3.14 methods in context

What is Methods in Context?

• Applying research methods to a specific educational setting/topic.

• Must evaluate methods in relation to the context given.

Common education topics

• Labelling

• Hidden curriculum

• Anti-school subcultures

• Differential achievement

• Educational policy

How to Contextualise Answers. Always consider:

WHO?

• Teachers?

• Pupils?

• Parents?

• Sensitive groups?

WHAT?

• What topic is being studied?

• Is it sensitive or controversial?

WHERE?

• School setting?

• Classroom?

• Playground?

Hawthorne Effect in Education Research

Definition

• People change behaviour because they know they are being studied.

Example

• Teachers behaving differently during observation.

Solution

• Covert observation may reduce Hawthorne Effect.

Hidden Curriculum

Definition

• Unofficial values and norms taught in schools.

Examples

• Obedience

• Respect for authority

• Timekeeping

• Competition

Researching Hidden Curriculum

Problems - Gatekeepers

• Headteachers may deny access.

• Schools protect reputation.

Validity

• Teachers may hide true opinions.

• Interviews may produce socially desirable answers.

Observation

• Participant observation may reveal hidden behaviour.

Best methods

• Participant observation

• Unstructured interviews

Differential Achievement

Definition

Differences in educational achievement based on:

• Class

• Gender

• Ethnicity

Using Official Statistics

Strengths

• Large-scale data

• Reliable

• Shows patterns/trends

Weaknesses

• Limited validity

• Cannot explain meanings

• Social factors difficult to measure

Examples of factors

In-school factors

• Labelling

• Teacher expectations

• Setting/streaming

Out-of-school factors

• Poverty

• Material deprivation

• Family background

Teacher Labelling

Definition

Teachers attach labels to pupils based on assumptions.

Positive labels

• “Bright”

• “Hard-working”

Negative labels

• “Troublemaker”

• “Low ability”

Researching Teacher Labelling

Ethical issues

• Pupils under 18 require parental consent.

• Sensitive topic.

Validity problems

• Teachers may not admit bias openly.

Observation

• Overt observation may change teacher behaviour.

• Covert observation may increase validity.

Best methods

• Field experiments

• Observation

Anti-School Subcultures

Definition

Groups of pupils rejecting school values.

Characteristics

• Opposition to authority

• Disruption

• Anti-education attitudes

Example

• Paul Willis’ “lads”

Researching Anti-School Subcultures

Participant Observation

Strengths

• High validity

• Rich qualitative insight

• Understand meanings and group culture

Weaknesses

• Access

• Difficult to gain trust.

Gatekeepers

• Schools may refuse permission.

Ethics

• Deception often needed.

• Risk to researcher.

Hawthorne Effect

• Overt observation changes behaviour.

Worked Example :Participant Observation & Anti-School Subcultures

Strengths

• Produces detailed qualitative data.

• Researcher gains empathy and understanding.

• Can uncover hidden group norms.

• Useful for understanding identity and resistance.

Weaknesses

• Difficult access to schools/pupils.

• Parents and teachers may refuse consent.

• Researcher may “go native.”

• Covert observation creates ethical concerns.

• Time-consuming.

Example

• Willis used participant observation to study “the lads.”

Educational Policy - Examples

• Marketisation

• Academies

• League tables

• GCSE reforms

Researching Educational Policy

Official Statistics

Strengths

• Measure trends over time.

• Large representative data sets.

Weaknesses

• Statistics may be manipulated politically.

• Do not explain why patterns occur.

Interviews - problems

• Politicians may give biased answers.

• Schools may protect reputation.

Structuring a Methods in Context Essay

Introduction

• Define method + topic briefly.

Main Paragraphs

For every paragraph:

1. Identify a strength/weakness.

2. Contextualise to education topic.

3. Apply CORRPET.

4. Link to theory where possible.

Conclusion

• Decide whether method is effective overall.

• Suggest alternative methods if useful.

Useful Contextual Points

Gatekeepers - People controlling access:

• Headteachers

• Parents

• Local authorities

Sensitive Topics

Research may involve:

• Bullying

• Racism

• Teacher bias

• Crime/drugs

• Truancy

Triangulation

Using more than one method to improve validity.

Example

• Observation + interviews + statistics

Common Methods Used in Education Research

Quick Method Comparisons

Key Thinkers Mentioned