Researching Teachers

Researching Teachers

1. Power and Status

   • Teacher take a 'my classroom' approach. The researcher may be seen as a trespassers.
   • Researchers wanting to gain covert access may be doing so within groups of lower status.

2. Impression Management

   • Teachers are used to observation
   • Researchers may struggle to view the person behind the 'put on' public face.
   • Staff may reject certain questions due to career impact. E.g. negative comments towards boss or school
   • Researcher can overcome issues by using observations in staffroom.
   • Headteachers may select favourable teachers for research