend school, sociologists will know where to find their target research group - unlike with some other social groups they might study.

✘- On the other hand, this is not necessarily the case if the target group is pupils with anti-school attitudes, many of whom may truant regularly from school. Also, pupils are normally in school only during the school day and in term time.