Methods in Context – Pupils and Teachers

PUPILS:

• Power and Status:

  • Less power and status than adults.

  • More difficult for them to state their views openly, especially if challenging adult views.

  • Schools are hierarchal institutions that give teachers power over pupils.

  • Teachers can sometimes use this power to influence which students are selected for research.

  • Structured interviews or questionnaires tend to reinforce power differences as the researcher is the one who determines what questions are asked and how answers should be formulated.

  • Group interviews may be better than one-to-one formal interviews at reducing power differences.

    • However, some power and status differences will remain.

  • The pupils’ attitude to the power differences has an effect as well – those who resent the power of teachers are less likely to cooperate in sociological research.

    • Alternatively, those pupils may feel empowered and see the research as their chance to say how they feel about school.

• Ability and Understanding:

  • Vocabulary, thinking skills and confidence are likely to be more limited than adults – particularly when expressing abstract concepts.

  • Abstract concepts are central to sociological research – therefore careful planning of questions is needed to ensure the pupil understands.