methods in context

methods in context

1. sociologists sometimes use experiments to study issues such as:

   • - teacher expectations
     • - classroom interaction
       • - labelling
         • pupils' self concepts
           • - the self fulfilling prophecy

2. Some researchers use lab experiments to investigate teacher expectations. Such as Harvey and Slatin (1976) who examined whether teachers had preconceived ideas about pupils from different social classes.

   • Ethical issues was not a problem in Harvey and Slatin's study. However in Charkin et al they used real students. This raises ethical issues such as VULNERABILITY, and their ability to UNDERSTAND what is happening which means they are at a greater risk of DECEPTION. Lack of informed CONSENT and PSYCHOLOGICAL damage
     • Rosenthal and Jacobson's study at a primary school meant that some children were held back educationally as they did not receive enough attention. However children are more protected now because of certain laws that will stop the same thing happening again.

3. L - location

   • I - Issues
     • P - Participants
       • P - Practical
         • E - Ethical
           • T - Theoretical

4. You have to consider different factors when doing an experiment e.g if it is in a school, how easily accessible is are the participants, are gate keepers in the way?

   • reliability - it is easy to replicate some experiments because of the variables in them.
     • validity - you also need to test how valid your claim is with evidence to provide or else it will be classed as false.

5. Narrow Focus - Charkin et al idetifies the existence of positive and negative body language, they did not examine how it might affect pupils performance.

   • Practical problems - these can include the fact that schools are large, complex institutions in which many variables may affect teacher expectations. for example, their expectations may be influenced by class size, streaming, type of school and so on.. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL ALL VARIABLES.
   • This can also be a issue for artificiality, as in Charkin et al they used university students instead of teachers and in Harvey and Slatin they used photographs. It is unlikely that university students think the same way as expereinced teachers and that expectations are based more than just appearance.

6. ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES of the research method.