Methods in Context: In-school factors

“In-school factors" in education research?

In-school factors are those within the school that affect pupil achievement, such as teacher labelling, setting/streaming, pupil subcultures, and school ethos.

Why might teachers be reluctant to participate in classroom observations?

They may feel judged or fear it will affect their professional reputation, causing the Hawthorne Effect or refusal to take part.

One strength of structured interviews when researching teachers?

They are quick, standardised, and allow for comparisons between teachers across schools.

What is one weakness of structured interviews when researching pupils?

Pupils may not understand formal language or give socially desirable answers, especially younger students.

Which research method did Paul Willis use in Learning to Labour?

Unstructured interviews and participant observation with working-class boys.

What did Willis’s use of participant observation help uncover?

The formation of anti-school subcultures and how working-class boys resisted school values.

What are the practical strengths of questionnaires when researching schools?

They are quick to distribute, useful in large-scale studies, and cost-effective.

Why might questionnaires be less effective with younger pupils?

Younger pupils may not understand the questions or take them seriously, reducing validity.

What method did Rosenthal and Jacobson use in their study of teacher expectations?

Field experiment and covert observation.

What ethical issue arose in Rosenthal and Jacobson’s study?

Deception – teachers and pupils were unaware of the experiment, and some pupils may have been disadvantaged.

What is a strength of group interviews in researching peer subcultures?

They can generate rich, natural data and encourage discussion among pupils about shared experiences.

What is a limitation of group interviews in schools?

Pupils may show off, dominate, or conform to peer pressure, affecting honesty and validity.

What did Ball find in his study of Beachside Comprehensive?

Setting and banding led to teacher expectations and pupil behaviour being shaped by perceived ability.

What method did Ball use and what are its advantages in this context?

Participant observation and interviews; allowed insight into classroom dynamics and teacher-pupil interactions.

What ethical concerns arise when researching labelling in schools?

Risk of harming pupil self-esteem or reinforcing stereotypes; confidentiality must be ensured.

How does access impact research in schools?

Gaining permission from gatekeepers (e.g. headteachers) can be difficult, especially for sensitive topics.

Why might longitudinal studies be valuable in researching in-school factors?

They allow researchers to track the long-term effects of labelling, streaming, or school policy changes.

How can researcher characteristics influence school-based research?

Age, gender, and ethnicity may affect rapport with pupils or staff and influence data validity.

What method did Lacey use in his research on streaming at Hightown Grammar?

Participant observation and interviews; found streaming led to anti-school subcultures.

Why is informed consent particularly important when researching school pupils?

Pupils are a vulnerable group; parental consent is usually required, and researchers must avoid harm.